Perk up

This weather has 'nap' written all over it. I never appreciated how wonderful naps were until I had J, and experienced sleep deprivation for the first time. I have finely honed the skill, and since sleeping-in on weekends will not be an option again for another 14 years or so, the occasional nap helps me stay productive and healthy.

Today, however, a nap is not in the cards. It is a work day. J does not nap reliably any more. I am a responsible adult.

What I must do instead is look for something to help me perk up. But what? I've never been an afternoon coffee or tea drinker, and caffeine rarely affects me. In fact, warm drinks tend to make me sleepy. I can't go sit outside for some fresh air to clear my head. It's freaking 35 degrees and raining, for crying out loud.

Once I get some work stuff done, the obvious answer is exercise. Today is Wednesday, and that means tempo run day. I have been doing a regular pace now for a while, so clearly I need to kick it up the proverbial notch. Not being in training mode, I am wont to ease up on the challenges. But I need to remember how disappointing my first few long runs of spring were last year (road running is so much harder on one than treadmill running, after all). I had made exactly zero improvement in my pace between October and April though I felt like I had put forth significant effort over the winter months.

There is another good reason to push myself a little now: Lets talk about something unpleasant. As I age, I expect to wrinkle around the eyes and mouth. I expect that my freckles will connect and cover almost my entire person. I expect gray hair. But given my fondness for regular exercise, I never expected BACK FAT. Yes, I have noticed the mushroom-top effect over my jeans of late, but last night after putting on some running pants I caught sight of myself from the back and was shocked to discover this effect, well, on the back part of my waist. I don't know why this was so horrifying, but the image is burned in my mind. Ick.

So onto to the treadmill I shall hop, adding 'hills' along the way. It will not be anywhere near as much fun as a nap, but it will perk me up, and maybe I can buy a little time in my 30-something body.