It’s Friday so I am linking up with three DC area bloggers Mar at Mar On the Run, Cynthia at You Signed Up For What?! and Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC .  Anyone can join with their own Friday Five post (yes, it must be a Friday Five!!)  They encourage you to visit other blogs on the linkup, comment, share and engage!

If you read my blog, you know that I was laid off from my job after 10 years and now I have a new one.

My Friday Topic is Five Reasons I Miss My Old Job. That is the running related reasons.

1. The treadmill

Ok.  I hate the treadmill.  But it was really convenient to have one in the building to squeeze in a lunchtime run and after work, if it were raining or too icy to run outdoors.

Now, I have to drive to my free gym.  There’s one at work but you have to pay to use it. 😦

2. Nearby Running Routes

I was fortunate to work near a beautiful park and many city neighborhoods.

Now I work near an outdoor shopping center and some main roads.

Now I have to drive to nearby UAlbany to run around the campus.

3. The Track

The track was another nearby place to run during lunch or after work.  It was great for speed workouts or just when you wanted a surface easy on the feet.

Now I have to drive to run on a college or high school track. (And I doubt that I will.)

4. Running during lunch

I used to have my own office plus an hour for lunch.  Especially when it wasn’t so hot, I would change into my running clothes and go for a run during lunchtime.

Now I have a cubicle and only 1/2 hour for lunch.  It is convenient to walk around the shopping center (where there is a Starbucks) but that’s about it. My running is now done after work unless I drag myself out of bed in the morning. (I also go to work an hour earlier.)

5. Running Conversations

Where I used to work, there were so many staff and faculty who were runners.  We participated in races together (Corporate Challenge and Charity Races) and kept up-to-date on each other’s successes (and injuries.)  I even inspired two co-workers to start running.

** Enough time off for race-cations. 

In my old job, I got 6 weeks off plus 2 weeks at Christmastime.  I used to take at least two race-cations each year in addition to Fridays off to run some NYC races.

Now, I only get 3 weeks off per year (and nothing for the first 6 mos.)

** I also miss the PEOPLE, the things I did for my job, the salary and the benefits!!!

Not to be a Debbie Downer, there are some positives:

1. I had 12 weeks off this summer – PAID!! I was able to do a lot of hiking, running, boating and playing tennis.
2. I don’t have to worry anymore about finding a job, earning a paycheck and having health insurance.
3. I am learning new things.
4. I am meeting new people.
5. I will travelling around NYS for my job.  Hopefully I will get to squeeze in some runs in some new places.

Happy Running! What would you miss if you changed jobs?