Working hard and (at) letting go

I always thought grad school was about writing papers, gaining knowledge and being a loner. I asked several grad students whether they had a life besides school and often got the answer I did not want to get:"Nope, you pretty much live at school!" Before embarking on this journey I always searched for the program I could combine and balance both my personal and school activities. I don't know if it is possible. Can I go through my doctorate without having the people around me thinking I left the planet. Some people don't like to admit this but I do: I like being myself. I enjoy what I do and I love where I am heading. Right now, I get to combine learning with teaching every day and I know there will be challenges but I am having fun creating and absorbing those challenges. However, I must be able to connect with my family and friends in a meaningful way to keep connected and not disappear for 4 years. So a few things I have been working on/ will work on this year:
- Week is for study and training, weekend is for relaxation and friends.
- Get at least 6 hours of sleep each night in order to keep going.
- Have fun while teaching, make and keep it fun, create courses that are manageable, meaningful and interactive.
- Be there for my friends/family/students as much as possible.
- Set goals! (smart ones)
- Be happy, take nothing for granted and enjoy life!

Can I do this? Is it possible for a grad student to balance study, work and life? I think I can. Even though the semester has just started, I am looking at ways to life "smart". Using the wiki/Internet for my courses actually makes things easier on me and the students. Anything that I want my students to learn, or anything that I or my students need is on a central web page! So less paperwork! I like that!

Time Management is big!!! So I use the Calendar to schedule in study time, research time, office hours, work out time in order for me to free up my weekends for FUN! Don't get me wrong, I have fun during the week as well but in the weekend, I want to pursue other goals. I have recently started trail running and just completely fell in love with being outside, running trails and enjoying nature. I can honestly say that I have been on many different planets without ever leaving earth. Being alone, physically exerting myself in nature,is one of the greatest feelings of times. I always thought going for a run or bike ride was good because I could reflect upon a days worth of work, or think of the future. Running trails for hours and hours is much more than that. It goes beyond reflection. Perhaps I reflect for 30 to 60 minutes but really, most of my time is spent enjoying the moment, being grateful for what I have in life and for the ability to use all my senses together. "just being" in the moment is the best feeling in the world. Everything else seems insignificant but you, nature and movement. My first experience with ultra running/trail running was running about 1.5 hrs at Lake Sylvia a few months ago and watching the OT 50 K race.
When I ran, I felt so great and knew that at that time I can let go, I put things in perspective, I relax! When I watched the race, I found family, tranquility and comfort. A wonderful combination and one I will not likely give up.
I dislike getting up in the morning but after getting up twice at 4:30 am this weekend to go run I see the value of early rising.
My goal is to run the 50K at OT next year and complete it. I know I can. I ran 18 miles last Sat, 6 miles Sunday and 24 miles Monday so I know I can run 50K and I can't wait. I may even cheat my goal and run a 50K earlier then next April but because the OT is where I ultimately fell in love with the sport, participating in that race will top it all.
I am now training for long runs, it is different than trying to be active or run 30 min 3 times a week, this is bigger and somehow training for ultras is way more fun!
The best part of ultras is the combination of walking, running, nature and people. You can the best of everything without the competitiveness of a marathon.

Can I combine my work/study with my friends/family/trail running weekends? I want to! I will. Life is so much easier and better having started trail running so I would recommend it to anyone! Here is my plan: working hard during the week and letting go during the weekend! Life is too short to let it go by and I want to be aware of how I am living it!