Thanks, running, for keeping me from doing something drastic

Man, the last few weeks have been aggressive. Well, mainly work is aggressive. But, I see the end, the beautiful end. I have two glorious weeks of vacation. I'm elated beyond elated. Seriously, without this break, I could have done something drastic. Like quit my job. With no backup plan. Uncool, Jina. Uncool.

This could be a bit dramatic ...

Amidst all the madness, I kept running (well, I skipped a few long runs, but always make it to my weekly speed workouts). And, I'm thankful I did. It's probably the only thing that kept me from doing something drastic earlier. Like quit my job.

This week's runs:

• Tuesday: Oh, you pesky intervals. But, I don't hate you as much as I used to. With four intervals (4 minutes hard, 3 minutes easy), I pushed it pretty hard ... I think. I brought my Garmin, but somehow turned the GPS off. Smart. So, I don't have numbers for how I did. Just my feeling, and I feel like our group did well.
• Thursday: Oh, you pesky tempo run. I think I now hate you more than intervals. I'm just not good at choosing my tempo pace. I feel like my running partner and I started off fast (maybe too fast), and slowed down toward the end. I say "I feel" because I forgot my Garmin. I didn't even have a backup watch. But, after estimating our distance and knowing we ran for 50 minutes, I don't think we did too shabby. Again, I say "I think" because I'm an idiot that forgot her Garmin.

My weekend running plans:

• Saturday: Oh, you pesky progressive run. It's not the run that I have trouble with, it's the timing. My boyfriend works out of town during the week and comes home every weekend. Weekends are our time. Saturdays are for dog parks, shopping, Mexican food, walks, movies, whatever. Running usually doesn't fit in. But, I'm trying to make it a priority to do this run. I can do it Friday or Saturday. I just have to do a progressive 30-minute run. Surely, I can fit that.
• Sunday: Oh, you pesky fun long run. This is early in the morning (7:30 a.m., ugh), but my boyfriend sleeps late so it isn't doesn't interfere with our time. And, I actually usually really enjoy this run. Scenic route along the water, early morning air and Derek Jeter's house (I'm still a little irritated I haven't seen him yet). This week, we're running 10 miles.

Daze of activities

Sometimes I wonder if I have too many activities. This is why:

Sunday: long run with the training group (7:30 a.m. ... yuck)
Monday: off
Tuesday: speed workout with the training group (6:30 p.m.)
Wednesday: beach volleyball (7:00 p.m.)
Thursday: speed workout with the training group (6:30 p.m.)
Friday: softball (7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m.)
Saturday: off

These are all my scheduled extracurricular (hello, high school) activities. It's not all that I do (workout-wise or otherwise), but these are all the things on my calendar.

Sometimes I think I should cut down. I could maybe see cutting softball out ... it's not my favorite, and I still hold a grudge against it for severely spraining my ankle a few years ago. But, we're currently in first place (we've never even came close before ... like, we're always last), and I like to win. Hmm ... so I might stick it out for awhile longer.

I love volleyball, but sometimes I get irritated at some people that play (OK, one in particular). I'm competitive, so I understand the desire to win. But, one dude takes it too far. He stoops to being a bad sport and using cheap tactics to try and get the other team to mess up (making a loud noise when someone goes to spike ... crap like that). But, overall, I enjoy the people that play, and I love the game. Hmm ... so I might stick it out.

Source

Due to my almost daily love fest about my running group, you know I'm not giving that up.

So, I guess I'll keep everything. I'd probably end up doing something unproductive if I didn't have them. I kind of need the group motivation and competition, too.

What's your weekly schedule? Are you busy every night of the week with extracurricular activities?