In an ideal world I break up my day. I take Cheddar out for a walk, I write for a bit, then maybe mid morning, I go for a run, shower, and then bike into my office. Oh, summer days. Walking, running, biking, and writing, all before noon.
But summer is soon ending. I’m a professor and my schedule is about to change radically. Soon there’ll be undergraduate students, and classes, and meetings, oh my. Today I had meetings starting at ten, not the earliest start to the work day, I know, but also a work dinner and reception that would go until 8 pm. That’s a long day to leave a dog, even with my mother next door.
So come 8 am I strapped on the waist leash and took Cheddar out for a run. It’s the busy professor’s perfect combo, the dog gets a walk and I get a run. But it’s not a perfect compromise.
This morning wasn’t perfect for sure. It was garbage day so there was some interval training involved. Run/stop/sniff/repeat. There was also some hopping and jumping and leash biting. (He does best if we run in the evening when he’s more tired or after we’ve romped in the backyard first to get the puppy stuff out of his system.)
But when I’m busy, in the real weekday world of late August and September, it does mean I get to move and so does he.
Does back to school mean a change in schedule for you? What do you do to fit movement in? Any compromises you’d like to share?
I am a teacher and going backbto school next week. You are so right in this post. There’s such a need for balance and self-care. Thank you for this!
I have a gym membership at the campus and also use the track there. I take advantage of any 2 hour gap between meetings or classes to get a workout done. With a fully equipped locker where I leave all products, towels, and spare clothes, it is easy.
Balancing a workout & work schedule with a dog is tough. I am trying to get in the habit of running with my dog in the morning (before he’s stuck alone for hours), but I much prefer running in the evenings. Like your dog, he’s better on leash if the energy’s worked out, which means I really need to take him to the dog park first. It’s a 1-2 hour endeavor, which is too much for pre-work most days!