About three years ago, I came to the realization that there was only one time of year when we could take family vacations: the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Sure, the flights are crowded and yes, both of our families are irritated that we don’t come home for the holidays, but to me, it’s…
Tag Archive: balance
Not My Job. Or Is It?
We sat at breakfast one Wednesday morning, and I was recapping the previous night’s Team in Training run with my then 3-year-old son. He listened carefully as I talked about our tempo run, and seemed deep in thought as he ate his oatmeal. “Is running your job?” he asked between bites. “No,” I explained. “I’m…
I Am Taking the Day Off
I am taking the day off. It’s my birthday; I will not work today. Oh sure, I’ve made myself available to clients every night, weekend, sick day, vacation day and holiday for the last three years, but not today. Today I will spend the entire day doing what I want to do. I will run…
Back in the Groove
The first step to a serious training plan? Make time for it. Such a pitifully obvious revelation, and yet I hadn’t been doing it. Last month, I scheduled my kickboxing classes into my Tuesdays and Thursdays, blocking off the time as though they were recurring client meetings. I’ve been really good about sticking to that…
The 3rd 40: Day 34
When you start with a 6:30 run and end it with an 11:30 phone call home, it makes for a very long day. Some highlights from Sunday: After Google Maps listed only Starbucks locations that were behind locked doors in office buildings, I assumed that I would have to order room service to get a…
The Power of Food
On three separate occasions this past week, I’ve had the same conversation. “I checked out your blog,” they all said. “I love the recipes!” This always blows me away. I started posting the recipes just because I have a personal tendency to print out a new one, modify it in some way, and then proceed…
The 3rd 40: Day 27
It was a 100% work-free day (with the exception of the time I spent jotting down ideas into an email on my iPhone at the A’s game… yes, I have problems). Every Sunday I wake up with the intention of going to kickboxing at 9:00. The problem with that plan is that it interferes with…
The 3rd 40: Days 25 and 26
The weather in California has been less than stellar this winter. Yes, I know, boo-hoo; tell that sob story to the east coasters who endured multiple blizzards. And yet, I can’t recall more consistent rain in the 11 years that we’ve lived here. So the weekend weather forecast — mid-70s and sunny — had me…
The 3rd 40: Days 21-24
I haven’t been the best at updating this, have I? I’ve turned a corner with kickboxing. I went on Tuesday and even though I could feel the exertion in my muscles, I never actually hurt. I went back this morning and felt like I was in a really good groove. I’m far from the best…
Seeking Balance: The 3rd 40
A couple of things happened this week, the sorts of things that made me quickly realize that I need a plan of attack. The first was that I got a new client with a fairly significant project that will keep me hopping for the next three months. This is fantastic, of course. New clients are…