Ask Emily: Get over the wall
By Susan Pugh on Sep. 24, 2008
Dear Emily: I’ve been training for a 10K race as a way to get into shape. For the first two months, everything was great. I kept increasing my distance and speed with every run I went on. But these last few weeks I’ve completely hit a wall and seem to be exhausted every time I go out for a run. Do you think this is a mental thing, or is this problem a common one among athletes?
- Not fast and furious
Dear Not fast and furious: When it comes to fitness, everyone can relate to what it means to “hit a wall.” Whether you just can’t reach your goal weight, beat your personal records anymore, or find the motivation to keep trying, it happens to everyone. Especially when someone is training hard for a specific event, it’s quite common to train too hard and too often and become burned out. To get past your slump, you need to reevaluate your training program. Make sure you have enough days off to let your mind and body recuperate. Also change your exercise routine a little to give yourself something different to look forward to. For example, instead of running alone, join a running group to get the added support of fellow athletes. Or change your running location for a little variety.
Dear Emily: What are the statistics about how many different careers people have in a lifetime? I want to get out of the real estate industry, but my wife keeps telling me it’s too risky to change careers this late in life, but I just don’t think that’s true. I’m forty-three years old and believe I can find a number of different, more appealing, jobs if I put my mind to it.
- New job or bust
Dear New job or bust: Unfortunately I can’t give you any statistics about career changes because the data is limited. This is because “career change” could mean switching career fields or just merely switching employers. What I can tell you is that people much older than you do change their careers. Check out the book “The Longevity Factor” by Lydia Bronte. It aims to reverse negative assumptions about old age by exploring the experiences of notable people in their 70s (and older) in entirely new post-retirement careers. It may not directly apply to you, but it would be a great book for your wife to read to help her become more supportive of your decision.
Dear Emily: I keep getting passed up for a promotion at work, and I’m tired of it. I work harder than everyone else around me and I always get the job done, so why is it I can never catch a break? I want to complain to my boss, but I don’t think that is the right way to get his attention. How should I make him aware that I am unhappy about the situation without just becoming a thorn in his side?
- All work and no pay
Dear All work and no pay: You can talk to your boss without complaining. Ask to speak to him about your job performance and then find out exactly what the requirements are for the promotion you want. Do you have to have a certain amount of years in your current position first? Are there any courses you need to take? Make sure there is no technicality holding you back. Then ask your boss how you could improve your performance in order to be considered for the promotion next time around. You work hard, sure, but there may be an area you need to work on a little harder. Talking your boss will accomplish two things. It will let him know that you want the promotion (and therefore he’ll have you in mind come promotion time), and it will help you establish new goals for you in order to obtain what you want.
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