you can catch more flies with honey

November 9, 2010

back on service
i hadn’t mentioned it, but i’m back on 24/7 call this week for the first time in a while! so far, it hasn’t been too bad. i am making an effort to keep a positive attitude about it all, and the truth is that i’m lucky, because getting phone calls from the PICU about sodiums at 1:47 am (like i did last night) and answering from the comfort of warm, snuggly bed is about 90 million times nicer than being on the other end of the line.

and speaking of the phone line — my specific work goal this week has been to try to be as nice and as patient as possible over the phone. in truth, most of the time i am this way by default, but sometimes i can get frustrated (with residents, lab personnel, etc) and become snippy, and i almost always regret it. yesterday, i was a little bit starstruck when i got a call from paul austin about a patient who needed transfer. i read paul’s book about a year ago and loved it.


one may not think that an ER doctor and pediatric endocrinologist would have much in common, but i really empathized with dr. austin and grew to really like him as i turned the pages of his work. among other lessons, he was not afraid to point out the importance of the rest of life (ie, outside of the hospital); furthermore, he emphasized just how critical it is to be nice when working in the hospital – over the phone to consultants, with patients, with nurses, or with anyone.

and i am happy to report he was as nice and lovely to work with over the phone as could be. i resisted the urge to tell him how much i adored his book (there was a transfer center coordinator on the line as well, and i don’t think she would have appreciated the small talk).

running talk
after much hemming and hawing, i finally chose a race to train for:


it will be held on december 12, so when i chose it, there were only 6 weeks left to train (now there are only 5!). josh plans to run it as well, so it should be fun! and if i find myself unable to race for whatever reason, i can always just run it for fun — after all, it’s only a 5K.

always in the market to try a new training plan, i decided to give the runner’s world SmartCoach a whirl.


you just enter your stats (i put in my recent 10K time), and it spits out a program to your specifications!


looks reasonable to me. i am on week 2 and about to head out for 5 miles easy (though maybe not QUITE as slowly as suggested!) as dictated by the tuesday schedule.

coming up tomorrow!
two upcoming challenges i plan to undertake
☑ a very shubox GIVEAWAY! sponsored by — well, me.

coming back TODAY


HOORAY!!!!!

9 Comments

  • Reply Melissa March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    LOVE smartcoach, I&#39m basing my next training plan off of it 🙂 Good luck with your training, possibly a PR in your future!?

  • Reply lee March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I&#39m trying to convince my sister that we need to do a race in early 2011 in Raleigh. She ran a 5K with me last weekend here and hopefully has been inspired to keep up with her running. Know of any good ones in the spring?

  • Reply Anonymous March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I found your site through Meghann&#39s. Thank you for sharing your story! I am currently training for the Walt Disney World Half- Marathon and your story was so inspiring. 🙂

  • Reply BroccoliHut March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    Sounds like a fun race! I wish I could join you, but I&#39m leaving for Bama on the 10th. I&#39m thinking about running in a Jingle Bell 5k on the 4th though:)

  • Reply atilla March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I&#39ll have to check out that book

  • Reply Jess March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I haven&#39t trained for a 5k since college! Is there a reason you&#39re trying a 5k this time? Hoping for a PR?

  • Reply kate March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    Ive been considering doing a holiday-ish 5k. I need to keep my eyes open for a good one!

  • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 10, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    jess: no PR – i am definitely not at my speed peak right now, so i am not going to PR. i just wanted to do a quick training plan for a non-big-deal race because of the trying-to-get-pregnant issue! i don&#39t want to be all excited about a half or full and then not be able to run, plus i am not sure 12mi + runs are the best for my fertility (my own personal issues, not a global statement!)

  • Reply RunningOnCoffee March 10, 2019 at 7:24 pm

    I used Smart Coach for my first and second half marathons (this April and September). I stuck to my training plan EXACTLY for my April half and I was right on target with my goal time. I really like the program!

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