Recovery 2

Do I look a bit stressed here?

Maybe, maybe not.

Yesterday was a tricky day for me at work.  Having submitted quite a few agenda items to the Strategic Management Team (from my position as a 'umble middle manager)I was thinking about their meeting while I sat at my desk during the morning.  Perhaps unsurprisingly a Director called me in what was their coffee break with one query and one rant.  Otherwise I awaited the feedback in the afternoon.  I had a total of 6 calls from 2 Directors which was more than I expected.  In a nutshell, a couple of loose ends to tie up, tweak this and have a little more hassle.  The joys of middle management in the public sector.

I sat there thinking that I wasn't handling it very well mentally.  Perhaps it would have been better for me to invite myself there for SMT (normally the CEO is very happy to accommodate me), though perhaps it wouldn't have made much difference other than getting it over and done with, or perhaps explaining things more clearly or gently steering the discussions.

Nevertheless it bothered me, so when I woke in this morning at about 5.00am I decided to have my usual morning cup of tea and then to go for a run!  I left before it was light and did a familiar 6.5mile run.  Doing that was no problem and I'm thinking it won't be too long before I'm back to half marathon level.

As I set off, there were a few spits of rain in the air and very, very windy.  I was determined to not give in because of the weather.  When I got to the top of the Downs, WOW what a blast!  I was having to lean sideways as I ran along the ridge and it really took my breath away.  I was wearing a pair of shorts and the light rain in the wind was almost sandblasting the side of my legs - and yet - I loved it!

Coming back I ran along a rough grassy verge as I have done so many times before.  I could feel my feet and ankles adapting to the rough uneven ground really well and I remember struggling with that when I first started to run.

All in all a really nice, albeit a blowy run.  So pleased I made the effort.  I have some more running shoes on order that should be in soon, so then they'll be no stopping me.

My hand, ah yes.  Maybe it was a combination of the cold temperature and the natural swaying action, it was rather uncomfortable to say the least.  Another reminder of healing still taking place.