I had a “make it work” moment earlier this week. I went to the gym after class on Tuesday and even though it’s already February, I still spent 15 minutes walking around the changeroom looking for a free locker. When I finally found one (i.e. stalked a girl who looked like she was about to leave and followed her back to her locker and waited for her to change), I realized that I had left my lock at home. I was tempted to just call it quits and assume that “the universe just doesn’t want me to go to the gym today.” Fortunately, my friend ended up convincing me to bring my wallet with me and leave the rest of my stuff. Of course, given how hard it was to find a locker, it was no surprise that none of the treadmills were free either. But instead of giving in to my grumpiness and moping in the corner, I decided to make it work and ended up getting in a good strength training workout instead.
This got me thinking about what it means to “make it work” and why this phrase appeals to me so much. Making it work is not about waiting for the perfect set of circumstances; it’s about doing your best with what you have right now. Making it work is not about perfect gourmet lunches served on Martha Stewart dishes; it’s about throwing together a delicious and healthy salad using whatever you have in your fridge. Making it work is not about waiting until you earn enough money to buy designer clothes or lose those last five pounds to feel good about yourself; it’s about taking pride in your appearance right now. Making it work is not about waiting to find that moment of pure concentration before you start studying; it’s about reading your notes on the train and absorbing as much as you can. Making it work is not about waiting until you have an entire hour free to chat before calling your best friend to catch up; it’ about calling her to say “Hi” while you walk home, or sending a quick email when you get the chance. Making it work is not about wishing for some ideal universe where you have all the resources you need to do everything you desire and you never need to make any difficult decisions; it’s about doing the best you can with what you have at this moment, at every moment.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hills are my friend?!
No, I never thought I would say that either. But after last night’s hill workout, my attitude towards hill has changed. Something happened when I ran up that first hill. Something strange and wonderful. Instead of feeling terrible and out of breath, I felt, well, not terrible. Possibly even good. I ran up a hill without feeling like collapsing at the top and somehow this gave me the confidence and energy to tackle the next seven hills.
I think that this is the first time that I have every really felt progress or improvement in running. When I got to the top of that first hill I actually thought to myself “Wow, maybe my strength has improved!” I slowly started to understand what runners mean when they say “hills are your friend.” They’re your friend because they make you a better and stronger runner. They’re not your best friend that you want to call up regularly for a coffee date. They’re more like your “tells it like it is” friend who is always honest with you, even when it’s not what you want to hear. Not to get carried away, I’m sure I’ll still dread the nine hills that are planned for next week as they approach. But I’ll also look forward to the benefits they bring.
I think that this is the first time that I have every really felt progress or improvement in running. When I got to the top of that first hill I actually thought to myself “Wow, maybe my strength has improved!” I slowly started to understand what runners mean when they say “hills are your friend.” They’re your friend because they make you a better and stronger runner. They’re not your best friend that you want to call up regularly for a coffee date. They’re more like your “tells it like it is” friend who is always honest with you, even when it’s not what you want to hear. Not to get carried away, I’m sure I’ll still dread the nine hills that are planned for next week as they approach. But I’ll also look forward to the benefits they bring.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Hungry Hungry Hippie
When we came back home from the Christmas holidays we were craving salad and vegetables. So, for the past week I've been making a lot of what we call "Hippie Salads". I think these taste even better knowing that you can create something at home that you'd pay $10 for at Whole Foods.
It's really just a "whatever's in the fridge" salad. Here's what mine included today:
mixed greens
steamed Chinese cabbage and broccoli
cherry tomatoes
a handful of raisins
1/4 of a yam cut into cubes
a few cubes of avocado
a sprinkling of goat cheese
For the dressing, I just mixed together some olive oil, red wine vinaigrette, and mango chutney.
Other versions have included steamed kale (which I prefer over the cabbage, but we're out of kale), lentils, and chickpeas.
All told, this made for a happy and colourful lunch!
It's really just a "whatever's in the fridge" salad. Here's what mine included today:
mixed greens
steamed Chinese cabbage and broccoli
cherry tomatoes
a handful of raisins
1/4 of a yam cut into cubes
a few cubes of avocado
a sprinkling of goat cheese
For the dressing, I just mixed together some olive oil, red wine vinaigrette, and mango chutney.
Other versions have included steamed kale (which I prefer over the cabbage, but we're out of kale), lentils, and chickpeas.
All told, this made for a happy and colourful lunch!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Crafty To Do List
I like the idea of keeping a Crafty To Do List. I really just love list-making in general, so naturally I’m a fan of this idea. Here are some things I’m hoping to make in 2011:
1. Baby blanket quilt for E.
2. A larger quilt for our couch.
3. A drawstring pouch for my stethoscope.
4. A slouchy knit winter hat (for me).
5. An engagement sweater.*
6. A sweater for my Dad.
I’m sure I’ll come up with some more things to knit or sew for fun as well, but these should keep me going for the time being.
*I think that I’m finally ready to get over the Boyfriend Sweater Superstition.
1. Baby blanket quilt for E.
2. A larger quilt for our couch.
3. A drawstring pouch for my stethoscope.
4. A slouchy knit winter hat (for me).
5. An engagement sweater.*
6. A sweater for my Dad.
I’m sure I’ll come up with some more things to knit or sew for fun as well, but these should keep me going for the time being.
*I think that I’m finally ready to get over the Boyfriend Sweater Superstition.
Friday, December 31, 2010
It's been a while
It’s been a while since I last posted. Almost a year, actually. But here I am again, back with the urge to keep writing. This time for real! Have I said that before? Probably. But this time I really mean it.
A new year calls for a new title, one that better reflects my current state of affairs.
When I started this blog last year, I was pretty miserable. I was struggling to get through grad school, uncertain of the future, and full of anger towards just about everything. Okay, not everything, but a LOT of things. The point is, I was grumpy and spent a lot of time complaining about my situation to whoever would listen, and I hated myself for doing this. I knew that my grumpiness made me unpleasant to be around, and I wanted to change that and get back in touch with the good-natured person I used to be.
I started this blog as an attempt to remind myself of the things that I still enjoyed in life. I wanted it to be a place where I could practice not complaining, because somewhere deep down I knew that things were not really so terrible. And that is why I chose the title “A Little Less Complaining.”
But a lot has changed since last year. I applied for and got accepted to med school, successfully defended my Ph.D., got engaged to the love of my life, ran my first marathon, and moved to a new place to start school (not entirely in that order). I’m no longer the miserable girl I was when I was in grad school. Of course there are new challenges, like going back to school in a class with people several years younger than me (who look confused when I make Saved by the Bell references), and living in a new place away from my friends and family.
So, now that I am no longer complaining all the time, I don’t have as much need for a forum to practice not complaining (although I still think it is a useful exercise). I think that what I do need is a creative outlet. Lately, I’ve been spending most of my time studying and then when I take a break from studying I feel restless. I want to do something relaxing and creative, like knitting, or photography, but I don’t seem to have the energy. So, I’m hoping this blog will help motivate me.
I’ve decided to go with the title “Stepping it Up” at least for now. Mostly because it’s the best thing that I can come up with at the moment. When I used to watch America’s Next Top Model one of my favourite reality show clichés was the phrase “step it up and take it to the next level.” As in “Your photo shoot was okay this week, but you really need to step it up and take it to the next level.” This always made me laugh, because I can’t imagine how infuriating that would be to hear as “constructive criticism”. I mean, how exactly do you go about “stepping it up” and where is the next level and how do you know when you’ve reached it? But the girls would nod diligently in agreement and then confess to the camera “I’m really going to have to take it to the next level now.”
So, for 2011 I am resolving to step it up and take it to the next level. I am going to be fiercer than ever and Make It Work!
A new year calls for a new title, one that better reflects my current state of affairs.
When I started this blog last year, I was pretty miserable. I was struggling to get through grad school, uncertain of the future, and full of anger towards just about everything. Okay, not everything, but a LOT of things. The point is, I was grumpy and spent a lot of time complaining about my situation to whoever would listen, and I hated myself for doing this. I knew that my grumpiness made me unpleasant to be around, and I wanted to change that and get back in touch with the good-natured person I used to be.
I started this blog as an attempt to remind myself of the things that I still enjoyed in life. I wanted it to be a place where I could practice not complaining, because somewhere deep down I knew that things were not really so terrible. And that is why I chose the title “A Little Less Complaining.”
But a lot has changed since last year. I applied for and got accepted to med school, successfully defended my Ph.D., got engaged to the love of my life, ran my first marathon, and moved to a new place to start school (not entirely in that order). I’m no longer the miserable girl I was when I was in grad school. Of course there are new challenges, like going back to school in a class with people several years younger than me (who look confused when I make Saved by the Bell references), and living in a new place away from my friends and family.
So, now that I am no longer complaining all the time, I don’t have as much need for a forum to practice not complaining (although I still think it is a useful exercise). I think that what I do need is a creative outlet. Lately, I’ve been spending most of my time studying and then when I take a break from studying I feel restless. I want to do something relaxing and creative, like knitting, or photography, but I don’t seem to have the energy. So, I’m hoping this blog will help motivate me.
I’ve decided to go with the title “Stepping it Up” at least for now. Mostly because it’s the best thing that I can come up with at the moment. When I used to watch America’s Next Top Model one of my favourite reality show clichés was the phrase “step it up and take it to the next level.” As in “Your photo shoot was okay this week, but you really need to step it up and take it to the next level.” This always made me laugh, because I can’t imagine how infuriating that would be to hear as “constructive criticism”. I mean, how exactly do you go about “stepping it up” and where is the next level and how do you know when you’ve reached it? But the girls would nod diligently in agreement and then confess to the camera “I’m really going to have to take it to the next level now.”
So, for 2011 I am resolving to step it up and take it to the next level. I am going to be fiercer than ever and Make It Work!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Base Training: Weeks 3-5 Recap
Total Distance:
Week 3: 27.3km
Week 4: 22.7 km
Week 5: 28.0 km
Highlights:
This weekend I was reminded of the benefit of having a training plan to follow. The temperatures began to dip into the negative twenties on Sunday, and the streets were slippery with freshly fallen snow. Without a schedule, I would have had the following conversation with myself:
Running Self: Let's go for a run today!
Lazy Self: But it's cold and windy and icy. Can't we just stay home where it's warm and wear pajamas and curl up on the couch for the day?
Running Self: Did you say icy?
Lazy Self: Yes, ICY! You could fall and get injured.
Running Self: We should probably avoid injury.
Lazy Self: So it's decided then, we'll stay in.
Running Self: Fine. But we'll try again tomorrow.
Instead, it was already decided that I would run six miles on Sunday, so the only decision I had to make was whether to run outside or on the treadmill. I really do dread the treadmill, especially for longer runs, but I psyched myself up for it, and it was okay. It helped that I had the "A Very Sedaris Christmas" episode of This American Life to listen to. And I felt great afterward!
Week 3: 27.3km
Week 4: 22.7 km
Week 5: 28.0 km
Highlights:
This weekend I was reminded of the benefit of having a training plan to follow. The temperatures began to dip into the negative twenties on Sunday, and the streets were slippery with freshly fallen snow. Without a schedule, I would have had the following conversation with myself:
Running Self: Let's go for a run today!
Lazy Self: But it's cold and windy and icy. Can't we just stay home where it's warm and wear pajamas and curl up on the couch for the day?
Running Self: Did you say icy?
Lazy Self: Yes, ICY! You could fall and get injured.
Running Self: We should probably avoid injury.
Lazy Self: So it's decided then, we'll stay in.
Running Self: Fine. But we'll try again tomorrow.
Instead, it was already decided that I would run six miles on Sunday, so the only decision I had to make was whether to run outside or on the treadmill. I really do dread the treadmill, especially for longer runs, but I psyched myself up for it, and it was okay. It helped that I had the "A Very Sedaris Christmas" episode of This American Life to listen to. And I felt great afterward!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Base Training: Week 2 Recap
Total Distance: 15 miles
Highlights:
Winter has been late to arrive this year, and I'm definitely not complaining. However, when the temperatures did finally start to drop last week, I was caught a little off guard. So when the winds picked up, I figured it was time to make a trip to MEC and stock up on some winter running gear. I got an insulated vest to wear as a midlayer on moderately cold days, and an insulated but thin hooded jacket to wear as a midlayer on very cold days. And I figured that on VERY very cold days I can wear them both together. (Or more likely, just run indoors.) I almost bought a balaclava too, but I figured that if it's -40 degrees, I will need more than the excitement of looking like a bank robber to get me outside.
New running clothes definitely give me a little motivational boost. Of course, this can become an expensive strategy if you use it too often, but I really was in need of some items to help extend my running season into the winter. Plus, there is something very satisfying about creating your own little microclimate to combat the cold weather.
Highlights:
Winter has been late to arrive this year, and I'm definitely not complaining. However, when the temperatures did finally start to drop last week, I was caught a little off guard. So when the winds picked up, I figured it was time to make a trip to MEC and stock up on some winter running gear. I got an insulated vest to wear as a midlayer on moderately cold days, and an insulated but thin hooded jacket to wear as a midlayer on very cold days. And I figured that on VERY very cold days I can wear them both together. (Or more likely, just run indoors.) I almost bought a balaclava too, but I figured that if it's -40 degrees, I will need more than the excitement of looking like a bank robber to get me outside.
New running clothes definitely give me a little motivational boost. Of course, this can become an expensive strategy if you use it too often, but I really was in need of some items to help extend my running season into the winter. Plus, there is something very satisfying about creating your own little microclimate to combat the cold weather.
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