Jan/090
a new year… a new look
Too many times people have huge expectations of major changes that they want to occur in their life, instead of finding some simple happiness that already exists.
I do have a list of projects/tasks I would like to complete. I hate to use resolutions because well they are easy to skip and just move past. So instead here is an outline of what I’d like to do this year:
- Get a web project up and running. Not wanting to go into great details at this point, but it should be a fun venture.
- Read 1 book per month. I already have five books I bought last year I need to read (Engulfed in Flames, Running for Mortals, Swish, I am Not Myself, Candy Everybody Wants).
- Take a few graduate level continuing education classes.
- Apply to become a part time adjunct professor.
- Work out at least three times per week (minimum).
- Run a 5k or more at least six times this year.
Other areas I want to focus on are my photography skills, and writing. I will accomplish these tasks, and I’ll use the blog to keep myself honest.
I have a nike+ widget on my facebook, I will look to get it imported on the blog.
On a side note, if I find someone to date, that would be awesome, but I am not going to go out of my way on personal sites/etc to find someone.
Sep/070
cardio2
I know i’ve not been updating on my progress with the gym. Well, I am down to 179 pounds and 20.1% body fat. Which in comparison to a year ago is amazing. I was 222 pounds and around a 34% body fat.
I’ve gone and started lifting again pretty rigorously and heavy in the cardio. I started in this cardio2 program at the gym, basically it’s running and cardio which is structured and tailored to your abilities, it constantly pushes you a little bit harder and a little bit faster. It’s been fun, if not a little lonely except for Saturday. The program is individualized and on Saturday you meet for a group run.
The trainer is hot – hot, hot, hot. Which is a plus but not the only reason I am partaking. I’ll be waking up tomorrow and lifting, and maybe if the timing is right hitting the gym to do cardio after class.
May/070
May 12, 2007
I finally completed one task that has been approximately nine years in the making. Those nine years were spent from the time I graduated High School until I finally finished the requirements for Baccalaureate degree. I went to Ohio University, took online classes at CSCC, and finished at Ohio Dominican.
People may ask, how it took nine years to accomplish something many people do in four or five. The short story is money. Of course, there is more to that than just money. I was immature and did not understand the cost of anything. My family loaned itself out to try and give me the experience that I desired. The college years that I think most people want to experience.
It’s something I knew I wanted. I was always unpopular in high school and kept to myself. I wanted to become the life of the party. I wanted to experience the life that everyone else had. Of course, that never happened in Athens and it created a lot of turmoil in my head. I eventually ran through all of the loan money in about a year. It was then, that I moved back home. I was in a funk, and quit going to school. It took about two years for me to get out of it. I continued to work and it was at that time I decided to take a few classes online at Columbus State.
The classes I took were not in preparation for anything more for general learning experience. They interested me. I took a mix of psychology and anthropology. Just classes to engage my mind. There are still some classes I wouldn’t mind taking, some photography and writing classes.
Finally transferred for the last time to Ohio Dominican into the LEAD program. I went to class one night a week, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Took part of tuition reimbursement and finished roughly two years after I started. The LEAD program can be frustrating and wonderful all in the same time.
I am proud that I accomplished something that I set out to do nine years ago. I am relieved that I finished. It is a good feeling.
The ceremony was nice, somewhat long considering we spent it in the sun in the afternoon. It started shortly after 10 and finished around 12. The speaker was from the Society of Jesus. There were probably 400 students graduating in the 87th class. All in all it was a good time.
May/070
less than a week
So what to talk about….. How about in less than a week I will be participating in the Baccalaureate and then in Commencement. I am hoping tha tit stays nice out for the upcoming weekend so we can walk on the lawn.
I am almost done with my second graduate class in Ehtics. Next up is some QBA…. Unfortunately the book cost me 150 dollars from Amazon. Luckily or fortunately or however you want to put it, I got a free trial of Amazon Prime. It should be here by Tuesday.
Last Friday I ordered some new tee-shirts from a website called insanely great tees I ordered the shirt I’m a Mac, and the camera icons. So far they are great and it is my first shirt from American Apparel and I can certainly see why people go crazy over them.
I watched Spiderman 3 on opening night. It was good, and I liked it a lot. However, there was too much crying and not enough fighting. Also, Mr Spidey was kinda flabby in the face, a bit of a double chin. Not that it is important but nothing like the Spiderman of six years ago.
I have continued to hit the gym, but I need to on a more regular basis. I never go Monday nights because of class, and I am usually too tired after. But then I should be going Tues-Sat. I continue to lift. I actually found a great website it’s kinda cooky that I go there, but it’s given me helpful hints and they have a lot of workouts and tips on supplements. It’s called bodybuilding.com I am going to put a link in the side bar for anyone who wants to go there.
I bought a blender and some protein so I can make my own shakes before and after the workout. I need to make it out to GNC before the week is over so I can buy a tub of Pro-NOS. I bought a little bag, but it barely covers you for a week.
Life… It’s busy but I am in a rut lately. They happen so I can adjust and move forward. I think it’s a mix of a lot of things. I do a great job of working hard to put them out of my mind and slowly they creep back up. At some point I will have to face them but now it’s far easier to just ignore them.
Apr/070
i used to be good…
This week has been somewhat of a blur. I took it off from work because I was feeling stressed and a little burnt out so I needed a week to recuperate and get my bearings back. We just finished our G2G conversion and it about fried everyone associated with the project. It took just over two years and a period of time of dual platform operation but we finally flicked the switch and are utilizing the last G of the G2G conversion.
Monday
Basically the first true day off of work. I woke up at 9, had breakfast, cleaned up, and went to the gym. I went to a spinning class and then ran afterwards. Came back prepared for school and went to school from 6-9. Gave a presentation with the group. I was a bit nervous and it kinda showed. Hopefully everything works out because I do want to get an A in the class. Came home and had my Dean’s List letter in my mailbox congratulating me on my academically excellent Fall Semester.
Tuesday
Almost a repeat of the morning, except I did not take a spinning class, and I went to Easton before hand. I needed to pick up a new nike+ kit as mine finally bit(e) (spelling?) the dust. Bought some vitamins and then wanted to try this creatine mix. Now I am kind of confused. I understand that protein is needed after a workout, and you can’t combine the two. But the creatine mix said you needed to do a mix before and after your work out, and if that’s the case, then where does the protein come into play? Let me tell you after spinning and running, my muscles need any and all help they can get so I want the protein, just not sure when to consume it after my workout.
I went to dinner at Bar Louie in the Arena District, it was fantastic. I had not been to the one downtown just the one at Easton, and the one downtown is a lot better than the one at Easton. Being down in the area, makes me realize how much I enjoy city living and the need to be in an Urban atmosphere. The suburbs are nice, and the apartment is decent, but I long to live in a condo in the downtown area.
Wednesday
We will call this the day of shit weather. It was amazing the first part of the week, just amazing, sunny warm the kind of weather you want for Spring. This was cold rainy and starting to dip down. Went spinning in the afternoon, came back and was exhausted. Had dinner with Ryan in Cap City in Grandview. The lady messed up my order. I asked for the dressing on the side, but she put the salmon on the side and as I had no desire to wait around I ate it as is.
Thursday
Today, met up with Rob and did a very strong leg work out. Needed to actually start incorporating weights back into my gym routine. I’ve lost about ten pounds but I don’t want to loose muscle mass, so it’s imperative that I get the lifting back in my schedule. Signed up for the running club at Easton. Every Saturday morning at 9:00AM I will be there doing a two mile run hoping that it helps get my endurance up for future 5k’s. Speaking of which, I have registered, again, for the Commit to be Fit 5k during the LaSalle Columbus Distance Classic. I’ll be running the 5k again, this year it will be without a blown out knee so I am hoping I finish faster than I did a year ago.
The Weekend
Going home, seeing the family for Easter, relaxing and just catching up on any and all homework I did not finish.
*edit*
This damn version of wordpress has majorly messed up so hopefully I have fixed everything and it is working as designed now…. ergh….
Mar/070
i should have known to just goto dick’s
Another day, another run. I needed to get a new pair of running shoes. I was using just regular gym shoes without knowing any difference. I read where Nike released a new running shoe for the overpronator (that’s me) and figured at $90 it was worth a shot.
I thought I would just hit footlocker on my way into the gym. I should have known that it would have been a horrible mistake. I was looking through the shoes for 20 minutes before anyone asked, and then when I was explaining the shoe he had no clue. I figured I might as well take a shot and drive over to Dick’s. Fortunately, they had it there. It was displayed with the Runner’s World Pick of the Month emblem. The person who assisted me was knowledgble and helped me choose the right size.
The shoe is the Nike Air Structure Triax 10 and it was an amazing difference from the old gym shoes. It was amazing to run in. I was able to keep a decent pace, my feet did not kill me and it was appropriately padded. It helped with keeping my running stable as I was on the treadmill. I definately recommend these shoes for anyone interested in running who may have a few extra pounds to loose in the process.
My run was shorter this time just 3k to get my endurance up. I did quite well as you can see below:
Right now, I am just doing some laundry and checked a grade for a reflection paper. Nothing major, just relaxing after the good run.
Mar/070
i’m lost and trying to find myself
It’s been a while since I’ve updated. I’ve spent the past few weeks wrapped up in work and just trying to find myself. I seem to have lost the things that made me happy; photography, blogging, and working out. I’ve been working a ton, graduate school is interesting.
I don’t know what to write, even though I know I need to……
I’m registered for a 5k in April (the same one as last year). I started running again to get my endurance up.
As you can see there are lots of peaks and valleys. Gotta get that fixed.
I want to see the movies The 300, Epic Movie, and The new Zodiac.
We will supposedly be converting this upcoming weekend which means my schedule will shift. It might actually make it nicer to get out.
The clock moving ahead wasn’t a big deal.
I need more weekends like this past one. I was productive and had a good time. Plus I didn’t spend a lot of money.
Right now there is a pile of clothes on my bed begging to be cleaned up.
Sep/060
more updates
I think the very short lived talking between said boy and I is over. As he didn’t return my call on Thursday night and ignored my two, count them yes only two messages to him. One Friday and then one today.
I’m proud that I wasn’t crazy psycho attention whore. I’m disappointed that nothing came from us talking. I know he was way out of my league but it would have been nice to have gone out on a date. Even if we didn’t click as dates it would be nice to meet more people in Columbus.
In other words. I upgrade my gym membership at Lifetime. Now I can take two people per month and them not pay a fee! It’s exciting.
Tonight we go in at 7:00 PM and work until 12:30 AM. We are beginning the first of two conversions tonight. It will be long and tedious tonight. To top it off, I have to be in on Monday at 7:30 AM. At least I will get out of there at 4:00 PM. But still it’s not like I will enjoy the 7:30 AM Cattle Call.
Sep/060
PR
I have to admit that I’ve been doing quite well with this whole jogging thing… I know that 1.7 miles isn’t a lot and many marathoners will call that distance small but to me it’s starting a great accomplishment.
Tonight I was able to run that distance in 22:45 which is 15 seconds faster than my previous personal record.
I think I may be going back to meet with the trainer so I can incorporate some weights back into my routine.
A belated update from Friday night, hung out with Jordan and his partner at some random guy’s birthday party. It’s not too often we get to hang out and I always enjoy myself when we do.
On a side note… I had two bloody marry’s at dinner and two blue moons and I had a nice buzz going. Unfortunately at midnight I was pooped and drove my ass home.
Feb/060
impressiveness
This past week was amazing. Without spending too much time going into the details. I was able to meet my goal of $5,000 of debt reduction and actually surpassed it by $400. That’s a fantastic feeling and now just to continue through with my debt reduction as if I didn’t meet my goal.
Also, I started running. I ran three times last week. I do the walk one minute run two minutes. My heart rate is extremely high (I know thanks to my Polar HR Monitor) and I need to work on getting it within the right range. I was able to run a total of 6.29 miles this week at 30 minute a pop. It’s not anything earth shattering but for me it’s very good.
To kind of support my running goal I signed up for RunnersWorld and I signed up for their forum.
The only two things that have bothered me is some calf tightenting as I run, and my feet tend to fall asleep. I heard it could be the shoes so I need to run over to the New Balance store at Tuttle this week to see what they say.
The rest of the weekend should be pretty calm. Picking up my glasses and telling my doctor that these contacts don’t work for me. I think I’d like to try some acuvue contacts instead of these purevision.
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