I Can't Fight It...

The Road to Austin

I made it...


...details (and thank yous) to come after the degree has been earned!

Goals

Goals for the weekend: Survive

I will be biking from Houston, TX to Austin, TX over two days. I'm not exactly sure how this will work, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it is going to be hard!

Goals for Sunday: Analysis (for my thesis), and begin the Discussion

This will be more difficult than the bike ride! I am setting it as a goal, and hopefully come Monday, I will be able to say that I've done it. I am running out of time...but that is always the moment that you find the extra strength (mental in this case) that you didn't know you had. It will get done...I do not doubt that. I'm just hoping it will be sooner than later.

New fitness goals beginning 4/23:

Swims per week: 2 (MW AM)
Runs per week: 3-4 (MW PM, T PM Quality, Sa AM Long)
Bikes per week: 1-2 (Th PM Quality, Su AM Long)
Strength work: 2-3 (M PM, Th PM, Su PM)

Eating: More meals at home, fewer drive-thrus and eating out, less sweets!

The Power of the Cheer

I've added a new feature to my blog, recently. Right underneath My Favorite Blogs, I've added a list of the Last 5 Books that I've read.

I am always reading a book.

I find that it soothes me when I'm stressed,
stimulates me when I'm lazy,
and entertains me when I'm bored.

I love a good book!

The last book that I finished was Linda Armstrong's (Lance's mom) book, No Mountain High Enough: Raising Lance, Raising Me. It was a great book, and another inspirational story.

I found this part particularly meaningful...

I believe in the power of being cheered on. I've seen it work for a baby taking his first step, for a battered marathon runner on the track, for the little boys' football team on their last living legs, for a secretary struggling to pull together a proposal by five. Cheering someone on is a noble endeavor. It's such a purely giving thing, and giving feels good. I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't discovered that firsthand. There is a special bond between the cheering and the cheered. When you care enough about someone to show up for them, love them enough to get all emotionally involved and be a complete bellering fool, all in the cause of encouragement -- you know, I think there must be some sort of love-induced chemical reaction. Somehow a little of your soul gets transferred into their system and gives them this little snap-crackle-pop of energy.

I am reminded that I have great cheerers in my life!

Done Already?!

I've been working on my writing for the past 2 hours or so. I have the data coded for my meeting with my advisor tomorrow like she asked me (which is rare that I actually get an assignment done on time), so that's good.

I have been to the library. Took a 15 minute nap for motivation, then made great progress acutally. My methods section is now complete (the draft at least) and it's a good 6 pages long. I tried to stop by the co-op to rent my graduation attire and buy invitations, but it was closed.

After that, I tried to stop by Betty's Sport to look at a new cycling outfit for this weekend, but it was closed. I drove by the Concert at Waterloo twice on my way to and from Jack & Adam's (which was also closed) where I was trying to by gear for next weekend also.

Not very productive errand-wise.

So now, I'm sitting at a coffee shop, drinking a beer, and thinking about what I have left to do on my thesis tonight. The reference book that I need is at my boyfriend's house. I guess that I should head that direction and find a quiet corner to keep cranking.

I'll have to make myself a margarita while I'm there. I've discovered that I'm really good at making them. I like to think that there is a little bit of soul poured into my work when I have one during the process. Am I right, professor?

As random and interesting as this day has been. I'm ready to be done!

Congratulations Heather (and Ken) Haberman!

I'll Get There

Two weeks ago I decided to try the core class that meets at Jack & Adam's every Monday. Erin went the week before and said that it, pretty much, kicked her ass. I've been wanting to add this type of training to my routine, so when Erin said, "free". I said, "I'll try it."

I thought that I was trying a core class...by the end of the class though, I thought maybe I had accidentally signed myself up for basic training.

Let me explain.

Everything looked normal at first. A normal looking group standing around in running shorts, yoga mats layed out in front. All of this relatively familiar, except...

I was met with an instructor that I was not expecting. He was not worried about each person's modifications and heart rates. To be honest, he was really loud and at times, not very nice.

"I'LL WAIT ALL DAY IF I HAVE TO!"

"I'M TALKING TO EVERYONE - GET YOUR FEET UP!"

"HEAD UP - GET THERE!"

"I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU AGAIN! DO IT!"

He yelled when he counted off our repititions and it sounded like a military cadence, although, I can't be sure since I've never been in the military. Those repititions were outrageous. Four minutes of plank, 100 reps of leg lifts (I thought we might stop when we got to 20, then maybe 50, when we kept going, I thought we might never stop)...I can't even remember all of the sets. I think my mind may have blocked it out due to the trauma.

I almost threw up about half way through the workout, and I seriously considered standing up to walk out of the class - I didn't want him to yell at me though. That was all that kept me there!

Truth be told, as all of those thoughts were running through my head, I secretly loved every second of it! That's what an athlete looks for isn't it? Someone to push her, someone who won't settle for the limits that she places on herself?

At the end of the workout, I approached the instructor, Adam. He smiled and was much gentler as he told me how good he thought I did for the first time. I would be much stronger the next class, he told me.

Huh. I think I like this.

I went back last night.