Light at the end of the tunnel

Coach (The voice of reason) currently has me on a bit of a rest. I'm allowed 30 minutes, 4 times a week, for the next 2 weeks. I probably used up all my "training time" with my 3.5hr mountain hike the day after Timberman, but we're just going to say that didn't count. I took two days off and headed out yesterday for the first time. I hate to admit it, but it was really nice. Dr. C and I ran easy to the park for 20 minutes, did some crunches and pushups, played on the monkeybars and swings, and ran partway home.  At exactly 30 minutes I stopped and started walking. Dr. C said "you've got to be kidding me". I replied, "Nope. Coach says 30 max and I'm sticking to it. You can go ahead and run home if you want. I don't think I'll get attacked. It looks relatively safe here." His reply "Thanks. Now I have to stay with you."

One thing that's good about dropping from around 20 hours per week of training to 2 is that I have a lot of extra time. I could be laying on the couch and watching bad reality TV, but since Dr. C a) doesn't have a couch and b) doesn't have a TV, that option is not available. Instead, I'm focusing extra time and attention on my dissertation work and lighting the fire under some data crunching and manuscript writing. It's all starting to come together.

After 4 years of darkness and despair, I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the PhD tunnel. And that light is getting brighter with each passing day.  I've got lots of publications under my belt and two really exciting ones in the works. I've basically finished collecting all my data--all that stands between me and a dissertation is a research trip to Denmark, which I'll do in December. Come hell or high water, I will defend and graduate spring semester.  Then, I'll insist everyone calls me "Dr. Frayed Laces" and I'll walk around with a brandy snifter permanently attached to one hand.

My internship this summer has paid off, too. I've already been told I can come back as a post-doc researcher. It's ultimately dependent on funding, but I have a slew of grants I can apply for so things look positive. Having a post-doc from an Ivy League institution is going to look killer on my CV and really help launch me towards my goal of a career in academia.  Sure I'm sad I'm leaving Hawaii, but if my diabolical plan to brainwash my roommate and make her move back up here (hear that Tara? You're getting sleepy...very sleepy...) with me follows through, I'll have everything I need to keep me healthy and happy in New England.

So see, sometimes rest periods from training are a good thing. They allow you to catch up on so many other aspects of your life! What are you looking forward to catching up on during your next rest period?