I’ll admit it: I am a creature of habit. I workout early so nothing gets in the way. I like coffee before I run. I walk the dogs at exactly the same time every. single. day. They’re creatures of habit too, after all. Lately though there’s been lots of stuff going on that turned my status quo upside down:
- Schedule: Kids are back in school as of yesterday. Both in new schools, both with new schedules. Thing 1 starts much earlier than last year, which slams shut my beloved early workout window. Waning early morning daylight doesn’t help either.
- Workouts: With recovery from the hip injury still in progress, my workouts have changed too. Lots of homework from Dr. Miracle, plus I’m in the pool for this week at best. Hopefully not longer, but I can’t rule it out just yet.
- Just when my petrified hammys and glutes were starting to thaw, Notorious, my myofascial release guru has moved out of state. Nooooo! After an exhaustive online search, a suitable replacement has yet to be found. Have you tried myofascial release?
Here’s how I’m dealing:
1. Keep an open mind. Change is uncomfortable and scary but we all know real progress and growth happens when we’re out of our comfort zones.
2. Focus on the good. Yes, I’m not running and the early-morning pocket of ‘me time’ is gone. But I can still do yoga, strength train, bike and swim….well pool run. Swimming is a beast I have yet to conquer.
3. Involve those around you. This one’s hard for me. I rarely ask for help. I tend to ball up and harbor stress inside. But (lucky you) I’ve definitely vented my injury frustrations here. Many of you have shared words of wisdom, lent moral support and talked me down from my tree. For that I am eternally grateful. This time around I also sought out medical help sooner than later, which will hopefully pay off.
Does this time of year bring big changes for you? Do you adapt to change easily?
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great secrets! I struggle with change myself and tend to flip out for no reason!
Oh yes I struggle with change! This week it’s been my youngest starting kindergarten! I miss him sooo much! I dealt well with the first day of school because I had an awesome friend who kidnapped me for the day so I couldn’t go home and cry! 🙂
I used to walk bungee everyday at the exact same times, too. Now that I’m trying to get her running, though, we tend to just run whenever. i’m not sure she likes the new schedule.
I hope the pool really is just for this week!
No WAY!! WAHOO!
When you are starting to run again, and want someone to make sure you go really really slowly, call me. You see, I have this newly acquired pocket of A WHOLE DAY that I can’t really seem to wrap my brain around. Ack.
This is my first year with the back-to-school transition. Having two kids exactly the same age helps, I think–I do have to get up a mite earlier, but so far it’s been fine. I’m liking the me time.
I think you’re handling this injury well–early attention is crucial. Denial never helped anyone. And you can always vent to us–we all understand completely!
Wow, you have a lot going on. My kids don’t start until Sept. 5th. One is in 7th and one is in 5th. I would like to say I deal with change well, but I don’t think I do:) I hope your hip feels better soon!
Change can really be tough, especially once we have a comfortable schedule that we are used to and enjoy! I’m such a creature of habit, so I totally understand that feeling!! Your tips are so great though, and very inspirational!! Spalove!
Basically this time of year means a brief teaser of sunshine until mid Sept then it rains continuously until the end of April. I add a raincoat, hat, and pants and am good to go.
Yes, changes can be so hard, but if you keep an open mind and an open heart, they offer so many opportunities, too.
Congrats to your winner!
I am not very good with change, so this post is perfect because I need to really keep an open mind about curtain things going on right now. 🙂
i am a total habit person, I think it’s part of what makes me a good distance runner though. However, I’ve had a few injuries or moves or life and realize now that I’m actually not bad with change. While I prefer my structure, if I can take a few minutes to rework the plan then I’m all good.
Kudos to you on the pool run and getting in to the Y yesterday!!
Tomorrow I will have a full 4 hours to myself for the first time since last year!
I don’t do well with change. I try but um yeah I’m not good with it!
Not a big fan of change here either. Unfortunately it happens whether I want it to or not. It’s hard to be adaptable when it’s just not in your nature. But if you don’t adapt you beat your head against a brick wall in frustration so it’s adapt or die (thanks Charles Darwin). You’ll have your new routine sorted soon.
I would add a fourth thing to your list and it’s tough to do. Don’t fret about things you can’t control. You can’t change them so worrying about them does no good and plenty of bad.
Like you, I dread change like the plague. When it does happen, I whip out a calendar and try to write out a new schedule. I find that the sooner I can come up with a new schedule, the calmer I get.
We have two different schools with giant carpool lines this year, and I’m not loving it so far. There has to be some way to cheat the carpool system and not be stuck in the car for an hour at two schools that are only 3 miles from our house.
I’ve been seeing a PT who does myofascial release. It has helped me a ton! I have been going weekly for about a month.
Oh and the great thing about seeing the PT who does myofascial release is that he takes my insurance!!!
I’m surprised you haven’t bought plane tickets to see Notorious in his new location yet! 🙂 Maybe he lives in Denver and you can get a fix next month (yay!).
LOVE the pic of thing2 on the bus…how cute is that?!?
I don’t adapt to change easily, but I try to make the best of it. I think that your tips are great ones!
I hope that you start to feel better soon!
Wise words! Hope you all adjust to the new school routine quickly. Bummer that you lose your early am workout window. 🙁 I am not a big fan of change either, but life keeps throwing it our way so I’m getting better!
I don’t admit well to change either. But, sounds like we both just keep doing what we’re doing and deal with it. That’s true strength. 😉
Great post!
I am a creature of habit too and I don’t like the changes. But my life is a continuous change: the different Naval Bases when I was in the Navy, the life as a parent and now as a grandpa, the injures. And i am blessed because I have a wonderful wife.
ugh! my PT moved away earlier this summer and I am lost without her. feeling your pain!