And the thing that has suffered most is my body! It has been neglected, I now have tendinitis in my shoulder, achy fingers most days and I'm dirty most of the time. But I am also painfully out of shape. Which gets me to the point of this post.
Wesley has joined a group at school called Couch to 5K, There is a good website that describes the program. I looked it up and thought, "hey, this is something I can actually do." It takes 20 minutes to get started, easy enough, and you work up to longer distance running slowly enough to not be in pain and get unmotivated. So, I started last Sunday and today, I moved up to the next level. Run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, etc., warm up 5 minutes, cool down 5 minutes. Totally able to do this! Wesley is home from school this weekend so we went out together this morning. Her legs are so long, her stride is like a thoroughbred and mine is like a pony next to her, ha! But it was fun and she stayed with me although she is now at the running for 8 minutes level. Yesterday we went for a hike, so every day since last Sunday I have been physically active and I'm sort of pissed at clay for keeping me so non active for so long. And clay is exactly why I haven't done anything else, it is an obsessive material and I'm thinking we might need a minor separation for a little while soon. Or either, I need to do something new with it. I'm getting to a place where I am just trying to make enough work to sell, and trying to figure out what people these days can afford and what do people want, and I am not enjoying this so much. I don't want to get tired of clay, but I need to approach it in a different way for awhile, I think. I need to be working every day making enough for the upcoming holidays, but instead I am paying attention to my body and my family and those needs. It's like dealing with a beam scale, I'm trying to find the balance right now. I'm sure there is one, just got to make it happen!
9 comments:
Ha! It's easy to get wooed by the clay love, as you well document! I used to run and finally got sick of it. However, when I see another runner I get a twinge of jealousy! We moved to walking and this way we can talk and bring the dogs with us. To get it all in I get up at 4 a.m. to get my weekday walk ~ yes, crazy, but gotta get it done! Go get 'em!!!
I think balance is the ongoing, never-ending struggle, challenge, project (choose your word) that is our ultimate life's work. We all know stories about artists of all kinds who've burnt themselves to a crisp and died, so no more work at all to share.
If you figure this out bless you! It's been thirty years and I am still struggling with this.....
Used to be a runner, rock climber and cyclist. Grew up speed skating and then this clay thing popped on my radar. My butt has never been the same....... It occurred to me early on I didn't know any marathon runners who were potters. I still don't. Two more shows and I'm blowing the dust off my Nike's :)
What are you Crazy!?!? Running is for sissys. Don't do it. Really. I hear it clears the mind. And connects you to OUTSIDE!!!!!
I always joke that I don't need a gym because I'm a potter meaning I'm always carrying 25 - 50 pounds of clay, doing booth set-up squats, running around the studio like a crazy woman because I have to get something into the glaze kiln last minute and now you tell me it's not exercise! CRAP!
Seriously, I've heard lots of good stuff about that program, have fun with it.
Not getting up at 4am, no way! I'm always amazed at people that have that kind of discipline!
Shannon, yes balance is important, I'm a Libra after all:)
Sandy, I just have to get some exercise, my body is feeling it!
Susan, you crack me up, so nice to laugh so early in the day , xox
Lori, I always tell myself I'm getting exercise with this pottery business too, but what I'm really getting is an aching body! Feels much better to just run!
Years ago I was told that one of the healthiest things a potter can do is drink a pot of tea in the morning. It will have you going to the bathroom every 20-30 min. and encourage you to exercise in small bursts.
Glad to hear via Hollis that Gerry is safe....even if he is out wading around in the water.....we are still on the edge of Sandy.
Take care!
alright, this is a sign to get moving...i've spent the last 3 yrs focussed on fiber & work, letting everything else (body & home) slide. hmmm.
Great post, thanks! I need to exercise more- yet my excuse these days is that allergies are so bad. :( anyway, thanks for the inspiring words!
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