You might think I'm going to take that title and advise you on simplifying your transitions or tell you that socks are worthless or that feet-washing is for pussies. Well, it's true, feet-washing is indeed for pussies. But really, I was thinking about bigger transitions.
I went to the office today. Some funny things happened. I had to tell the Barista at the Bishop St. Starbucks what I wanted instead of just waving. I found mail on my seat dated July 8. A co-worker pretended to faint when I came in. So I didn't go to work for a month... it just kind of happened. I went some places, the kids were out of school, I went some more places, didn't really feel like commuting the past couple of days.. I was busy doing... um... mom-stuff.
You might see where I'm going with this. Today is the husband's last day of work. Yippee for you, husband. Next monday is my first day of full time employment. There are some things I don't understand about working all day every day. Like when does one go to the dentist, get a haircut, watch the kids' swim team or hit Neiman Marcus' Last Call? Will I ever get to chat with my childrens' teachers? If I try to run, bike or swim, will I ever even see my children awake?
Twenty to forty hours was going to be a hard transition. Zero to forty might kill me. I love the company I work for, the people that work there, and I believe in what the company does. But let's just say I am not the sharpest tool in the Environmental Engineering shed. I am one of the only non-engineers. Everyone is kind to the blond runner girl who wears stretchy pants to work. But I still leave feeling like an incompetent moron each day. And all day everyday of trying to play catch up at work, commuting an hour each way, stressing about the kids' activities and fitting in my workouts.. makes me cry. A lot. I have always been thoroughly grateful for how easy and happy my life is. I am not a princess, I am just averse to working. Just kidding. Really, I am just scared that I will be miserable and will lose all the things I love about my life.
If any of you readers want to hire me to run fast, update your website, or just to be your friend, please email me.
A bunch of you inquired about the formula - the ways I've tricked my IT band into letting me train again and what I have learned from all the specialists. Next blog, I promise, when I'm done feeling sorry for myself for having to do what most people do their entire lives without complaint.
I went to the office today. Some funny things happened. I had to tell the Barista at the Bishop St. Starbucks what I wanted instead of just waving. I found mail on my seat dated July 8. A co-worker pretended to faint when I came in. So I didn't go to work for a month... it just kind of happened. I went some places, the kids were out of school, I went some more places, didn't really feel like commuting the past couple of days.. I was busy doing... um... mom-stuff.
You might see where I'm going with this. Today is the husband's last day of work. Yippee for you, husband. Next monday is my first day of full time employment. There are some things I don't understand about working all day every day. Like when does one go to the dentist, get a haircut, watch the kids' swim team or hit Neiman Marcus' Last Call? Will I ever get to chat with my childrens' teachers? If I try to run, bike or swim, will I ever even see my children awake?
Twenty to forty hours was going to be a hard transition. Zero to forty might kill me. I love the company I work for, the people that work there, and I believe in what the company does. But let's just say I am not the sharpest tool in the Environmental Engineering shed. I am one of the only non-engineers. Everyone is kind to the blond runner girl who wears stretchy pants to work. But I still leave feeling like an incompetent moron each day. And all day everyday of trying to play catch up at work, commuting an hour each way, stressing about the kids' activities and fitting in my workouts.. makes me cry. A lot. I have always been thoroughly grateful for how easy and happy my life is. I am not a princess, I am just averse to working. Just kidding. Really, I am just scared that I will be miserable and will lose all the things I love about my life.
If any of you readers want to hire me to run fast, update your website, or just to be your friend, please email me.
A bunch of you inquired about the formula - the ways I've tricked my IT band into letting me train again and what I have learned from all the specialists. Next blog, I promise, when I'm done feeling sorry for myself for having to do what most people do their entire lives without complaint.
Oh Rachel... phewwww, nothing to say about this...blah!
ReplyDeleteYou and Eileen just completely traded day jobs (but yours was still harder because kids WILL ALWAYS BE MORE OF A JOB THAN 50 HOURS IN AN OFFICE!)Believe me, I have had 50 hours a week of work and now the mom thing and the mom thing is harder...
For some reason I have a feeling you are still gonna make it... people love you, sponsors love you, I bet if you get your pro card you can quit 1 of your jobs (the day one) and the kids job you have to keep, and you can get some support flowing in and make it happen.
I really believe in you, lots of people do, I think this is your "sign" to get the pro card, take a risk, and get some support and win some races with that terrifying fast run of yours (now that it is back).
DO it after Kona, I dare you... can you turn down a dare??? NO!
I'm sure it won't be an easy jog through the park but I know you will figure out the family/work/training balance and master it like a champ!! You can do it!!
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, most of the people I know that do work full time, have families and train for triathlon complain a lot - so don't feel bad! :)
Oh... one more thing... call Amanda Balding... she is super about finding support in our sport. She told me all sorts of tid-bits in Japan (never took her up on it) but I know you guys are pals, CALL HER! She made killer deals for herself and Luke and now neither of them have to work other than train!
ReplyDeleteAhh, I totally feel for you! I don't think I'm cut out to work, but I have to anyways :( There will be tough days but it will work out! And feel free to complain, I do all the time. We really need to win the lottery...
ReplyDeleteWell you don't know me but I think you are nothing short of an utter superstar for balancing all the responsibilities you have along with triathlon. I hope the transition to full time isn't too bad and maybe you can find a way to squeeze in at least some of your shorter workouts in the middle of the workday at lunch or something?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bri. Feel free to complain. I complained all day about the stomping feet, teasing of the dog, complaints about lunch, and temper tantrum at not being able to have a huge gumball...and now I realize how lucky I am. Hope that your transition goes ok...and that you can figure out a way to add 3 or 4 hours to your day.
ReplyDelete-Danielle
I totally feel you on this one. I'm on the cusp of changing my employment status and just feel like a wuss for how hard I've found it to tolerate regular job life. Sitting at a desk just feels so, well, stupid.
ReplyDeleteI'll be pulling for you and hope you can follow your bliss when your guy finishes law school, if not sooner.
You know that we are all out here for more than just a funny story. That's what's special about this weird place called Blog Land. You know what? It will work out, I know it will. While the balance might take a little bit of time to achieve, Law School isn't forever, and you will find a way to still live and love and be the person you are. While we've never met I know that you wouldn't be true Rachel in an Ann Taylor suit. Keep wearing the Lululemon Groove pants to work, keep your head clear of worries, and allow it to unfold as it will. Your children know you love them. And that's the most important thing in the world. Now..... why is your commute so darn long?????
ReplyDeleteI ditto Mary. There are lots and lots of us out there trying to punch our 40hr week cards, train, have a social life, sleep. And oh year, recover:) :):):) Not to mention, take time to do NOTHING. Nothing at all. It takes a great deal of balance. I don't have kids. (couldn't frankly imagine, at this point) So really, my advice only comes from the ins and outs of the daily grind.
ReplyDeleteYou make lack sleep. You may have to cut back. You may have to be really really really selective about your races. But you know what, you will find a way if you really want to do it.
And if you don't, that doesn't make you any less of a person, mother. Or for that matter, triathlete. Everyone takes breaks or slows down. You may just learn more about the person you really are or want to be in the process.
God, that sounds really crazy, but its true.
Keep ya head up. And don't forget to trade out those runnin' kicks more often. That'll be one way to prevent future ITB issues.
:)
Ross - I need a wife. I need a wife to put away laundry, walk the dog, check the mail, clean the house, grocery shop and find her husband's keys every other day. If you are interested, please apply. But you might have to quit the sport. I'm not sure I could handle getting chicked by my wife :)
ReplyDeleteIn my early/mid 20s I was the incompetent moron in the office, although the most qualified in terms of university attendance, which only made things worse when relating to my "school-leaver" (i.e., no university) office working colleagues. Work was hell and life was miserable and I felt I had thrown away years of studying just to do mindless and repetitive office work all day, every day. However, despite the pittance that I earned, the job at least helped me move forward, and eventually other things developed. While turning pro may be an option for you, don't throw away your chances of furthering your career and deepening your interest in environmental science. Fast forward 10 years and you will need something else besides training and competing and even the family to keep you happy.
ReplyDeleteRach-
ReplyDeleteI feel you. Big time. I went from Ironman to oly this year when I went back full time and hired a housecleaner. You'll waste a lot of time worrying about balance... my best advice is to take it one day at a time. Organizing your day will help you use your time better to pack more in...
Oh, and one more thing... I stopped watching TV. You wouldn't believe how much time that puts in the bank.
Hang in there girl - it's tough, but doable.
lol...i'm with elf...i need all kinds of things right now and i'd totally hire you to be my wife or friend. i have a feeling that you would keep me in coffee and laughing all day long...i also don't really have much of a dress code around here - lately, a quarter of this household has decided that cowboy boots and panties is a pretty comfy look! i think you would fit right in :)
ReplyDeleteI hear you. I've been doing the work full time thing (and dealing with feeling like a complete incompetent moron most days) and it is hard enough to find a work/life balance with no kids, now that the kid is almost here I'm not sure if I'll ever find the balance again. Feel free to complain a lot, we all do it. Over time you'll figure it out and next thing you know you'll have a routine that works for you.
ReplyDeleteI have always felt I'm not good at the mom bit, either while working full time, while in grad school, or now that I'm at home all day. But my kids are nice and seem well adjusted so I guess I'm doing ok. You will do it and if someone has to wear dirty socks every now and then it won't be the end of the world.
ReplyDeleteRachel, don't worry, it will all work out! You LOVE triathlon and it's so much a part of your life that it will just work in eventually. And you are such an amazing athlete that you don't need all the timed training. You can do it on the quality, I know it!! And most importantly, be proud of what an amazing wife and mother that you are that you are doing this for your family!! I'll be thinking about you!
ReplyDeleteHey Rachel...Sorry to hear about your "pickle". Shoot! It sucks that you have to work f/t but you know that it will benefit your fam in the long run.
ReplyDeleteIf triahlon is important to you (and we know it is) you will make the time. Having a clean house and home cooked meals on the table is completely over rated (although keeping the kids kinda clean is pretty high in my list...I hate when the kids start smellin' kinda stinky).
Here are a few time saver ideas that I hope will help you get the most hrs out of your jam packed day:
1. Go to work in your splish suit. This will save time changing when it is time for a lunchtime swim in the ocean. Wear shoes if you must, but make sure you have your lock laces in.
2. Put your tready in the kitchen so that you can eat your meals while fitting in a tempo run. You can eat dinner, ask kids about school, and see husband all at one time.
3. At the office, set up your bike trainer in front of your computer. Pedal your heart out, then if someone comes to check on you - pretend you are typing on the computer while saying,"Is it hot in here or is it just me" while sweat drips off of your face.
Have a great first day at work!
RR,
ReplyDeleteOh darn is right! Hmmm..I wish I had some magical solution for you - LIKE HARD and fast CASH, but I don't. Rather, I will say this: You are dedicated & a phenomenal athlete, you will continue to do awesome in any situation. GOOD luck! Jen H.
PS you can b*Tch and moan all you want - we all do is right!
Although it will be tough going back to full time work from part time, I am sure you will find a way to balance it out with taking care of the kids and fitting in your training. It is all about creating a good balance in your life with the things you love to do (family and triathlon) and the things you unfortunately have to do (work). Find a good balance for now (which is maybe not ideal) and then hopefully later on you can have the perfect balance (i.e. no work!).
ReplyDelete