Today is the last day of my 80-day weekend. Wow, I bet you feel sorry for me, don’t you?! It’s weird when you type it out like that. I was unemployed for just shy of three months but when you say 80 days, it seems like so much longer!
As excited as I am about my new job and getting back into the work force in general, I have to say that I am a bit nervous. Not really about my actual job, but more just starting something new. I’ve kind of been edgy all weekend. I know that the second I set foot in the building tomorrow morning, I’ll feel fine but the anticipation drives me crazy.
I was going to do my 7-mile run yesterday but it rained all day so I had to postpone it until today. I really prefer getting my long run over with and doing it on Saturday but not so much that I wanted to either run in the rain or do 7 miles on the treadmill.
So I ran this morning. I was hoping that the run get rid of some of this nervous energy. It didn’t. It was an okay run, but the whole time I felt so slow. Here are my splits:
Mile 1 – 12:37 (walked the first .25 miles)
Mile 2 – 10:41
Mile 3 – 9:28 (this has a big downhill)
Mile 4 – 11:37 (walked some)
Mile 5 – 10:51
Mile 6 – 11:11
Mile 7 – 10:26
I know that it’s great that I can run seven miles and all, but I sometimes get so frustrated at my speed, or lack there of. I know that if I want to get faster, I need to run faster and I try to, but sometimes it’s just so hard. It’s just kind of disheartening to run as much as I do and be the speed that I am. I know that plenty of other people run at the same speed that I do or slower and while I think that is fine for them, it’s not fine for me because I don’t feel fine about it. I’ve been running half-marathons for seven years. My time has not improved and that’s annoying. It’s kind of the same way I feel about weight loss. I eat well, I run a lot, and the scale doesn’t budge. Annoying and frustrating.
What this has to do with being nervous about work, I don’t know. Jason told me to do something nice for myself, so I got a manicure and took a bizarro picture of it. I promise I don’t have mutant hands that are bigger than my head.
I’ll stop with the whining now. I’m annoying myself. I promise I’ll feel better tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Aw friend, you’re gonna be great tomorrow!! I’m SO excited for you and the new gig! On the running front? You’re a runner. Bottom line. Speed doesn’t always have to be the be all end all, right? If you can run a race you’re proud of? That means way more in my book than the time on the finishing clock, you know?
Good luck with your first day on the new job! My run times are very similar to yours, I can’t seem to improve my times, and I sometimes feel the exact same way about it as you do. But mostly I’m just happy to be out there. Running makes me happy, even if it’s s-l-o-w.
Goodluck! You will be great! I recently started substitute teaching and it was nerve racking going to schools I had never been to before but once I go a few regulars I felt a lot better!
Good luck tomorrow! Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
That nervous feeling is totally understandable !! You will rock it. Love the nails
Good luck tomorrow, Lee! You’re going to do great tomorrow
Good luck tomorrow Lee!
You’ll do GREAT! And glad to hear you treated yourself to a manicure.
Good luck with the new job!!!
Yay for manicures!!
You’ll be great tomorrow- I hope you get some sleep! (I know I always have a hard time sleeping the night before something new!)
You’re going to do great! Savor the fresh start and all the opportunity that lies ahead.
Best of luck to you, Lee! (those three months went by quickly – wow!)
Good luck tomorrow!!
As for speed – as much as I HATE the treadmill – I do think it’s made me faster. It so much harder to slack off on it for some reason! I also think taking a lot of spin classes helps me build my endurance. I’ve noticed a huge difference since I’ve started spinning 2-3 times a week. But really, running is still running and it’s awesome that you are getting out there!
good luck with the first day tomorrow! do you have your outfit picked out yet? also, be careful in the morning. the weather is supposed to be bad!
Have a great first day!
I typically run slower than that!! Have you thought about doing speed drills? Or adding more lower body strength work?
I’m sure you’re rocking your new job right now
Good luck tomorrow!! Love the 80 day weekend, that’s funny. But so great that you got a job relatively quickly, all things considered. As for running, I obviously hear you and worry that all of my speed work inside WILL NOT translate outside when I can run outside more. I also need to apply myself more when I run outside to run faster, but it is hard. very hard. And your pace is still great, and you are hitting some great miles!
It’s always nerve-wracking the day before a new job, but you’ll be great! Hope you have an awesome first day!
Starting a new job – even within the same company – can be nerve racking, so don’t worry, you’re normal. Can’t wait to hear all about the first day!!
Haha.. 80 day weekend made me laugh. Hope you love the new gig!
Hope the first day went well, Lee!! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
It stinks when you’re so nervous about something that it affects your mood for everything else. I’m glad you are feeling better now!
And, being slow isn’t a bad thing but I understand what you are saying- I would also get frustrated. Just keep working and be proud of what you do accomplish! 7 miles is amazing! 