Wednesday, October 10, 2012

I Know This Much is True

I thought I'd mix things up a bit and talk about something besides running for a change!  Here are some of the thoughts that have crossed my mind, lately, in bullet point form...

I know...

- I could not would not want to sustain a relationship or be a parent and travel as much as I have lately for work.  I am ok with it now since I am single and childless, but I so could not do this if I had a spouse or children.  It's been good for my career and has pushed me to grow in my position, but it's really hard to be gone every week for 6 weeks in a row, to different cities in different parts of the country.  I know people have this kind of schedule and have a family but I just don't see that happening for myself.

- we all have 24 hours in the day, and 365 (or 366) days in our year.  To me, that means we should stop saying, "I don't have time to do X" and instead say "I don't choose to spend my time doing X."  I try to be mindful of this when speaking to others.

- where I am right now in my life is exactly where I am supposed to be, but I don't know that it's where I will be long term as things like dreams about moving to Chicago make me wonder if a move is in my future (not anytime remotely soon).

- it is far too soon to be having bad dreams about failing Level 3 of the CFA.  The test is in June for cripes sake.

- I will do everything in my power to pass Level 3 so that I can fully have control of my life and schedule once again - and never have to experience an "I didn't pass" nightmare again.

- I will run marathons for the forseeable future, and plan to run Chicago in 2013, and Paris and Twin Cities in 2014.

- joining my running club was the best fitness-related decision I have ever made.  I don't know what I would do without the coaches and the friends I've made in the group!

- at this point, I could not fathom moving back out to the suburbs.  To each their own - I know the city is not for everyone.  But at this point, it is for me!

Ok, your turn, finish the sentence, "I know..."

I leave for Philadelphia today, come back Friday, and go straight from the airport to my aunt & uncle's for a final round of Julia Child Night recipe testing!  I am glad I have something very exciting to look forward to upon my return!  I can't tell you how excited I am to see my "St. Paul parents" and eat a delicious, gourmet, home cooked meal!!  I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

26 comments:

Caroline said...

Fun post! I love Chicago.. I could definitely live there if it wasn't so far from my family. I've been wanting to join a running club for so long, but this injury has been persistant! I think there is a good one in my hometown too...

I know.. I can be a successful photographer if I put my mind to it and stop letting doubt interfere.

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I hope I can come to Chicago and watch you and Amber run it next year. I'm an expert on watching that marathon after watching Caroline last year :)

Also I could not travel for work- sometimes I get jealous of people who do since I clearly love to travel and building up the miles would be amazing but I know I couldn't do it at the same time, maybe with a husband but definitely not with kids. My dad traveled a lot when I was younger and I never knew where he was half the time. On Sept 11th people kept asking me if he was flying that day and I was like who knows? Turns out he was supposed to fly out but his plane got canceled because it was later in the morning, thank goodness! Also worth noting I couldn't be married to someone who constantly traveled either haha.

Marlys said...

Traveling all the time would not agree with me, as I love being "home" at night! I feel for people who have to travel all the time for their jobs!
Have a good trip and a fun night when you return!

abbi said...

Have another good trip...no way I could keep up with that travelling schedule. I completely agree with you on your 2nd point but sometimes have to watch myself in doing the same thing even though it annoys me when others say they don't have time for something!!

Leigh said...

I agree with your point about people saying they don't have time for X and Y. You have to make time if you want to do those things. Especially when it comes to exercising!

Running a marathon has been crossing my mind a lot lately....still can't decide though!

BetsE said...

I love your comment on making time for things. I could not agree more. It bothers me to no end when some people say to me...."how do you have the time to do that? I'm so busy!" I'm busy too, but I choose to do things differently with my time! It's all about what we feel is important to fit into our busy schedule.

missris said...

Chicago Chicago Chicago! The longer we're away, the more D and I talk about making our dream of moving back a reality. And I'm totally committed to running the Chicago marathon next year, hoping registration doesn't fill up before I have time to sign up. How cool would it be if we both lived there?! Ok sorry, Chicago rant over. I also couldn't imagine being a spouse or parent and traveling so much. I have a friend whose husband is an ER doctor and his crazy schedule is so hard on both of them, with two little kids thrown in the mix. Exhausting!

Raquelita said...

I know I can't wait to hear more about your marathon plans! I really hope that I can lay my summer research plans out so that I can run Chicago in the fall, too. I'm going to register and hope for the best. I figure if I can get back from Europe and the archives by mid-June it should be doable so long as I keep my mileage up while I'm there.

I know I'm going to have spend a lot of time doing my least favorite work activity - grading - over the next few days. Extra coffee will probably be involved.

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Yes, Chicago, YES YES YES!!! I mean, if you're still having thoughts of this city as being a place you should live, then I'm going to start to torture you with reasons why. =D

Also, I love that you (and Amber!) are planning to run Chicago in 2013! Maybe I need to get my ass in better running shape, so I can jump in with you at different points of the race (if needed, of course!). While we might not be able to house you guys, I can definitely sign up to make dinner the night before (trust me, restaurants around here are PACKED with the carb-loading crowd that Saturday night).

And with that, I left a huge long comment all about you and Chicago. hint hint hint

Stephany said...

Oh man. I'm not sure how you manage with that travel schedule. I would be so worn out! I hope things calm down for you soon.

I'd love to visit Chicago someday, not sure I'd want to live there (this Florida girl couldn't handle a winter, I don't think!) but it would be fun to visit!

Alli said...

I think we need to organize a big blogger contingent to come see you and Amber run the Chicago marathon!

Marisa A. said...

I know what you mean about living in the 'burbs. While we don't live downtown, we are just a hop skip and a jump from, well both really downtowns these days. But after working in Maple Grove since I moved up here I don't think I could ever live in a true suburb. It's just so far from everything.

Amber said...

We've talked about this lots so you already know how much I agree with your point of saying "I don't choose to spend my time doing xyz"

I really like this post idea and I think I will have to do it soon :)

J said...

Have a safe trip. I am headed to Michigan for work tonight, back on Friday night. It can be exhausting traveling.

San said...

I guess you're right... we should say "I don't chose to spend time on X"... but the thing is: I have so many things that I want to do and they can't all be priorities (and work for example comes before play, unfortunately ;))

Have a great trip and get some rest when you get home.

Elizabeth said...

Enjoy your most recent travels! I can definitely see how so much travel would be tiring but I love how you're able to balance the fun and work travels together. Sort of keeps the fun in it all! I could imagine that you have some great transitions coming up in the next few years--while hardly knowing you, I just have this good feeling about it all for you. :) Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

This was a fun read, Lisa. Have a good trip and we'll see you on Friday.

Becky said...

"I don't choose to spend my time doing X."

SUCH a good point! And wahoo for a Paris marathon!

I know that as much as I would love to be a freelancer/writer/blogger full-time right now a steady job (and regular hours) really work for me. Since Ben's schedule can change week to week it's nice to have one of our schedules set.

Good luck with your Philly trip!

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

hope you have a good rest of your week!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I know ... that I am capable of more than I realize.

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

Whew! May God bless your next few years with lots of rest, sleep and relaxation! ;) You are a busy woman. But your Julia Child night always sounds fun.

Love your dress (both cut and color) from Norah's wedding.

Lisa-Marie said...

This shows you have excellent knowledge of who you are and who/what you want to be.

I know that I am happy with a fairly simple life. :)

Abby said...

This is a fun post! Get some rest between all this traveling, please, so you don't get run down or sick! However, I know you like to have a life outside working all the time!

Have a great weekend!! Sounds like it's going to be a great one!

It is such a good feeling when you finally decide you're living where you want to live. I have definitely made the decision that I need to live in a warm climate. The only time of the year that I feel dislike is September-October, when I'm sick and tired of the heat!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

So when do you slow down? Do you have any less busy months!? It seems like you have been running this way and that a lot lately! As for the traveling, I love it, and would do it in a heartbeat, but you are right about a few things. It's hard to do when you are in a relationship, I wouldn't want to do it if I had kids, and it wreaks havoc on training, that's for sure!

As for the "busy" thing, you and I have talked about this before, but it's a huge pet peeve of mine when people say that they are SO busy / too busy. I have had a post in the works for a while about this, but I have been "too busy" to finish and post it! :)

Jeanie said...

You have one solid head on those shoulders. Good for you! I love how you think -- it will take you very far indeed!

I'm eager to hear more about Julia Child night. I can't wait till it actually happens and hear more about it!

Melissa said...

Love this! I agree with so many of your points. I feel the same way about travel and family. I LOVE traveling and have even considered some kind of career with it, but can't imagine having a family and traveling as much as I'd want to right now. I guess it's a good thing I'm waiting to settle down!

So cool that you'll be running Paris in 2014. What an amazing experience that's going to be!