Sunday, March 21, 2010

4 Weeks Left!

So many things to discuss.

1st, the most important news that has been weighing on my mind for a long time now. I QUIT MY JOB. Yes, I did. I never thought I'd be the type of person to walk away from a job, especially when things are like they are, but I did it. A lot of hemming and hawing went into this but I am so glad the decision is made. I am going to pursue a totally different career path and probably lifestyle. I'm going to become a certified yoga instructor with the intention of opening a studio in Vancouver, WA. A change like this has always been in the back of my mind and the timing was right to make it happen now. I have been really unhappy with my job for a long time for many reasons. It became evident recently that things were not going to change anytime soon. All of these factors in play made it a lot easier to make this choice. My last day is either 4/2 or 4/9, but I'm shooting for 4/2. I'm transferring all of my projects to other people which has also been rough. Even though I put my notice in over a week ago I am still waking up in the middle of the night worrying about work. I really hope this ends, and soon.

The best part of this is that the teacher training doesn't start until the fall so I am going to have a lot of free time between now and then. I'm the type to worry about everything and one of my fears is that I'll become a lazy, bored, overweight alcoholic. That's not very positive is it? The good part is that in my 32 years I've learned that I actually do have control over everything and there is NO WAY I'd let any of that happen. In my spare time I've been writing up lists galore and it is helping me look forward to it.

There is no time in my life I think I'd be able to follow this path. Soon we'll have kids crawling all over us (maybe 2 years or so?) so the time for this change is now. Reading this article helped push me toward my decision. There are a lot of other factors that helped justify this as well so if you're struggling with the same decision let me know if you want to talk more! I am very fortunate to have saved up money and to be able to lean on my husband, who is 100% supportive and on board. I wouldn't have put us in this position if we couldn't manage financially.

I am really excited about the yoga path and have a lot of ideas. I'm planning out what I will do over the summer to prepare for the training (practicing a LOT, learning & reading a LOT) but I am also planning beyond that. I'm going to write a business plan for the potential studio and work on outreach stuff too. I really want to donate teaching to those that don't have access to it. I'll share some of those thoughts as I move forward and probably look for feedback. There are two local yoga NFPs and I'm hoping to work with one of them over the summer. I also want to find a studio that I could volunteer at so I can learn more of the business side of running a studio. If anyone reading this has resources that you could point me to that would be awesome. I'm talking yoga teachers, studio owners, etc. I'm trying to talk with everyone I can right now, doesn't matter where they are located.

There is so much more I could ramble on about but that's about the gist of it.

I AM SO EXCITED.

On to training. Boston is 4 weeks from tomorrow! Training has been going so-so lately and I've cut a lot of runs short. I'm just so tired. And sick of it. I started feeling sick a few days ago and was worried how that would affect my 20 miler today. For the first time I planned to go out relatively early and just get it over with. I ended up leaving at 10:40 after a breakkie of coffee and 2 pieces of french toast with peanut butter and syrup. Damn good meal. (I have also been eating like a hog lately and loving it, despite its disgustingness.)

I set out with no goals other than to not have to call someone to pick me up. I went out easy so my legs would get tight early. Lately they've been starting to hurt really early, like mile 7 or 8. I end up pushing through it and generally it goes away, or I get used to it, but it sucks. And it worries me. I'm always worried.

I'm not going to go through all of the splits but I was basically all over the board from 8:20s to low 9:00s. I ended up averaging 8:35 which I felt was quite impressive for where I am in my training. I was expecting to go a lot slower. And it felt...okay. Like, yes, it was hard, how couldn't it be, but it was not worse than shorter long runs and actually better than any of my long runs so far. I'm not even really tired now? Isn't that weird and awesome? When I was nearing home (I did a 20 mile loop from home) I had to stop at a light and saw I had 0.7 miles left. I felt like I had a lot left in my tank so decided to go fast until I hit 20. I ended the run with a 7:30 mile. TAKE THAT!

I don't know who I'm talking shit to - perhaps my persona that doesn't think I'm good enough, smart enough and doggone it no one likes me! So take that you fool.

6 comments:

jen said...

Congrats again on the big work move, I am so proud of you and behind you 100%. You're going to be amazing! I can't wait to see how it all plays out. No doubt you will be successful.

You're on track to have a great time in Boston. Yay all around! Yay you! :)

Anonymous said...

Very exciting! I wish you all the best!

Alisa said...

I'm excited to be your YOGA guiney pig!

You are amazing for knowing enough about yourself and your happiness to have the courage to quit your job. GO YOU!!! Can't wait to hear all about your business plan going forward =).

And, damn 7:30 last mile of a 20 mile run--NICE.

Marathon Maritza said...

Hurray for taking your life into your own hands and doing what you like! I'm so excited to hear all about this new life adventure!

And great job on your 20!!!

Jen Rife said...

Congrats on following through with your dreams. So few people have the guts to do that. Bravo to you!

Denise said...

good for you!!! i'm hoping to do the same some day when i have my personal training certification. it will be so hard to leave the golden handcuffs of the pharm industry, but i feel like i need to take the leap.