Read Much, Run Far

Ugh, everything is annoying me today. Professors who think they are published authors and send in "manuscripts" with beautifully formatted page numbering, tables of contents, etc. except they send it in a Word document, so said formatting disappears as soon as it's opened on another computer. Professors who try to sneak copyrighted material into their packets without telling us, hoping to get it for free. Sales reps who couldn't enter their own phone numbers correctly into a computer, let alone enter a job correctly. Sales reps who ask for a same-day turnaround on a job, then commit to the professor without clearing it and then try to blame everyone except themselves. I am so glad it's Friday, and I am sure as hell not working this weekend!

Ever since one of the other project coordinators left and I was given a large amount of her work (with no corresponding increase in money, I hasten to add), I've been growing increasingly bitter about this place. Another is going back to school in January, and there has been no talk of replacing her, either. My workload has roughly doubled, and I certainly can't take any more. I know I need to be looking for another job, but this one has one major perk that I know I can't take for granted: they leave me alone. I can pretty much do whatever I want as long as the work gets done on time. I can wear pretty much whatever I want, within reason. My boss oversees, but rarely engages in any kind of direct supervision. Having previously worked under a boss who was nothing short of insufferable when it came to micro-management, it's not something I want to give up in a hurry. Siiiiigh.

Anyway, ranting is pretty commonplace around here at this time of year. That they're not replacing the people who have left lately is worrisome, but if this place closes down suddenly, we do have enough in savings to tide us over until I can find another job.

But enough of that! On to a more cheerful subject! Running-wise I've been taking it pretty easy this week; I did end up skipping the tempo workout and I also cut back on the strength training. Originally I had thought to build up past 40 miles per week in preparation for marathon training, but now I'm thinking I'll hold steady around 40 for a few weeks until my body gets used to it. It is "base" training, after all.

Tonight I'm driving down to Clarksville to visit the parents and deliver some Christmas presents. And also, of course, to run the Reindeer Romp 4K tomorrow. I'm not exactly sure what to expect from this race, so I won't set a lot of detailed goals. I will be simply thrilled if I can be anywhere close to 17:48, which was the split at 4K during the PR 8K two weeks ago. It's a hilly course, and there's a forecast for freezing rain tomorrow morning, so I'll just have to see how things go. :)