Thursday, February 07, 2008

Break from the ordinary


I have found for some reason that when I work from home, my workouts tend to slide. Typically when I work downtown Cleveland I wake up bright and early (5:25 AM) and drive the 48 miles into town, get in an hour workout, grab a shower and walk to the office. Then at lunchtime I sneak away for another hour workout and consequently another shower.

Yet on the days I work at home, I find myself sleeping in until 15 minutes before the start of the workday (7:45). Then I walk downstairs to brush my teeth, take care of the dog, grab some cereal. I return upstairs to flip on CNBC and plop down in the office chair to look at the computer.

And then I don't move...forever. Every now and then when I am dying I run downstairs to the bathroom only to return to my chair again. I usually have on workout clothes with the intention of getting in a workout mid-day, but typically this is not happening.

I guess I feel more pressure at home to feel as though I am getting crap done.

Then there is the problem that I just can't seem to get myself motivated to work out at home, in the dark in the AM, by myself. Oh the list is long some days! Yesterday it was rainy and all the trucks would have splashed me if I ran on the side of the road. Thankfully yesterdayt was salvaged by spending 2.5 hours sitting on my bike at Excel cycling!

Today I knew I needed help. At my normal lunch time run, I decided I was going to treat myself with some fresh scenery. I drove 7 miles down the road to Garrettsville to run on the Headwaters trail. As I drove there I looked at all the dirty water on the road and was so thankful I was not on the other side of the white line running in that ick!

I parked the car and hopped onto the Headwaters Trail and cranked up my tunes. The Headwaters trail is an eight-mile limestone-paved trail built on the former Cleveland-Mahoning Railroad line between Mantua and Garrettsville which provides a safe and scenic route for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.

It was just what I needed. I had set out for an easy 6 miler, but decided I needed more so I ran 8. Also lately I have been running so much with other people, that I haven't listened to my Ipod much lately, so I found myself really enjoying the tunes. The trail was pretty empty (only saw 3 other people and 2 dogs) which was good as I caught myself singing and jiving to the music a bit occasionally! The surface was perfect, with just a thin layer of snow over the limestone and my legs felt fantastic as I covered the path!

I knew I was moving along a little faster than normal, but everything just felt comfortable! I wrapped up the 8 miles in 1:04:51 at a 8:06 pace feeling very good!

It was just what I needed! Hmmm, now to con myself tomorrow!

6 comments:

tracie said...

way to go :) i have a REALLY hard time getting motivated when i work from home too. today for example i didn't shower till 11:30am. ;)

Brian said...

I think I'd be the opposite and never do work but always work out or procrastinate.

As for the trails, aren't you nervous running through the backroads of mantua.

Dana said...

It's always a challenge to get the workouts in when you're working from home. Too many distractions(or excuses) to keep you from doing it. Glad to hear that you got in those 8 miles!

Mnowac said...

Oooh to be able to cover 8 miles in a leeetle over an hour, how I envy you!!! Great job. That sounds like a nice path, I like to drive to various places to run, it makes it so much more interesting. I'm glad we have so many parks here in Cleveland.

See you Sat.

B Bop said...

Speaking of breaking from the ordinary, I have planned out next weeks dinner menu with sloppy doe's and chili.

Thanks to you and Joey for the venison!!!!

triguyjt said...

good for you that you get to work from home of an occasional day.

probably helps make up for that long drive in to downtown.

i live just 8 miles from work. i like being close.

if i worked from home, I would work less and probably workout less as well