There, I admit it: running is running my life. I run to live, and I sometimes feel as though I live to run. I'll never be a seeded or elite runner, but, that's not why I run. I run to keep my joints healthy, try to keep my weight under control, deal with high cholesterol and heart health. I wasn't always a runner; I started late in life, but I love my endorphins! I'm passionate about this sport; I can't stop talking about it; I have my own running team!
However, my training schedule is taking a toll. Lately, I've been experiencing severe drowsiness and fight falling asleep at my desk as early as mid-morning (used to be at 2:26 p.m. almost on the dot daily). I know it's because I don't get enough sleep, and I don't sleep well.
So, after this season's commitments and races are done, I promised myself I'll take it easier next season. That's a good six months out, but, I've already cut out, or cut back, a few events between now and then.
Do you ever feel as though something you're passionate about actually runs your life?
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2:26 is the magic time for me to start nodding off, I have no idea why, lol! I think it may be the number of hours I would have been awake plus digesting lunch, who knows! Because I'm up, or at least awake, by 5-5:30 a.m. every day, even weekends, my day has already been around 9 hours long by 2:26; it would have been a good couple of hours since lunch (we usually break around 11:30 around the office), and it would be time for an afternoon snack. I don't sleep in unless I'm ill or medicated.
One of the fellows at work was complaining about this very thing, too. His morning starts about the same time as mine, he goes out to the lake to row a few miles (he's on a Master's crew), and has been having a terrible time staying awake (he admitted to having fallen completely asleep the other day).
The past couple of days, as soon as I feel the doldrums coming on, I get up and take the stairs up to my boss's office on the second floor, or take a walk around the building outside.
Years ago, when I used to hold time management seminars, I read something about how each of us has an internal clock and a time of day when we shut down. Some people perform best in the morning and meet the doldrums in the afternoon; so they should schedule "brainless" tasks during down time. Others should schedule those tasks in the morning and meetings later in the day when they are the most mentally alert.
As for how to not get caught up in the momentum of our activities we're passionate about, that's a tough question to answer. Exhaustion shouldn't be the answer; ideally, we'd be more disciplined. I think we have to be more diligent about saying "no."
July 23, 2008 - 4:34pmThis Comment
At least you're smart enough to realize that running has become too much and you need to taper back for a little while. It's just so easy to get caught up in our passions. I tend to become very passionate about things as well. Right now, it's work. I've worked seven days a week since the middle of April (including holidays) and while I care a lot about what I do, I know it's taking its toll. My neighbor told me the other day that I've looked 'tired' lately. She's encouraging me to join her MMA class which she thinks would be a good way to back away from the computer and work off that day-to-day stress that's a part of life.
I'd be interested in knowing how you've mentally committed to cutting back on a passion. How do you not get caught up in the momentum of that passion?
I'm also interested in why you think you feel tired around 2:26 in the afternoon? About 2:15, I feel a major energy drain, not to the point where I'll nod off, but it's definitely noticeable.
July 23, 2008 - 9:08amThis Comment