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September 18, 2007
Thank God for Sport
Do you ever wonder how people who don't exercise/train deal with anger and frustration, anxiety or worry? I always wonder that. Because through the years running (and now swimming and cycling) has always served as a cure all. Worried about something? Go for a run. Anxious about something? Go to the pool, focus on repeat 100s for a while, and when you're done, your problems seem a little lighter. Angry? Frustrated? Ride your bike as hard as you possibly can and vent like you've never vented before.
Case in point. Today - very, very bad day at work. I like my job, I really do. But I will admit that I don't like all the people I work with. O calls them "personality conflicts" (or as we've come to know them - PCs). I'm generally a pretty high strung person but through the years have mellowed considerably. I like to think I get along with just about every single person. And if I really can't get along with someone I'm good at using the avoidance tactic. But some people (as in those you work in direct contact with) you just cannot avoid.
Regardless today I hit a boiling point with my co-worker and confronted her on an issue that I just couldn't let pass. It turned ugly. And I let it bother me all day long. I was angry with myself for how I acted. I was so very angry and frustrated with the way she has been handling things. It just wasn't pretty. And then I got angry with myself for letting it bother me so much! UGH! I felt like crud on my drive home and didn't want to do anything but lay on the couch and feel sorry for myself.
So what did I do? I got home, got on my bike and I just rode that thing harder than I have in a very, very long time. (luckily I did indeed have an interval session planned ;). By the end of the last hard interval I was seriously seeing black spots. My legs felt like putty. It took a LONG time to catch my breathe. I had held my HR at over 185 for several 9 minute intervals. Yikes!
But you know what? I felt so much better. About everything. I let my frustration and anger go with each pedal stroke and realized that life isn't always fair. People don't always play nice. You aren't always going to get along with everyone. And that's okay.
Thank God for sport. It has helped me through a lot in life. It has saved me more than once. It has helped me to move on from the less important things to the more important matters. Sounds kind of hokey but it really does help you see more clearly.
And so I'll go to work tomorrow with a new perspective and a fresh mindset. I'll do my best to not let other's actions adversely affect me. But just in case I slip and fall...I have a hard run on Thursday to set me straight... :)
Day summary:
5:15 am - 55 min run
5:15 pm - 61 min on trainer w/2x(3x1 min w/15 sec rest, 1x9 min w/2 min rest)
7:20 pm - 2500 yd swim including 5x300 steady
Posted by beth at September 18, 2007 8:43 PM