Monday: The stolen backpack
I got this brilliant idea last week. I thought since my gym is only 2.3 miles away, I should run to the gym instead of taking a bus or train. So I ordered a running backpack from Amazon. First, it got stolen from the mail room. Then I ordered a replacement which I got on Saturday. I could have gone for a test run on Sunday for a mile. I haven’t run in months or done any conditioning workouts at all for that matter. But smart as I am I ran 2.3 miles to the gym on Monday. I left home around 5:45 a.m., and I was at the gym in 24 minutes. I did my morning jiu-jitsu class and had no leg pain. I started feeling a little heaviness when I was going to the evening class. After the class, in my building, to avoid being in the elevator with another person, I took the stairs. It felt like all my leg muscles had dried out, and it could break at any point. It hurt to take every step. Of course, on Tuesday morning the pain got worse but I made it to the morning class.
Wednesday: Sweatiest Run of My Life
I figured I must run again on Wednesday morning to keep the momentum. I felt I was sweating more than usual and getting tired even before completing a mile. I run along the bus route so I can give up anytime and take the bus. But I didn’t give up, I chose to suffer as always. I got to the gym and of course, the couch wanted to start the class with wrestling drills. I learned later, that it was the hottest day in Chicago history. My apartment had turned into a dry sauna since there is no air conditioning. I worked without eating anything for a presentation till 2 in the afternoon. After all the bad decisions, my body gave up around 5. I was planning to go to the evening class. Usually, it is not even a question. I finish work and get ready for the gym. But that day I was already having a mild headache as a consequence of ignoring my physical health the whole day. The mats turn into a sweat bath even on a good summer day. I couldn’t imagine how bad it might get if everyone turned up for the class. Still debating, I got ready and then decided not to go. I wouldn’t have learned anything with the headache and worse, I could have vomited because of the heat and sweat. It has happened before.
Thursday: Temperatures Rise and the Last Supper
It was even hotter than Wednesday. But I acted wise this time and skipped the morning class. I could not convince myself to work out in a Gi on such a hot day. I had a work outing in the evening at 5 and could not afford to get sick again. The evening was hotter. I left home around 4 for the H lab closing supper at Prairie Moon. It was good to see the lab people again. The last time we met was in December for Christmas dinner. Met some people for the first time, but I have been on email threads with them for a long time. People love to talk about their children. I was the only one on the table who was single and not a parent. And I was the only one who ordered a burger, not a salad. I’m not sure if those things have any correlation.
It surprised me how Dr. H remembered so much about everyone at the table, about their children and spouses. He is an OBGYN, heads a research lab, is well-traveled, is a novelist, and knows how to play poker. I should learn to play poker, maybe that’s what keeps him sharp. He writes fictional novels, which in my opinion is way harder than writing non-fiction. Writing what happened as it is or giving your opinion is way easier than imagining a whole new world. That’s what self-help books are to me, someone’s opinion. If he had said that he writes self-help books, I would have lost all respect for him.
Friday: Striking a Balance
I have been trying to give priority to my social life over training since I came back from India. In the past, I would cancel my plans with friends rather than miss a class. But I am a changed woman now, or so I thought. I did cancel plans the same evening to go out with my friends to eat momos and play mini golf. I chose to train instead. Here is the issue with that, Jiu-jitsu is not good for my body. So unless I am competing, I don’t need to train every day or sometimes twice a day and kill myself. But I still choose to train, it is an addiction at this point. I don’t know why I am doing this or what am I doing. Maybe I need to stop overthinking about it and enjoy it till I get injured.
