I returned from my maternity leave a few weeks early to submit grant proposals…for fear/the unknown of the financial implications of COVID-19 on my research program and team.
In the past few weeks, I have led the writing of 5 grants (2 still in a submission portal as the funding agency changed the deadline as I was uploading my final files...😢).
My Inbox is overflowing, as I am sure many of you can relate to. I have at least 7 full manuscripts from trainees and colleagues to review…maybe more…I should stop counting…but a good “problem” to have. I am so proud of my inspiring and productive trainees!
I also have 3 recently completed clinical trials I am eager to write up. Will these be the seminal papers I have been envisioning? only editors and the peer-review process will tell.
Did I have lunch yet…or a snack recently…but, oh wait…. I must add that reference to strengthen my background rationale.
I used to think my PhD at an internationally renowned research-intensive Division 1 school prepared me for the academic marathon, competition, constant rejection, and fight for equality for women.
Arriving at the lab anywhere between 5:30 and 8 AM to conduct participant tests and leaving around 5:30/6 PM with only the evenings to work on course assignments, study and write papers.
I learned to question, be critical, to analyze, to write with purpose, and, importantly, know every/most published mechanisms relating to women’s health and exercise possible. I am forever grateful for the training and opportunities I received.
But, perhaps some of the most important skills I learned were personal ones. The importance of self-care, especially when you need it most.
During a recent meeting (virtual of course) with a senior female in academia, she reminded me how important self-care is. My self-care has always been physical activity/exercise/sport. I have always loved and been fascinated by exercise science.
I stopped tracking Personal Bests in running when I graduated high school and stopped running track. Swimming is a different story, but it is much harder to find and jump into a pool these days.
I do not run with others, nor do I want to. Running has always been a time for “me” where I control where I go, for how long and how fast. My daughter occasionally joins me (seeing the world from her stroller). Running with an infant in a stroller is tough!
Maybe one day she will enjoy running as much as I do.
Tomorrow I will wake up and continue to climb the mountain as I have a dream and vision for my research program, but tonight I will enjoy my post-run bliss and hopefully read a few pages of mon livre en français (my favourite pasttime when I make time for it).
Views of my bubble gum flavoured (coincidentally the name of the newspaper I edited in grade 6...a story for another day) running shoes. We did it. 
I used to think I needed to be the hare (at least at the beginning), but now I see and hear you tortoise.
Please unroll @threadreaderapp
