One month into “retirement.” A call yesterday with China about supporting a Chinese companies entry into the US market. Hours spent mulching and cleaning up my yard. Hours spent trying to make friends with my Amherst gardening tribe helping them prep for the plant sale (digging, potting, filing big pots/moving pots). Hours spent painting my front entry and stairs – a project that’s been on my list for years. I know I’ve been lonely working remote but hadn’t realized how desperate I am to have a nearby friend until a running friend moved up here and I was so excited to know ONE person I could relate to. I prioritized working with garden club over some workouts to help develop my community – a key goal this year.

I have missed a few running workouts and strength workouts because I was just too darn tired after gardening. I am trying to feel better about it thinking gardening is like sled pulls (leaves) and pushes (wheelbarrows), deadlifts (moving pots for plant sale), abwork/lifting (mulching) and that I am becoming stronger even if missing a few runs. I’ve dug up thousands of snowdrops, done heavy pruning of shrubs and still spent a few beautiful days on the Hollis trails.

I go to bed absolutely destroyed each night barely able to move. Is that age? Being out of shape or overweight? Doing too much? Exercise combined with stress of change? I can’t separate all of these variables. Making no progress on losing weight although not eating stupidly either.

I decided to make training the priority and get it done first going forwards so I know I am “The Trained” and that I have done all I can. I came down to TN to help my mom and sister and to play with some cute puppies. The break from all the chores around my house will give me a rest I think I need as I run around Big South Fork.

Trying to figure out what “rest” means and how to slow down a little to process my next steps.