Despite coming to work at 7:30am for the first four days of this week, I was still leaving work at my usual time, 6:30pm or later. As such, it feels like each day is almost completely filled up by work. I get home, make dinner and watch some television. By 11pm, I'm tired enough to fall asleep.
My sore throat was already disappearing by Tuesday. I have been careful with it and not gone for any of the runs in my training schedule. I have small doubts about how well prepared I will be by October 19. In two weeks time, I will be taking a holiday in England and Northern Ireland. I might not do much running while I am over there. I return to The Netherlands just two weeks before the marathon, and most of the last week is mandatory resting before race day.
At work, I have been busy with sorting out the administrative folders of some clients. It has been just like audit testing, but with a much larger sample. It's easy but repetitive. I have made a huge list of questions that Paul, the client and I will be going through next week.
My working relationship with Paul has improved since last week, but it is not as if it could have gotten much worse. I haven't really settled on the best way to work in this office. For now, I'm generally acquiescing to everything that Paul says (it's not worth the argument), working hard on my tasks and helping out the new employees.
The other night, Paul was watching over his 1-year old son, Lars, in his office. I glanced over, and saw Lars stand up, clumsily walk for about two metres, and fall down again. They were his first steps. Paul confirmed this to me. I was in a happy mood because I had seen something so special. Paul stopped work, and looked at his son with such a loving, yet amazed, look in his eyes. For that moment, I saw him in a different light, and forgot about what happened last Thursday.
posted by James 7:08 pm
On Saturday morning, I could feel a sore throat coming on. I think this was a result of my walk home in the rain on Thursday night. I should have had a hot shower right after coming inside, but I delayed it until just before I went to bed.
To be prudent, I decided not to go on either of my weekend runs and I told Maja and Moise that I wouldn't be going out with them on Saturday night. I spent much of my time in bed, drinking so much tea and watching the World Athletics Championships.
Last week, my time management fell to pieces. I accomplished hardly any of the goals that I had set for myself. I want to make a better effort at it this week.
posted by James 9:11 am