There is a LOT going on in my life right now, so I think Tina’s High Low High is an awesome format right here.
HIGH:
I just got back from an awesome workout at Uplift.
LOW:
While I could certainly work out during the day at my job…
As of last Monday, I am no longer with my job. It was certainly a surprise, shock and disappointment, but I am grateful for an amazing four years there and to walk away with so many colleagues turned friends.
I went back to work the week after my mom’s funeral, so a little downtime after the most stressful year of my life is really a blessing in disguise right now.
In the interim, I’m looking for some freelance writing and social media consulting work, and I would be incredibly grateful for any leads! My email is theodora at preppyrunner dot com. I’m not currently in a rush yet to get back to an office, and I truly am excited (and OK, yes, a little terrified) of this whole “the world is my oyster” thing.
Accordingly, I am FINALLY actually taking my NASM test, now that I have no excuse not to study with this extra time on my hands!
HIGH:
I am so excited to head to PA this weekend for the Runner’s World Half Marathon + Festival! I know this is super late in the game, but if you’re interested, you can use the code PREPPYRUNNER for 10% off — AND! I have one entry to give away, and I’ll give it to the first person to comment.
LOW:
My poor sweet dad needs another knee replacement. His original replacement came loose this year and he couldn’t really attend to it while taking care of my mom. At least I have the time now to go out and take care of him…
HIGH:
My half-assed marathon training is going as well as half-assed marathon training can!
Shameless plug: I’m raising money for the New York Junior League to help women and children in NYC and you can donate here. I’m SO close to my goal!
For most of the summer, after losing my mom, I had zero desire to run any long distance. A few miles that I could run/walk through my tears? Sure. Being out there for hours on end? Meh. But around September, I decided that yes, I was in this. I’ve just been trying to build as best I can, and last weekend I ran 17 with my sweet friend Leah (on the left above) and we will probably run the marathon together. It went…fine. It didn’t feel super terrible, it didn’t feel easy, for sure, but, it was fine, and I wasn’t sore at all the day after, which I take as a good sign. Depending on how the RW weekend goes this weekend, I am going to attempt to build up to 18-20 on Sunday.
High/Low?
I’ve been attempting to read what I can to understand this grief process and to understand what I’m going through. There’s a woman named Claire Bidwell Smith, who is an amazing writer. I’ve read her After This and am currently reading her Rules of Inheritance. She’s coming to NYC next month to speak on a panel, and I bought a ticket yesterday. I hate that I have a need to have a “favorite” grief writer, but holy shit is her work impactful to me. She was also an only child, and I have already listened to the first episode of her podcast several times, so much does it speak to my experience of navigating this experience without siblings. (She also just has a really soothing voice.) She’s also speaking with Hope Edelman, author of Motherless Daughters, which is also on my list, but I know it will be a really tough read.
High
That’s a serious note to end this post on…so here’s a meme.
Advice on career planning/career planning resources?
Fave tacos?
Who else is running NYCM?
Thank you for sharing about that panel. I may attend.
Good luck in NYCM!
Ugh I’m so sorry to hear about your job. Sounds like you have the right attitude though. There is something so much bigger waiting for you….
Said from a girl who was laid off 3 Year’s ago before thanksgiving 🙂 (then found a better job with better pay!)
On Oprah’s podcast – super soul conversations – she recently posted a 2 part interview with Nate Berkus (I actually think the interview was a couple years old) but a lot of it focused on grief and it was POWERFUL. Consider checking it out.
you’re having quite the year. sending you good vibes. i got laid off once (if thats what happened here) and it mentally f-ed w/ me. happy to chat if it would help. everything turned out ok in the end, as it tends too. im also running the NYCM (my FIRST!)
xo
You are having quite a year, sorry for the lows, and the losses. My dad has spent the last year in knee -replacement-hell. He’s had both his knees done, but then had an infection last year, so they took it out, then put it back in… and sure enough it got infected again. So right now he is “knee replacement-less”. Who knew you could get around (kinda) with just a spacer in your knee? Hopefully he’ll get the infection kicked this time. It does put a cramp in your lifestyle. It’s a good thing that you can be there for your Dad. I’m sure that will mean the world to him.
I live in Bethlehem where the Runner’s Work race is this weekend! If you need any suggestions for places to eat, I would be more than happy to give you a few! I hope the race goes well for you and gives you a confidence boost to run the NYCM!
I just wanted to say, hugs! and hang in there. You have definitely had a tough year. I have been laid off 4 times. I can say that it is obviously always tough but each time has opened a door to an amazing better (and better paying!) opportunity. So in retrospect I always look back and am thankful to have gone through it. I hope that you have the same experience and some good karma is definitely due to you.
Don’t have anything helpful to say except I’m sending good thoughts and alpaca wishes, and I’m glad you can be there for your dad. My fiance’s dad just did his second knee this year and both times it was just a LOT of work. We wished we could have been closer to help; they’re in AZ. I know your dad will really appreciate having you around.
It sounds like you have a good attitude regarding your work situation. May I say this may be a blessing so that you can focus on you and all that you have been through? Sometimes things work out so that we have the space to move forward and grow! A great book that I read while going through a rough time & great loss was Broken Open by Elizabeth Lesser. She is the co-founder of the Omega Institute and has been on Oprah several times – Elizabeth Lesser is amazing! Regarding the job hunt – re-frame that term to visualize this as career advancement/development – what more do you want to learn and accomplish to further your career and achieve your goals? Turn to your network of people who have these skills or work in such environments to talk to and ask them for help. Then ask them to suggest someone else you could speak to & set up an informational interview. This creates a more aspirational and forward thinking mindset rather than task driven – moving from job hunting to that of career advancement. Also gives you room to explore while you take time to take care of your Dad and yourself!!!!
And in addition – I don’t know you, stumbled across your blog a long time ago and am so impressed with all that you have worked so hard for and achieved. My heart broke when I read the post of your Mom’s passing, sobbed while reading those words as one who has experienced a similar battle with a loved one. You’re an amazing person and I wish you much happiness and success!