Thought for the Day

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Sloth

I'm not sure why, but I have been absolutely slothful for a week.
Well, I know how it started. My sister-in-law passed away. I was not so close to her that I could claim a need for mourning, but of course, Sue, my wife, was broken up. So my priorities shifted to family matters. I got in one last swim before we left for the funeral. I jogged with Sue in the neighborhood near our motel.
When it came time to go to the funeral, Sue's father couldn't get out of bed. To make a long story short, he had a stroke. It was one of those things where most of the symptoms pass, but he simply can't live alone any more. He needs help to make sure he doesn't fall down when he tries to get anywhere, and someone to make sure he takes all of his meds correctly.
So when I returned home, Sue stayed to help her dad get his affairs in order and get into a new living situation.
I've been here with my son, Francis, who is grown and attending Mesa Community College. It should be easier for me to get up and go do my workouts. I can turn the alarm up. There's no reason to keep the lights out in the room and try to be quiet so I don't wake Sue at 4:30.
Yet somehow I've been a sloth for the past week. It came to a peak yesterday, when I actually got up, started the coffee maker, laid down on the couch, and woke up late for work.
I lost a week of training I really couldn't spare. Well, I didn't totally lose it. I did some kind of exercise after work for the past five days, but I haven't been training enough. It's hard to get back at it.

7 comments:

Sweet Veins said...

If it makes you feel any better I've been a sloth for the past 3 months! I moved, got married, honeymoon, best friend got married in Mexico, starting a new job, etc... I'm on a 2 week roll, hoping I can stick to it! I got my shirt at http://www.cafepress.com/diabetes_sucks1

Jen said...

Jerry,
I hear what your saying. I'm sorry about your family troubles and sometimes we do let them sidetrack us (as they should I mean it's family).

I've been in the same boat in terms of sloth because it's been so damn humid here (95%) for a week and I feel like I can't breath let alone have energy or motivation to get out there and exercise. BUT that's why we have each other and our lovely friends on Triabetes. So they can get our asses in gear and moving. ;)

Think of that song from your last tri...and do one thing each day. I'm rootin for ya!!

Anne Findlay said...

Jerry, I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your sister-in-law and your father-in-law's stroke. I think it's appropriate to take some down time when family matters need to take center stage. I think you have been consistent over the long run and perhaps taking a week away from big workouts will actually be more helpful in the end.

Take care.

agent nero said...

Life happens, Jer. Keep your head up and do what you have to do. Once you get back into the groove, you'll be a better man for having been slothful.

Hua said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hua said...

Hello Jerry,

I am sorry to hear about the pain your family is going through right now. I hope you get back in the swing of things with your training. I am impressed by your blog on diabetes and running/triathlons. I think you should have your voice heard by over 6 million monthly visitors who come to Wellsphere's website to seek information on a variety of health related topics. We would like to raise the awareness of diabetes and athletes, and connect you and other people who are in similar situations. Through Wellsphere's HealthBlogger Network, you can engage with others to lend a helping hand for one another.

For more information about joining, please visit http://www.wellsphere.com/health-blogger or email me at hua [at] wellsphere [dot] com.

Hope to hear from you soon!
Hua
Director of Blogger Networks

Scott K. Johnson said...

I'm sorry to hear about everything going on Jerry. I've no doubt that you'll be back at it in no time.

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