Running Resolution

[DebJogsOn]

Spent yesterday sorting out my diary for the summer term ahead. Just looking at it made me feel queasy - ultra busy doesn't cover it. Ignoring the usual summer term stuff - sports days, school productions, reports, leaver's services and the rest - what with summer fairs, residential trips, international teacher exchanges and leaver's sleepovers it looks like most of the weekends are invaded by work too!

And I know all those non-teachers out there are muttering about 6 week holidays - but I can't tell you how many of those I've started on the verge of total collapse over the years.

Still mulling it all over on a final half term run this morning - but inspired by the view, the lovely weather and that good to the soul feeling you only get when your legs feel good, I've decided on a summer term resolution to get at least 3 runs in a week regardless of the pressures of work (in fact as a means of alleviating them)!

Assuming I run every weekend, achieving this should only mean finding two odd hours during the week to run. How can that be impossible? I know from experience it often seems it - so here are the strong words to self - going in a bit later once a week or getting home before 7pm should not make me feel guilty and running is not a luxury I can't afford - it's a kind of self care that means I can manage better when I'm there!

Really posting on here to make myself accountable. If I disappear from here or Stava during the next 7 and a half weeks feel free to call me out!

Happy running 😊

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

I know what you're coming from, with my hubby being a teacher and my job having lots of on-call and weekend work. It is so important to make time for ourselves, but can be so hard at times. I forced myself to get out for 2 short runs on my 2 nights off this week and a longer run on my one day off at the expense of housework and other chores, but it was worth it. I've started writing my runs in my day timer and am bound and determined to do them. Of course, when I get no sleep, that is easier said than done, but even a short, slow run can help clear the mind and blow the stress away, for a little while at least.

[DebJogsOn in reply to SaskAlliecat]

You're right even the short runs help. I'm going to aim for shortish runs in the week (between 3k and 5k) and a longer run at the weekend. The problem really lies with the fact that if I don't leave early for work (7am latest) then I get stuck in traffic and risk being late and I often don't get 8n before 7pm. Still the governors at my school keep telling me to work from home one morning a week so maybe I'll take them at their word and run on those mornings.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

Ooh, that would work... a nice little run before starting work from home. I found last week, running short runs, took the pressure off during the week, knowing I only had to find 20-25 minutes to run (plus the pre-run and post-run faffage, of course). Fingers crossed you're able to make the time to get those highly necessary sanity-saving runs in during this next term🤞

[sunshinefish Graduate10]

Great resolution Debs. I hope you can keep it, summer terms are manic (said going into her third one ever )

My aim is to do twice a week, fingers crossed we can both achieve our aims!

I guess 20 mins or less is still good, a run rather than sitting on the sofa or missing out completely!

[DebJogsOn in reply to sunshinefish]

Short runs are still good - however I'm naturally a morning runner if I'm honest but have to leave the house really early to get to work on time so end up trying to convince myself to go out in the evening when I'm knackered (and often still have a bagful of paperwork) - however hoping not to beaten this term.

Good luck out there!

[sunshinefish Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

Me too. It's easier to run in the morning I think for me, but can only do that at weekends.

For my other run I will have the girls with me, unless the youngest has an after school activity, which is always interesting... fall in becks, nettles, all that good stuff!

Here's to the next 7 weeks!

[Abaggs Graduate10]

I'm with you, my summer term looks ridiculous too! Determined to keep to 3 runs a week, l know it keeps me healthy. We can do it 🏃😁🏃

[DebJogsOn in reply to Abaggs]

Let's do this thing! 😁

[Celerysalt]

I'm a teacher in an independent senior school. It's a lovely place to work but also highly fast-paced. I know exactly how you feel. With a full set of end of year reports to write, exams to mark and a whole lot of planning to do for next year, I've also got a DoE weekend, the lower school show, end of year 'goodbye' soirée... Who knows what else? But I know that I'll feel mentally more balanced and generally more capable if I keep up with running regularly. I 'graduated' C25K last March and I'm now varying between (generally) faster 5ks, some middling runs and the off 10k now. We deserve to look after ours minds and bodies, and the double whammy is that we make better role models for our students. We can do this Roll on summer!

[DebJogsOn in reply to Celerysalt]

It feels like you have to steel yourself to get through a term doesn't it? I can't imagine how I ever managed the stress before I started running. I aim for a short intervals run a 5k and and a longer run at weekends but I don't always get the runs in during the week.

Good luck with your term 😊.

[Richard7 Graduate10]

We're watching ... oops ... Good luck with the plans 👍👍👍

[DebJogsOn in reply to Richard7]

Think I'll definitely needs some encouragement to stick to the plan!

[Irish-John Graduate10]

I took a teaching job a number of years ago.

Pupils loved me, Administration....well, not so much

I lasted 18 weeks.

More politics than an 1980s proxy Bush war in central Africa.

More Prep work on my own time than arranging a Thai Royal Funeral.

More exhausting mentally and physically than climbing Everest with no arms.

I'd make sure to get those runs in too Deb - clear the head and sooth the spirit.

And remember

"Be gentle with yourself. You ARE doing the best YOU can"

[DebJogsOn in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks John!

I do wish more folk could spend sometime actually doing the job. The problem is everybody has been to school and thinks they could manage no problem. Maybe there was a day when it was all finishing at three and long holidays - but right now I'm a head teacher (5 day a week job) who is also teaching a class 1 day a week (to save money) and neither of those things factor in the things I usually have to do outside of school hours. Around me I see people burning out and am trying hard not to be one of them. The running really helps so am keen to prioritise it. Problem is if I don't manage to get out I feel guilty about that too! We'll see how it goes 😏

[Irish-John Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

It's a mess alright. The "Education Theorists" have ruined the Vocation imho.

Teaching and Law Enforcement - two of the only jobs where totally unknowing members of the public think they not only would Excel at it - but that they also have a Good given right to tell the Pro doing it how to do it differently...

I'm so happy these days now that my job is cleaning the Sewers lol

Seriously though - trick in achieving SOME sanity in life and work is to not always put oneself at the back of the queue. My job vacancy will be in the paper before my obituary - so every now and then- they can stuff it

[DebJogsOn in reply to Irish-John]

😂 Think I said this very same thing via the expression on my face when listening to someone complaining to me about nothing today!

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

I am full of respect for you, Deb, fitting in running whilst also managing such a busy full time job. But you are right to make running a priority. That’s what we have to do, as our health has to be a priority, both physically and mentally, in order to do our jobs well. Working from home one morning a week sounds like a very good idea! When I used to work the odd day at home I always used to get twice as much done anyway!

And I am with you on the morning run thing - I have never scheduled a run in the evening as I know I would have found it very hard to motivate myself to get out! And the mornings are just so much quieter - fewer cars and people to dodge!

I shall happily give you a nudge if I don’t see you on Strava for a few days! Good luck, lovely.

Sadie-runs x

[DebJogsOn in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks Sadie! Have my first morning run planned before a meeting that doesn't start until 9.30am tomorrow (not going into school beforehand). Starting as I mean to go on... but feel free to nudge if necessary 😁