Regular routine right now

I have not been doing a very good job of keeping up on the blog here lately. It seems time has been slipping away this summer... again. Anyway, I thought today would be a good day to simply jot down some of the places it's going. Or, in other words, for posterity's sake, 'how am I spending my time at this point in life?'

FITNESS

• I'm going into my second month of working out regularly using the eGYM equipment where I work. The more I use this, the more I like it. For years I have wanted to start doing weight training, and this is the perfect way to do it! The equipment literally does everything for you (except lift the weights)! There are no adjustments of any kind to be made. So on Monday and Friday I do three circuits through on the eight machines. On Wednesdays I generally just do 1 (because I also have a medium run as well). I can tell it's made a difference in my strength, and even though it may not be visibly noticeable, it has converted some fat to muscle.
• Running has jumped up a notch too. I've started training for my second marathon, and while I have done a couple double-digit long runs already, after this next Saturday they will all be that way until late September. Tuesdays and Thursdays are just 3-4 mile runs, Wednesdays vary from 6-8, and Saturdays are the long ones. I did 12 miles this past Saturday. Next week it drops to 9. After that I will run at least a half-marathon or more every week until just a few weeks before the race on the last weekend of September. I am beginning to feel the grind... but this is what I do.
• I honestly haven't been stretching as much as I used to. I still try to go through some basic yoga moves in the morning (when I have time). I do stretch a little after my running, but not much. Before running I have been doing either jumping jacks, jumping rope, or the Stair Master. I need to use the foam roller more, but... dang, that thing hurts! Maybe I will again one of these days.

WORK

• The Y still continues to frustrate me. Mostly just my boss. Of course, that's probably how it is for most people. During normal weeks I am still working 5 am - 1 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Then on Wednesday and Friday I work 5 am - 9 am. If I didn't have the parking lot detail I could easily add another shift or two just about every week (though I can't go over 40 hours).
• Speaking of the parking lot... Ugh. There are only something like 30 homes games left, so at least there's a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. I've honestly just given up on trying to make it any kind of ministry. Every now and then someone will volunteer to help, but for the most part I don't even care. It's just easier not having to worry about whether they will show up or not, whether they are capable of doing it or not, or where they will put the money and signs and everything else. Of course, that means I will usually be there about 3 hours for every home game, plus the counting and recording of the money and statistics, as well as changing the money out for the next game. Oh, and did I mention it is all VOLUNTARY? I know... it's "for the kids." What I don't know is exactly who or what that means... Oh well. (and we just got done with a 7-game home stand last night, so I am especially tired).
• I do also still meet with two pastors I am associated with. Both are on Wednesdays. So, even though it's only a half day at the Y, Wednesday is still pretty much a full day. Friday is the only weekday that's a truly half day. When I get off at 9 am there is no workout and nowhere else I generally have to be. I try to spend the rest of that day reading, cleaning the house, and recuperating and preparing for my long run on Saturday.

RECREATION

• It occurred to me the other day that I really don't have much of a recreational life in the summer. Between work, the parking lot, and running... that's about all I've got time for. By the time I get done with my long runs on Saturdays I am basically just toast. This is where I feel I need to make some changes, because I think this is where I'm losing steam.
• I don't really have much in the way of friends anymore. There is no one I work with I consider a friend. I do enjoy some conversations with some of the members who come into work, but it's not much more than that. Tom is certainly a long-time friend, but we only get together at our weekly breakfasts. Otherwise... other than Jane, and an occasional dinner out with another couple... there's no one to laugh with, or joke with, or talk about politics, sports, religion... or life in general. I kind of miss that, but it also seems like kind of a hassle at times too. Ugh.
• Relaxation is probably what I need the most though. I feel stressed - not from stress - but from a lack of rest. This is where I probably need to make changes on the weekend. I really NEED Saturday afternoons and evenings to recover not only from the week, but from my long runs. I don't know if it's more of a mental thing or a physical thing, but it seems like there is always something going on. And, actually, Jane and I have yet to spend a Saturday night for just the two of us to sit and listen to music and people-watch at the library (which is one of my favorite things). And I'm certainly not blaming anyone but myself - just noting to myself that I need to be more diligent (or get over it).
• It seems a little odd to list Sunday under the 'recreation' heading but... I don't know where else to put it. Sunday is not a very restful day anymore for me either. I wish now I hadn't taken on the responsibility of lining people up to participate in the service at church. It's just one more thing to worry about, and... I don't know... I've just not been feeling it. Still. Honestly, I think some of the stress is that I have certain responsibilities now, but I have no authority. And I'm not going to 'take' authority, but I don't foresee anyone 'giving' me any either. It's just a little awkward asking people to do things and I feel like they're like, "Who the heck are you? And why are YOU asking me?" Anyway, this is a whole other issue, but more and more I've been toying with the idea of just taking a break from church. I know it's a dangerous notion (especially for me), but something needs to change.

Okay....... well, that was way more than I expected it to be. Especially that last section. I actually started this post yesterday and intended it to be much shorter and more precise. Fatigue from early mornings and late nights and HOT, HOT, HOT weather has a pretty good grip on my mind and body right now. So, I should probably just stop writing.

That's all. For now.