Layoff Dayoff #2 (...69)

All week my running pal Mark said we were going to "crush it" on our Saturday morning run.  This made me dread my early morning workout today...anticipating the discomfort of an uncomfortable pace.  7AM felt painfully early and 55 with no sun felt chilly.  But we did crush it...sort of...maybe not for some folks, but for me, an 8 minute pace is really very tough to sustain for 15 miles.  The rest of the day my legs felt crushed.  And the rest of me too.  But a nice kind of crushed.  It's a good exhausted feeling that makes the simplest things, like eating a good meal, having a cup of coffee, and sitting on the sofa feel far better than usual.

Layoff Dayoff (...82)

After a group bike/run/bike adventure today I'm too exhausted to write, so I've been staring out my window for the last hour.  Plus, a gal should rest once in a while and enjoy a day off from layoff talk.  No layoff talking, writing, researching, or planning.  It's hard to do and I've broken this rule a few times already today.  Next Sunday I'll take a 2nd stab at it.

Workin' it out (...83)

12 mile run in Boston

Today I added the "Daily Mile" widget to my blog.  Once I joined dailymile.com, it's a simple click and the widget appears.  What a fun way to track my miles!

Since this blog is about finding satisfying work, I think it makes sense to take note of the things I firmly sink my teeth into on a regular basis.  My training is the first thing that comes to mind.  I'm a happy person if I can fit in a weekly swim, bike and run workout.  I'm even more delighted if I can train with friends and see cool sites.  An example:  This morning a 12 mile run with a friend took us through Boston, along the harbor, and back into the city.  It was a windy, arduous workout.  And invigorating!

Several things draw me to train: the health benefits, the fun of competition, and my friends.  But I think what stands out most is the experience of continuously improving on my fitness and skill.  In regards to training, slowly and steadily learning to master my sport is the only carrot I need. 

Can I find this type of experience in my next job?  I want to be in a workplace environment where my efforts are encouraged and my development as an employee is connected to the success of the company.  Too few times have I felt this was the case.  More often, I've been given the impression that sticking to the routine was valued more than trying to improve the routine.  It's the kind of experience that makes me want to go for a run.