Sunday, September 6, 2009

The delicious pleasure of sleeping in

The last few mornings have found me lying in bed, thinking about my options. My swim bag is packed and sitting near the front door. My swim suit is hanging in the bedroom where I can find it. However, swimming has not been a scheduled workout for a while now. I've been to the pool a few times, but nothing regular. I haven't even thought about going running, though just now I am.

So as I drift slowly awake, the thought process (if it can be called that) is something like this. Hello, here's another day, how nice. Nothing hurts, even nicer. How sleepy am I? Will I go back to sleep? Should I go for a swim? Or will I do a bike ride today? Hmmmm. I'd have to make a special trip to the pool, then decide what to do. And it's not the pool I like. Still, I know I'd get up and do it if it was scheduled. But it's not. Sleep is important. Being horizontal is nice. Maybe I'll try to sleep some more. After all, I'll be back on the workout schedule pretty soon. IMC will come soon. Life isn't just work work work. You need time to enjoy it as well. Like now. What should I have for breakfast? Pity I don't live near the beach. Lazing along, half asleep, listening to Amelia the cat meowing plaintively outside the bedroom. And so on.

So far, I haven't made it to the pool. I've rolled over and gone back to sleep for a while. And the sleep has been nice. Which isn't something I take for granted. Once upon a time I worked shift work, a rotating 12 hour shift, 3 days on, 3.5 days off, 3 nights on, 2.5 days off, repeat till sickness or death takes you. As it nearly did several times, falling asleep at the wheel. It's been almost 20 years since I worked that job, and I still have trouble sleeping more than 6 hours at a time. Doing a good workout schedule has helped me sleep because I'm tired. Most of the time. Then there are the times I start thinking about a race, or a big training day, or what I want to write in my blog, or what I should be doing tomorrow, and that's it, my brain is off and whirling. Susi has a gerbil; I'm not sure what I have.

I haven't been doing serious workouts since before the Calgary 70.3, until this week. Up till last week I just swam, biked, ran, walked, or did core workouts when I wanted, for as long as I wanted, as hard as I wanted, for the fun of it. Or I didn't. I've caught up on some of my reading. I have BBQ'd and drunk beer and wine. I have napped. And you know, I feel great!

Today I just finished some core work, maybe a half an hour or so. I'm still musing about a bike ride. Originally I wouldn't have done it, because we had dinner planned with some friends. But they've had some company drop in, and we have to reschedule. Now I feel like going for a ride with someone. Except I can't ask because they're all asleep and the most likely candidates all live way NW (and you know who you are). So maybe instead I'll give the lawn the last mow/trim of the year. Or I'll nuke more of the overrun flower beds. Or I'll work on organizing the basement - the never ending project. There are wine bottles to clean and de-label. Oddly enough, I'm caught up on laundry. Maybe I'll go for a run. Hmmmm. Or not.

I think the next thing to do is have an early lunch. Some chicken breast BBQ in a special Linda sauce, with Jalapeno Havarti cheese and a special mustard might be good.

Weekly Summary
Swim 0 hrs (yes! Zero!!! Unless thinking about swimming in Chain Lakes counts.)
Bike 10 hrs (sticklers can subtract 7 minutes if they like)
Run 0 hrs (though there's been a few brisk walks)
Core 1 hr
Total 11 hours

5 comments:

  1. I can totally relate to this Keith. As you know I just went through a bit of a "period" myself. But now I am back at it and happy again. If you ever want to head out for a bike/run just let me know, I am willing to make the voyage down to the south!

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  2. This is the time I hate almost as much as taper -- because I am too fatigued to do ANYTHING. Except lie around and watch True Blood episodes with Susi all day and night. Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

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  3. You still got 11 hours in, during an off week. So you have nothing to apologize for.

    Other than your spelling of "labour", which The Loose Moose just finished spanking you for.

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  4. Hey, it is okay to enjoy this downtime. Next year is going to be crazy busy! I'm more concerned about cooking and drinking wine...although I still plan on training too! ;)

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  5. Sounds divine! I like the way you think! I love sleeping in (now, post IM).

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