Saturday, June 21, 2008

Work, Running, and Cookies!

I’m enjoying the new job, although projects seem to be piling up at a rapid rate. I feel like I should be able to get through them faster, but I still spend a lot of time hunting around the computer files for the right templates, the right databases, the right reports, etc. It’s the sort of problem that will resolve itself in another few weeks, but in the meantime I keep having to remind myself that it’s okay to be slow. I’ve spent 2.5 of my first 10 days in training and conferences, so I need to back off some of my expectations for myself.

In general though, the work is pleasant and straightforward. I’m nobody’s boss, but I do make decisions and have a lot of autonomy. And I get to go home for lunch! I wouldn’t have thought it would be such a big factor in my personal happiness, but it is. I can eat, get caught up on housework, play around on the computer, or even take a nap. There's no putting a price tag on something like that.

I’m going to have to do some schedule-juggling with regard to my workouts, and I’m still debating the best way to do this. I might experiment with working 8:30-5:30 on some days so I can do a longer workout in the morning. One thing is for sure—I’m sleeping more and feel a lot more rested, now that I don’t spend most of my home time working, leaving me to cram all my “me” time into the hours after midnight. I’m getting too old for that!

Today’s long run was a fun one. I explored the Brays Bayou trail a little farther, enjoying the fish and waterfowl along the way and making mental notes about safety and the availability of water and restrooms. I feel pretty good about this new route and will go farther next week to see where it takes me. I had a strong run overall and felt pretty good, except for my hip bothering me in the last few miles. So annoying.

At Dan’s request, I baked some carrot cookies tonight. I’ve had problems with this recipe being dry in the past, but tonight I added applesauce at the end, blending it in until the cookie dough was no longer crumbly. Also, I doubled the recipe and cooked it in a 9 x 13 pan. The end result was a thicker cookie that held together much better, although I still could’ve made it a little more moist. I’ve got plenty of carrots, so I’ll try again soon.

Finally, Tidbit wishes good luck to all the racers at Ironman Coeur d’Alene tomorrow. You can do it!















Recent Workouts:
Monday: 30 minute elliptical
Tuesday: 4.5 mile run
Wednesday: 40 minute spin
Thursday: 30 minute elliptical
Friday: scheduled rest day
Saturday: 20 mile run

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

>And I get to go home for lunch!

That's one of those job perqs that you can't easily translate to salarly or anything else... grats!

Jill said...

I really enjoy the Braes Bayou trail. I have ridden it several times, but I usually go to the golf course or Rice U to run. There are some places on the east side of 288 where you can get some great hill work in. I need to remember this!! Be forewarned they are doing work along the bayou in the Med Center causing detours, but otherwise it is pretty good.

Anonymous said...

sounds like the transition is going well overall... my transition has been a little bumpy too but change is nice sometimes! and i love my new mac book pro!

and tidbit looks strangely approving :-) but she should approve athletes going out and doing something great :-)

the Bag Lady said...

Glad to hear you are settling in to your new job well. And yes, being able to go home for lunch is a wonderful thing!
Tidbit looks healthy again, which is also a wonderful thing!

The Bag Lady just planted some more spinach seeds....must have lots of spinach to dehydrate. She's even thinking about how to send some to you and wondering what it looks like when it's dried? Will the Customs people think it's something that should be rolled into a paper and smoked, rather than something to be eaten? And then will the Bag Lady end up in jail? :)

RG said...

We have some "bag ladies" here that the cops don't even bother putting in jail anymore ... doesn't do any good!

Tidbit looks great ... I especially liked the photo quality when I expanded it ... does he dig into the energy beans?

Thomma Lyn said...

The new job sounds great! Awesome that you get to go home for lunch. And mmmm, the carrot cookies sound scrumptious!

Tidbit looks adorable, like such a happy little bun girl. I'm glad she's all better!

SeaBreeze said...

Carrot Cookies? I have never heard of this, but it sounds like a fantastic way to make cookie's less of a guilty pleasure.

I love your shout out to the Ironman racers. I helped out at the Half Iron Man that was held in my neck of the woods and there were some AMAZING athletes there.

Vickie said...

Please, if you know, what is that fat pouch on rabbits? My daughter's rabbit has the same thing. Is it normal?

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Vickie, female bunnies often have ruffs or dewlaps. It's mostly fur and perfectly normal. :-)