From the very first stride this morning, my body wanted to stop, bones and muscles and lungs. I’m not sure what the reason was; the weather turned cooler, or I may be experiencing some sort of mild allergy? In any case, I pushed on and made an adequate time — my rolling average ticked upward for the first time in two weeks, but not as much as it dropped yesterday, so I’m still moving in the right direction. I want not to care, but at least I’m not straining to get faster — just being pleased to be a bit smoother, a bit stronger on a steady basis.
Writing has frustrated me for the past couple of days. Interruptions, the sense of urgency, my felt need to secure documentation and background for any claims I want to make, all slow me down at a moment when I really, really need to just write it out. Pretty much everyone in academia (and many beyond) will recognise that experience, especially those who’ve dealt with the grinding-down cross currents of admin demands, research, teaching loads, and care for students, but there’s nowt for it but to put my head down, do what I can, and look forward to retirement. I love research and I love reading and I don’t mind writing, but deadlines…