exercise road block

Friday was day 5 for my 5K training, but it snowed. Since it was a snow day, I decided I didn't need to exercise (even though I could have gotten on a treadmill in our apartment complex). I was supposed to go hiking yesterday, but that didn't work out either, and now most of today has gone by without me getting my exercise. Now I have homework to do (which I'm putting off by posting this blog), and a birthday party to go to tonight. I'm still motivated to get back out there tomorrow, but what about today? How do I fit it in? I'm going to try to finish up my homework really fast, then hopefully at least get on the treadmill before the party tonight. We'll see. Otherwise, I won't let this minor setback keep me from exercising this coming week. Here's to keepin' on keepin' on.

Week 1, day 4

Yesterday was my third day of training for the race.  I was glad to be able to do all of the reps I was supposed to do of my intervals; walking at 3.5 mph for 2 min, then running at 5 mph for 3 min, 5 times. It seems about the right level for me right now, but tomorrow I'm adding another rep (6 times instead of 5 times). I'm sure I can do it. Today I have aerobics and yoga again. I'm looking forward to it, but I know that yoga is going to be hard today. Thursdays are an advanced yoga class, and I already have problems with the beginner class. I think I'm feeling healthier. I'm not sure how my progress is going, but I hope to weigh myself this afternoon. We'll see how class goes today.

Book Review: The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hawthorne's best-selling novel, The Scarlet Letter is a comment on the human heart in conflict with itself and the religion and morality of the day. When two members of a Puritan community sin, one (the pregnant woman of course) gets punished publicly while the other (the father) escapes public punishment but privately languishes under a burden of unconfessed guilt. A third character seeks revenge on the couple and makes life even more miserable for all involved. What makes this story so interesting is that it is a romance. In other words, supernatural phenomena drive the narrative and give it its mystery and appeal. The product of this sinful union, Pearl, is an elfish child who is also a bit creepy. She senses truths she is not supposed to know and adds guilt to both her mother and her father. This book was much better this time around than when I read it in high school.

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My running journey begins

I never would have thought I would become a runner. I'm not so sure even now, but I'm definitely coming closer. On Friday and again on Monday a walked/ran 2 mi. in under 30 min. Now, for me, this is an accomplishment. I was able to run at about 5 miles an hour, and my walking intervals were shorter than my running intervals (2 min versus 3 min running). The funny thing is, I actually enjoy it so far. Running with my iPod is definitely better than running without it. Now I have an arm band for it that will make it that much easier to carry music with me. The race is keeping me motivated. If I can complete a 5K, then maybe I can continue running and someday run a half marathon. That would be fantastic! Eventually maybe a marathon. But I'm probably getting ahead of myself. Who am I to think that I'll become a real runner? Right now I'm into it, but what happens later when I don't want to do it anymore? What then? Hopefully I can look back at my blog and see what I enjoy about running; maybe that will keep the motivation up. I will say that I have had more energy in the evening after exercising in the afternoon. I've felt exhiliration from completing my goals. I should start losing weight soon, hopefully. Anyway, I'm excited about the journey I'm on and I hope it helps me get healthier.

Training for a 5K charity race

Yesterday I signed up for my first ever race. I'm going to start training this afternoon, and on Mon/Wed/Fri to follow. I only have about 5 weeks (the race is on the 26th of February). I'm really excited because I needed something to motivate me to run. Hopefully I can lose weight and get in shape along the way! If I can remember, I'll post my progress here.

Another crochet project completed

This baby blanket has actually been completed for a while, so I decided it needed to be displayed on my blog, too. This is for some very special friends of mine who lost their first pregnancy but will hopefully be pregnant again soon. Once the gender of said baby is known, this blanket will get a ribbon woven through the border to complete the look. Also, check out the matching hat! I love the ruffles around the edge.

I love the yarn that this is made with! I used Baby Bee "Hushabye solid" in naked. It's a super-soft, almost spongy yarn that will be so cuddly for the baby. Stay tuned for more upcoming projects as they are completed

New Year

So, a new year has started. What am I going to do with it? I have decided to make a healthier, happier me. No New Year's resolutions, no extreme dieting (as if!), and no beating myself up over eating some potato chips. However, I do want to eat less (my "serving" sizes are huge!), exercise more, and spend more time with God. I believe moderation is key, so I want to moderate my life. So far I haven't been very good about my eating habits, but I have avoided soda for the most part, and I'm getting better. I have exercised a little, too! I'm also part of a facebook readathon of the conflict of the ages series and I've read the first three chapters of Patriarchs and Prophets so far (we're reading a page a day).

School starts Wednesday, however, and then my life will be crazy again. I just have to prioritize things that I haven't made a priority before (exercise and Bible study, especially). I do have a goal weight, too, by the way: 125 lbs. It would be fantastic to lose the 15 lbs I have to go. It might be a bit hard for me to do in a year, but I'm going to try. As long as I don't have to try too hard. :)