Today's mantra: You can feel sore tomorrow or you can feel sorry tomorrow. You choose.
It is your choice to complete the task, to make the change, or to do a killer run and feel sore, tired, exhausted. Or you can not do any of them and feel only regret!
Today I procrastinated a lot. The library was closed and I usually use that time to catch up on a lot of work I can't do when we are open and I'm constantly being interrupted.
Funnily enough, there were a number of interruptions today - air-conditioner maintenance people turned up; council staff dropping things off or ringing me up; customers ringing up to renew items (yes I answer the phone just in case someone is actually trying to find me); other libraries ringing to check if we have such and such book - so the list goes on.
I did manage to get one exciting thing done today - I registered for the upcoming NSW Public Libraries Conference. This year it will be in Mudgee, NSW in November. Another town I have never been too and another exciting networking/professional development event to look forward to.
I also booked my accommodation at the Mudgee Riverside Caravan and Tourist Park. I booked a cabin as I found when I recently visited Nundle, staying in a cabin in the local caravan park can be just as comfortable as staying in a motel. And it gives you a bit extra room around you so that you don't feel cramped. Basically it means I can make more of a mess. I don't know if anyone else finds that their suitcase contents becomes scattered all over the hotel/motel room when they stay over. But mine certainly does. So now I can have a whole cabin full of mess!!
I then got a bit distracted and started looking at possible running routes and places that I could check out during my early morning runs. Also checked out the local sporting fields and ovals to see if there are places for me to do my makeshift boot camp. Yes I have my priorities right. Closer to the date I will get onto my FB running pages and ask if there are any local Mudgee runners who might like some company while I'm there or to show me the best running routes. I love being connected to other runners and we are such great bunches of people that it doesn't matter if you don't know each other, you will run together and find stuff to talk about - mainly pace, fuel, different races etc.
Talking about running - my lunch time run today was a bit of a killer. I had heavy legs and was really struggling with the hills - but I felt sore rather than sorry!! And since I did manage to tick 2 things off my "to do" list today - I will say I ended the day not feeling sorry!!
Did you make the choice to day to feel sore or sorry?!?
Monday, June 2, 2014
Saturday, May 31, 2014
It's not the number of reps I do, it's the quality #blogjune #1
I'm back!! Yes it's that time of year again where I commit to writing something on my blog for all of June.
To get me motivated this time, I'm using some daily mantra's I'm stealing from Women's Fitness magazine, the first being: It's not the number of reps I do, it's the quality.
While that quote is related to working out, it can also be related to many other things, basically it's not the quantity it's the quality! We only get one life so let's make sure it's a quality one!!!
It can also relate back to libraries - it's not how many books/items you have in the collection, it's the quality of what you have! It's not the size of the library, it's the quality of what's inside!
Recently, well about 2 weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the Public Libraries NSW Association North East Zone meeting at Nundle, NSW.
Nundle recently had a new library built. Nundle Library is part of Central Northern Regional Library service. Like a few small libraries I've visited in recent years (Guyra comes to mind), it is built within the council administration building. This allows the library to be open even when library staff are not available. You see, Nundle library has a self check out kiosk that can be used when library staff are not working. And if they need any assistance, council customer service staff are trained in the basics to assist. Now isn't this a great idea for those smaller council areas that don't have the financial resources to have long opening hours!
I shared some photos of Nundle library on my facebook page (note only my friends can see them but if you aren't my friend, send me a request).
Nundle is a beautiful town just North of Tamworth, NSW. I love driving out this way because the landscape is beautiful and while the drive is long (approximately 4 hours), it is no way boring. Driving through Dorrigo, Uralla, and Armidale is never boring. I am so thankful that my job allows me to see such places.
While at Nundle library, Central Northern Regional Library staff gave us a brief demonstration of a 3D Printer. They have purchased a small one which they plan on taking around to all of their branches and providing library users with demonstrations and hands on experience with this relatively new technology.
I am still in mixed minds over whether this technology would be embraced in my library's communities, and it was interesting as some of the councillor's that accompany the library staff who attend these meetings also asked whether it really is the library's place to spend huge amounts on technology when it could be spent on more relevant resources.
I suppose this rings true with libraries constantly battling for extra funds, but does technology like 3D printers open the door for some money making opportunities???
The other fun thing that happened at Nundle, was some fellow librarians participated in geocaching. Now fellow #blogjune (well I hope he is this year), Andrew at Geocaching Librarian, has composed a number of posts about geocaching so I was familiar with it. But I had to laugh while I was out running in the early morning cold, I noted that some fellow librarians taking a lot of interest in an old piece of machinery by the river that runs through Nundle. Later I asked if they were trying to work out what the machinery was and they said that they were in fact looking for a geocaching item.
After a hearty breakfast they continued on their hunt for the various geocaching items left around Nundle. This may be something I look into further and make it a family activity.
To get me motivated this time, I'm using some daily mantra's I'm stealing from Women's Fitness magazine, the first being: It's not the number of reps I do, it's the quality.
While that quote is related to working out, it can also be related to many other things, basically it's not the quantity it's the quality! We only get one life so let's make sure it's a quality one!!!
It can also relate back to libraries - it's not how many books/items you have in the collection, it's the quality of what you have! It's not the size of the library, it's the quality of what's inside!
Recently, well about 2 weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the Public Libraries NSW Association North East Zone meeting at Nundle, NSW.
Nundle recently had a new library built. Nundle Library is part of Central Northern Regional Library service. Like a few small libraries I've visited in recent years (Guyra comes to mind), it is built within the council administration building. This allows the library to be open even when library staff are not available. You see, Nundle library has a self check out kiosk that can be used when library staff are not working. And if they need any assistance, council customer service staff are trained in the basics to assist. Now isn't this a great idea for those smaller council areas that don't have the financial resources to have long opening hours!
I shared some photos of Nundle library on my facebook page (note only my friends can see them but if you aren't my friend, send me a request).
Nundle is a beautiful town just North of Tamworth, NSW. I love driving out this way because the landscape is beautiful and while the drive is long (approximately 4 hours), it is no way boring. Driving through Dorrigo, Uralla, and Armidale is never boring. I am so thankful that my job allows me to see such places.
While at Nundle library, Central Northern Regional Library staff gave us a brief demonstration of a 3D Printer. They have purchased a small one which they plan on taking around to all of their branches and providing library users with demonstrations and hands on experience with this relatively new technology.
I am still in mixed minds over whether this technology would be embraced in my library's communities, and it was interesting as some of the councillor's that accompany the library staff who attend these meetings also asked whether it really is the library's place to spend huge amounts on technology when it could be spent on more relevant resources.
I suppose this rings true with libraries constantly battling for extra funds, but does technology like 3D printers open the door for some money making opportunities???
The other fun thing that happened at Nundle, was some fellow librarians participated in geocaching. Now fellow #blogjune (well I hope he is this year), Andrew at Geocaching Librarian, has composed a number of posts about geocaching so I was familiar with it. But I had to laugh while I was out running in the early morning cold, I noted that some fellow librarians taking a lot of interest in an old piece of machinery by the river that runs through Nundle. Later I asked if they were trying to work out what the machinery was and they said that they were in fact looking for a geocaching item.
After a hearty breakfast they continued on their hunt for the various geocaching items left around Nundle. This may be something I look into further and make it a family activity.
Monday, January 6, 2014
On the twelfth day of Christmas...
I pondered how weird looking the word "twelfth" is - perhaps even more so because I had issues trying to spell it!
I know I promised two posts today but I'm thinking I might just throw my epiphany post in here for good measure and I'm running out of steam.
I will have you know that I had heaps of blog posts written in my head during my afternoon walks for the last 12 days but by the time I got home and did everything I had to before I could find the time to sit down and write them - they were gone! I will never be a good writer!
Today I started the day with my own solo boot camp - and this was after an afternoon of bubbles the day before. I decided that I had to watch the final of the Brisbane International Tennis and in order to enjoy it more, I would have a few glasses of bubbly. So I was very impressed that I managed to run around the sports fields this morning, inflicting all sorts of punishment on my body without any feeling of being hung over. I think being fit means your blood flows quicker and therefore the alcohol exits your body quicker - well that's my theory!! Another reason to keep exercising and staying fit.
From there I had to take Miss A to swimming lessons and then she had a friend over. I then took the girls down to the lagoon/river for a swim. Once Miss A's friend had left, I ventured out for my afternoon walk a little later than normal and proceeded to run into friends and talk for 20 minutes and only walk 1.8km. Not much to put toward my Run Down Under journey but still some form of exercise so it all helps!
Just before I was going to write this post, I stumbled on a twitter response concerning a few of my twitter friends and I commenting on our reluctance to go back to work. A twitter friend responded by saying it sounded like we didn't like our jobs. I have to say at the moment for me work is a love/hate relationship. I love interacting with the community and providing such a great service, but I hate what is happening behind the scenes in a wider organisation sense and the stress that goes with the behind the scenes.
As I mentioned previously, I am in a rut and I'm not sure how I'm going to regain my motivation to get out of it. I am happy (not sure if that is the right word for it) to sit tight for the time being, and also work on the things that are making me unhappy (again not really the right word for it - perhaps challenges are a better way of looking at it - or even better possible opportunities).
I just wish the motivation I am feeling for running and the feeling of accomplishment I get from it could be transferred to my work life. I am hoping the confidence and achievement I am gaining from running will provide me with the confidence skills I need to achieve the things I want to achieve in my work life.
That's not really an epiphany but it will do for now.
I look forward to sharing more thoughts, achievements and general reflections with you all throughout 2014 and will be looking for any blog challenges coming up to participate in. Thank you for your readership and your comments!
I know I promised two posts today but I'm thinking I might just throw my epiphany post in here for good measure and I'm running out of steam.
I will have you know that I had heaps of blog posts written in my head during my afternoon walks for the last 12 days but by the time I got home and did everything I had to before I could find the time to sit down and write them - they were gone! I will never be a good writer!
Today I started the day with my own solo boot camp - and this was after an afternoon of bubbles the day before. I decided that I had to watch the final of the Brisbane International Tennis and in order to enjoy it more, I would have a few glasses of bubbly. So I was very impressed that I managed to run around the sports fields this morning, inflicting all sorts of punishment on my body without any feeling of being hung over. I think being fit means your blood flows quicker and therefore the alcohol exits your body quicker - well that's my theory!! Another reason to keep exercising and staying fit.
From there I had to take Miss A to swimming lessons and then she had a friend over. I then took the girls down to the lagoon/river for a swim. Once Miss A's friend had left, I ventured out for my afternoon walk a little later than normal and proceeded to run into friends and talk for 20 minutes and only walk 1.8km. Not much to put toward my Run Down Under journey but still some form of exercise so it all helps!
Just before I was going to write this post, I stumbled on a twitter response concerning a few of my twitter friends and I commenting on our reluctance to go back to work. A twitter friend responded by saying it sounded like we didn't like our jobs. I have to say at the moment for me work is a love/hate relationship. I love interacting with the community and providing such a great service, but I hate what is happening behind the scenes in a wider organisation sense and the stress that goes with the behind the scenes.
As I mentioned previously, I am in a rut and I'm not sure how I'm going to regain my motivation to get out of it. I am happy (not sure if that is the right word for it) to sit tight for the time being, and also work on the things that are making me unhappy (again not really the right word for it - perhaps challenges are a better way of looking at it - or even better possible opportunities).
I just wish the motivation I am feeling for running and the feeling of accomplishment I get from it could be transferred to my work life. I am hoping the confidence and achievement I am gaining from running will provide me with the confidence skills I need to achieve the things I want to achieve in my work life.
That's not really an epiphany but it will do for now.
I look forward to sharing more thoughts, achievements and general reflections with you all throughout 2014 and will be looking for any blog challenges coming up to participate in. Thank you for your readership and your comments!
Saturday, January 4, 2014
On the eleventh day of Christmas...
I headed to Valla Beach at 5.45am to meet some running friends for our regular Saturday social run. We run in different places each Saturday morning (although we do seem to favour Valla), and then have breakfast at the local café on completion of the run.
The run is usually an easier run and goes for an hour. Unfortunately our run was cut short due to one of our runners tripping and falling over. They couldn't walk or run so thankfully some lovely tourist drove one of the other runners back to our cars so they could bring theirmcar over to pick upmthe fallen runner.
Once the rescue operation was complete, I continued running and then drove home and had breakfast.
Miss A and I then went to the park and Miss A had a swim and we stopped for a slushy and frozen yoghurt on the way home.
It was hot and humid again today but not as bad as yesterday or what it was like in my hometown of Ipswich. Thankfully two years ago I made the decision not to visit Ipswich in summer.
The rest of the day followed the routine of previous days with trashy tv, afternoon walk and more trashy tv.
I have just realised that tomorrow is the second last day of #blog12daysxmas and then we finish with the epiphany. And I really haven't done much in the way of reflection. That could be because it would mean I have to think about work and I don't want to do that while on holidays.
However, I will comment about @shewgirl blog post from yesterday http://shewgirl.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/day-6-gourmet-3d-printing-blog12daysxmas.html
I would love a 3D printer that printed meals but my weight loss would suffer.
I absolutely wonder if libraries are the place for 3D printers and would love to hear more about how 3D printers are being used in libraries and whether it is something library users want or need in their libraries? I go back to core services and traditional roles of libraries. Food for thought but worthy of a blog post on its own.
The run is usually an easier run and goes for an hour. Unfortunately our run was cut short due to one of our runners tripping and falling over. They couldn't walk or run so thankfully some lovely tourist drove one of the other runners back to our cars so they could bring theirmcar over to pick upmthe fallen runner.
Once the rescue operation was complete, I continued running and then drove home and had breakfast.
Miss A and I then went to the park and Miss A had a swim and we stopped for a slushy and frozen yoghurt on the way home.
It was hot and humid again today but not as bad as yesterday or what it was like in my hometown of Ipswich. Thankfully two years ago I made the decision not to visit Ipswich in summer.
The rest of the day followed the routine of previous days with trashy tv, afternoon walk and more trashy tv.
I have just realised that tomorrow is the second last day of #blog12daysxmas and then we finish with the epiphany. And I really haven't done much in the way of reflection. That could be because it would mean I have to think about work and I don't want to do that while on holidays.
However, I will comment about @shewgirl blog post from yesterday http://shewgirl.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/day-6-gourmet-3d-printing-blog12daysxmas.html
I would love a 3D printer that printed meals but my weight loss would suffer.
I absolutely wonder if libraries are the place for 3D printers and would love to hear more about how 3D printers are being used in libraries and whether it is something library users want or need in their libraries? I go back to core services and traditional roles of libraries. Food for thought but worthy of a blog post on its own.
Friday, January 3, 2014
On the tenth day of Christmas...
I did amature bootcamp on my own. I should explain what I mean about amature bootcamp. The "real" bootcamp I attend is professional and facilitated by a fitness professional. It is for women only and we do a variety of exercise on a sports field. We don't use car tyres or heavy ropes, and the facilitator does not yell at us. It is very supportive and encouraging.
Currently, real bootcamp is on a break. So up until now, another bootcamp attendee and I had been putting together our own sessions based on exercises we do at real bootcamp. Today I did it alone as, my partner in crime had to return to Sydney. I have been doing this to ensure I remain fit during the holiday period and keep the weight off.
After bootcamp, I took Miss A to the park but it was pretty hot so we headed home with Miss A having a slushy and I had a frozen yoghurt.
Once home Miss A continued her obsession with Minecraft youtube videos and I watched aa rerun of Packed to the Rafters. I then cleaned out Miss A's clothes. I will be donating 2 garbage bags of clothes to the local op shops. I plan on cleaning my clothes out before i return to work.
At 3pm I went for my afternoon walk and then continued reading Running against time by Chris Pavey. I'm still in a running book reading phase.
A number of library twitter friends have been mentioning the return of their reading mojos. Mine has been a lost cause this year. I started well but then my 2nd job took up , ore time and then running became a focus. Social media has also become more popular as I connect with fellow runners and share my running goals and achievements.
Now if only I could get the same motivation and enthusiasm for my work life, I'd have that work life balance worked out.
When in a rut in your work life, how ddo you get it back?
Currently, real bootcamp is on a break. So up until now, another bootcamp attendee and I had been putting together our own sessions based on exercises we do at real bootcamp. Today I did it alone as, my partner in crime had to return to Sydney. I have been doing this to ensure I remain fit during the holiday period and keep the weight off.
After bootcamp, I took Miss A to the park but it was pretty hot so we headed home with Miss A having a slushy and I had a frozen yoghurt.
Once home Miss A continued her obsession with Minecraft youtube videos and I watched aa rerun of Packed to the Rafters. I then cleaned out Miss A's clothes. I will be donating 2 garbage bags of clothes to the local op shops. I plan on cleaning my clothes out before i return to work.
At 3pm I went for my afternoon walk and then continued reading Running against time by Chris Pavey. I'm still in a running book reading phase.
A number of library twitter friends have been mentioning the return of their reading mojos. Mine has been a lost cause this year. I started well but then my 2nd job took up , ore time and then running became a focus. Social media has also become more popular as I connect with fellow runners and share my running goals and achievements.
Now if only I could get the same motivation and enthusiasm for my work life, I'd have that work life balance worked out.
When in a rut in your work life, how ddo you get it back?
Thursday, January 2, 2014
On the ninth day of Christmas. ..
I started the day at 5.30am with an 18km run - great start to Run Down Under continues. Miss A had a playdate at Nambucca Heads so I dropped her off and headed to Woolies to do the shopping.
Once home I mowed the lawn and went for a short afternoon walk. It was very hot.
A fairly uneventful day and now I'm watching the tennis.
What did the ninth day bring you?
Once home I mowed the lawn and went for a short afternoon walk. It was very hot.
A fairly uneventful day and now I'm watching the tennis.
What did the ninth day bring you?
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
On the eighth day of Christmas...
I wished you all a Happy New Year!!
I had a little sleep in this morning, until 6am. Then I was up and thinking about what to eat for breakfast that would not cause me any incidents during my fun run at 9am. I decided on toast with peanut butter and honey and a banana (well half a one because it was a bit too ripe).
I got the rest of the family up at 7.15am and we headed up to Sawtell at 8am. I was worried I was running late and would not be able to find a park and register before 9am but we got there in time and all was good.
It was hot! The run was to start at 9am but didn't get away until 9.15am. It was good to have my family there to support me and take video (and another one) and photos of the run. Apparently, there were about 300 people participating.
Did I mention it was hot?!? Well the first leg of the run after you have done a loop of the main street of Sawtell takes you up a fairly lengthy incline. Then it's flat for a few kilometres and then you hit another hill about 1/2 km from the finish line. I didn't do any sprints to the finish in this run as it was just too hot. But it's given me good practice for the next run at Coffs on Australia day. I plan on doing the 10km.
Once I had completed the run, we headed to the inflatable slide for Miss A to have a go and then headed home to get changed into togs (swimmers) to go to the beach.
I was pretty tired so we only splashed around at the beach for an hour or so and then headed home, stopping for an ice cream on the way!
Until I did my walk this afternoon, I spent most of it watching Man vs Food - which really is quite an amazing and disgusting show - disgusting because of the amount of food consumed.
I'm sure I'm supposed to mention some resolutions in this post and perhaps some reflections on the year just passed. 2013 was a fairly ordinary year except for joining bootcamp and meeting some wonderful women that live in my area. Taking up jogging and losing weight and completing two 10km fun runs.
On the job front, there wasn't really too much excitement. We implemented ebooks and emagazines are in the process of installing RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). But personally work did not see many amazing achievements for me. In fact, I think it's safe to say I'm in a bit of a rut. Changes happened external to the library in our organisation that has affected moral a little and I'm looking for ways to improve on running the three branch libraries and being a better manager/supervisor. Perhaps 2014 will the be year. No I think 2014 will be the year - it has to be.
So for 2014 I would like to continue running and complete the following runs (I hope) - half marathon at Port Macquarie in March, half marathon at South West Rocks in June (I think), half marathon at Ipswich in July, and half marathon at Coffs in September.
I'm also going to trial doing speed sessions on a Tuesday morning with a running friend. These are held in Coffs so it will mean having to be ultra organised on Tuesday mornings.
Work wise, I'm going to work on being less emotional, more organised; getting the libraries in the face of our organisation; making the performance appraisal process and goals more meaningful for my staff; and continue learning. And getting some motivation back!
I had a little sleep in this morning, until 6am. Then I was up and thinking about what to eat for breakfast that would not cause me any incidents during my fun run at 9am. I decided on toast with peanut butter and honey and a banana (well half a one because it was a bit too ripe).
I got the rest of the family up at 7.15am and we headed up to Sawtell at 8am. I was worried I was running late and would not be able to find a park and register before 9am but we got there in time and all was good.
It was hot! The run was to start at 9am but didn't get away until 9.15am. It was good to have my family there to support me and take video (and another one) and photos of the run. Apparently, there were about 300 people participating.
Did I mention it was hot?!? Well the first leg of the run after you have done a loop of the main street of Sawtell takes you up a fairly lengthy incline. Then it's flat for a few kilometres and then you hit another hill about 1/2 km from the finish line. I didn't do any sprints to the finish in this run as it was just too hot. But it's given me good practice for the next run at Coffs on Australia day. I plan on doing the 10km.
Once I had completed the run, we headed to the inflatable slide for Miss A to have a go and then headed home to get changed into togs (swimmers) to go to the beach.
I was pretty tired so we only splashed around at the beach for an hour or so and then headed home, stopping for an ice cream on the way!
Until I did my walk this afternoon, I spent most of it watching Man vs Food - which really is quite an amazing and disgusting show - disgusting because of the amount of food consumed.
I'm sure I'm supposed to mention some resolutions in this post and perhaps some reflections on the year just passed. 2013 was a fairly ordinary year except for joining bootcamp and meeting some wonderful women that live in my area. Taking up jogging and losing weight and completing two 10km fun runs.
On the job front, there wasn't really too much excitement. We implemented ebooks and emagazines are in the process of installing RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). But personally work did not see many amazing achievements for me. In fact, I think it's safe to say I'm in a bit of a rut. Changes happened external to the library in our organisation that has affected moral a little and I'm looking for ways to improve on running the three branch libraries and being a better manager/supervisor. Perhaps 2014 will the be year. No I think 2014 will be the year - it has to be.
So for 2014 I would like to continue running and complete the following runs (I hope) - half marathon at Port Macquarie in March, half marathon at South West Rocks in June (I think), half marathon at Ipswich in July, and half marathon at Coffs in September.
I'm also going to trial doing speed sessions on a Tuesday morning with a running friend. These are held in Coffs so it will mean having to be ultra organised on Tuesday mornings.
Work wise, I'm going to work on being less emotional, more organised; getting the libraries in the face of our organisation; making the performance appraisal process and goals more meaningful for my staff; and continue learning. And getting some motivation back!
Miss A and I before my run today
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