I've been away from here for entirely too long.
My training has been going so-so. I've had some really, really good days and some less than good days.
Last Sunday through Tuesday (3/30-4/1) were some GREAT training days. Sunday I started ignoring my watch when out on my run. Well, not entirely, basically I just set it so that I couldn't see what my pace was, instead just watching the total time and trying to monitor my current effort. I ended up doing 10.2 miles in 90 minutes, an 8:48 pace! And I felt really good.
Monday was more of the same, this time on the bike. My 90 minute bike ride resulted in an average 138 watts. When i did my swim, the pool was set to 50m instead of 25 yards... what a difference THAT makes! I think i mentioned this once before, but holy cow...
Then Tuesday I rocked the bike AND the run on my interval sets.
On the not so great side, I missed my speed workouts the last two weeks... I just got so caught up in my work that I completely missed them. My swim on Sunday was short too because, again, I got caught up working and forgot how late it was so I was only able to get in part of the workout.
On the plus side, these are time management problems, not problems due to injury, over-training or anything like that so I should be (and I am!) thankful for that. Eventually I'm going to get my internal clock straight and get my sorry butt out of bed early enough to work out BEFORE I go to studio, that way I can't get caught up in work and lose track of time.
Showing posts with label Ponderings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ponderings. Show all posts
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Idealistic v. Realistic
I read an article this evening on the Boston Globe website. This Op-Ed piece talked about the distinction between being realistic and being idealistic. The context was the realm of politics but as I mulled the words over and over in my head, I realized how many aspects of my life this piece reflected on and made me think about.
Idealism is about what is possible, it's about hope and what could be if we're willing to work hard enough. Realism, and being realistic, is grounded in the way things are, what IS and when someone says, "Let's be realistic" what they're often saying is, let's not dream, let's lower our expectations, our standards and our hopes.
I don't want... no, I CHOOSE not to be a realist. Realistically, a small guerrilla movement could not possibly drive out an occupying force of the world's mightiest empire and earn independence and the right of self-determination. Yet our founding father's did just that! What's more, they inspired other nations to do the same! Franklin, Jefferson, Washington did not just set about the independence of our nation, the initiated the collapse of a global empire. They stood up for ideals, for concepts and ideas that were beyond being what anyone in their day would call realistic and chose to dream. Then they chose to ACT in pursuit of those dreams. Ideals don't achieve themselves, they must be worked for, sacrificed for and pursued with all our heart. As soon as we compromise, we start settling for what is realistic.
I choose to pursue the ideal and I choose to act, henceforth, in pursuit of those ideals. That pertains to my training, my politics, my design philosophy and all aspects of my life. Why should I settle for what is realistic? I suppose the reason is fear. To pursue ideals we must make sacrifices, often of comfort. To pursue a dream of fitness and athletic achievement I would have to sacrifice relaxation time and comfort foods. For political ideal I would again have to sacrifice time and leisure in order to dedicate it to something greater.
We are blessed with the ability to conceive of ideals and the means to achieve them are within our hands... to not join the two... I can't imagine the words to describe what a shame that is.
Idealism is about what is possible, it's about hope and what could be if we're willing to work hard enough. Realism, and being realistic, is grounded in the way things are, what IS and when someone says, "Let's be realistic" what they're often saying is, let's not dream, let's lower our expectations, our standards and our hopes.
I don't want... no, I CHOOSE not to be a realist. Realistically, a small guerrilla movement could not possibly drive out an occupying force of the world's mightiest empire and earn independence and the right of self-determination. Yet our founding father's did just that! What's more, they inspired other nations to do the same! Franklin, Jefferson, Washington did not just set about the independence of our nation, the initiated the collapse of a global empire. They stood up for ideals, for concepts and ideas that were beyond being what anyone in their day would call realistic and chose to dream. Then they chose to ACT in pursuit of those dreams. Ideals don't achieve themselves, they must be worked for, sacrificed for and pursued with all our heart. As soon as we compromise, we start settling for what is realistic.
I choose to pursue the ideal and I choose to act, henceforth, in pursuit of those ideals. That pertains to my training, my politics, my design philosophy and all aspects of my life. Why should I settle for what is realistic? I suppose the reason is fear. To pursue ideals we must make sacrifices, often of comfort. To pursue a dream of fitness and athletic achievement I would have to sacrifice relaxation time and comfort foods. For political ideal I would again have to sacrifice time and leisure in order to dedicate it to something greater.
We are blessed with the ability to conceive of ideals and the means to achieve them are within our hands... to not join the two... I can't imagine the words to describe what a shame that is.
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