Running with Insomnia

My sleep habits have been all over the place over the last month or so. I've had nights where I would sleep for 13 to 14 hour straight or in 15 minute chunks over 12 hours, waking, checking time, and falling asleep again with no REM time at all. Lately, I've been getting about 2 hours per night.

Unable to sleep the night away and only able to sit in front of my computer for so long, I've been going for these late-night runs as I had mentioned in previous blog entries.

Last night was probably my hardest and longest run to date. I started just after midnight with an enthusiasm of running a marathon. It was already a Portland Autum rain this evening but I started off in just my running shorts, sneakers, long sleeve top, raincoat and wool cap. Of course, I also had my hip pack of two waterbottles, powerbar, MP3 player, cell-phone, wallet and some energy gels. I finished around 3am.

Here's the route I took: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=496374


My runs are getting longer but last nights was a killer. It's not the cardio challenge, it's the wear on my legs that's really tough. I'm just not used to this yet! Out of the 10.5 miles, I walked maybe 2 of those, one of which was the last mile since I was thoroughly soaked and legs were freezing. I guess I need to read up on running in the rain.

The hardest part of this run was Rocky Butte. It's a steep climb and long descent.

NEXT TIME! NEXT TIME I COMPLETE THIS RUN!

I'm OK

I'm OK, really. I may be currently jobless, broke and maybe even a little depressed and desperate...I'm actually OK.

I have the drive to learn something new and go after what I want. I also have the friends to support me and help me in any way they can. For them, I am happy.

I have everything here that I NEED. Things could be better, but it could be a lot worse.

My troublesome dental problems are far from gone, but being managed. Finances are weak but not to the point of desperation. I'm not really interest in a relationship at all right now.

I might lose my car in the near future, but I'm OK with that. Really!

I'm pursuing interests now that have been on my mind for many years and have been something I've always kept in the back of my mind (sometimes up front) since I graduated high, and this is the perfect time for me to pursue.

I have a plan.

I have some technical reading to do. I'm learning some new things, but just polishing and updating knowledge I already have somewhere in my spaghetti psyche.

This post is aimed mostly at the people that I have neglected to keep updated with my life, but time is changing for me and the things that are important are being re-prioritized.

In my studies, I'm learning to abide by the pricinple of K.I.S.S.:

Keep It Simple, Stupid.
or
Keep It Simply Simple
or
Keep It Stupidly Simple

You get the idea. Less is more.

Before you get any funny ideas, I haven't "found" religion or anything like that. I've just come to the realization that most of the things I sold or left behind in Michigan when I moved to Oregon, I don't actually miss.

Sure, really miss my friends and family, but I don't miss having to manage the hundred or so DVDs, games and books that I had.

I had a good job. Some people would argue that it had a good future...but not a good future for me. It was something I could do, but as my interest wained, so did my performance. Why force myself to do something day in and day out that I have no interest in at all? Many people could easily do a job like Garbage Collector or Phone Solicitor, but we don't do those things if we have other choices, do we?

Despite some challenges, I'm doing alright.