On Saturday my friend Victoria and I went rock climbing for a second time. I am amazed at how this activity truly works all my muscles. I love how climbing not only challenges my body but it also challenges my mind. Every type of climb forces me to solve a puzzle. How will I get up this route? Where will my hand go next? Slowly as my body and mind allow I proceed towards my goal. This trip Victoria and I tried traverse climbing for the last hour and a half.
Traverse climbing is a type of climbing where you move horizontally along the rock wall. In a climbing gym it usually remains close to the ground. I fall frequently so I appreciate the low height. I have witnesses several people who move across the wall in a fluid manner; I long for that perfection in my climbing.
Traverse climbing was a fantastic activity because it helped with my technique without the worry of the harness and falling. I can practice different hand and foot placements worry free.
As I am laying here trying to fall asleep I am thinking about one of the vertical routes I tried that stumped me and am trying to think of another technique that we found while traverse climbing.
The route up the wall is easy at the beginning but just over half way up it becomes tricky. At the top the surface becomes like an upside down stairway. I can get right below the first ceiling. To advance further the only options are a pinch hold for your hand and some small foot holds. If I could get myself just a foot higher there is a good rock on the first ceiling that I could grip to help pull myself up to the next level. I know I will achieve victory someday! I think maybe one of the new techniques this guy showed us might help me nail the challenge.
I know I can do it. There was another spot where I almost fell but I managed to get up and over the triangle build out in my way. I love the feeling of achievement this sport brings! I wish I didn't have to wait two weeks to go again! :)
A brief statement about my time management. I am disappointed I only rain 5 miles last week. I aimed to run more but due to school and my social life I failed. Perhaps this week I will do better. I need to rework my schedule to fit everything in. This will take time so I need to allow myself time for the adjustment.
Here are my tasks:
A. Be a good girl friend
B. school
C. Running
D. Work 40 hours
These all of these require a chunk of my time.
I'm a woman, hear me roar. I will figure this out!!! I will! :)
Cheers to my arm muscles being sore. Doesn't it feel great when your muscles come alive!?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I just ran 5 miles bitches!
Yay! Although, what really shows my improvement is if I can run at least 10 or 11 miles this week. My plan is to also run on Friday and Sunday this week. I will run a little on Saturday depending on how rock climbing goes.
Oh man now I just want to go home to stretch and eat!!
Oh man now I just want to go home to stretch and eat!!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
English Composition 121- Day 1 - The divorcee's Lot
Before class started I went up to let the instructor know that my last name would be updated to Jeffery in the next day or two. His immediate response was "congratulations." Dear lord! To correct him or not to correct him!? Just because a person changes their last name doesn't mean they just got married!
He meant well though so instead of correcting him I just replied with my thanks and moved on.
Changing my name back to Jeffery was a fabulous event. I took back my childhood name...my identity. Anyway, hopefully this is the last time I will have to actually discuss my name change and divorce. I am a Jeffery and that is all there is to it!
The class went well. We read through the syllabus and experienced normal class introduction conversation.
Attending English Composition and reviewing my College Algebra class today has made me wonder how I am going to fit running into my schedule when I will also need to commit time to class and homework?
My current idea to help sneak running in is to add a couple morning runs into my week. I need to be 10K capable by May 6th!! The problem is the cold weather and my aversion to waking up early will prevent me from running out the door.
To help with the cold, I am thinking about getting a jacket for my runs. Right now I don't have anything to wear when the weather is extremely cold. I need a jacket, gloves, a hat to cover my head and ears as well as whatever else I find! The question is how to afford it?? I guess that is something I will need to figure out as I look for the needed items.
As for my aversion to waking up early... Wish me luck because that is not easily remedied.
Time to sleep! Today was a long day and tomorrow will be a running day.
Cheers to pursuing a challenge! :) LIFE should always be a challenge in some way.
*Side note- I am excited to see how my writing ability improves over the next several months! Yay for self improvement!
He meant well though so instead of correcting him I just replied with my thanks and moved on.
Changing my name back to Jeffery was a fabulous event. I took back my childhood name...my identity. Anyway, hopefully this is the last time I will have to actually discuss my name change and divorce. I am a Jeffery and that is all there is to it!
The class went well. We read through the syllabus and experienced normal class introduction conversation.
Attending English Composition and reviewing my College Algebra class today has made me wonder how I am going to fit running into my schedule when I will also need to commit time to class and homework?
My current idea to help sneak running in is to add a couple morning runs into my week. I need to be 10K capable by May 6th!! The problem is the cold weather and my aversion to waking up early will prevent me from running out the door.
To help with the cold, I am thinking about getting a jacket for my runs. Right now I don't have anything to wear when the weather is extremely cold. I need a jacket, gloves, a hat to cover my head and ears as well as whatever else I find! The question is how to afford it?? I guess that is something I will need to figure out as I look for the needed items.
As for my aversion to waking up early... Wish me luck because that is not easily remedied.
Time to sleep! Today was a long day and tomorrow will be a running day.
Cheers to pursuing a challenge! :) LIFE should always be a challenge in some way.
*Side note- I am excited to see how my writing ability improves over the next several months! Yay for self improvement!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Work + College + Running Goals
I am starting this post while standing in line at the Pueblo Community College Bookstore. As I wait, I am only able to think about how eager and anxious I am to find out how my life as a full time employee, student and runner will work! Good bye free evenings, hello homework! Bring it on, I'm going to survive this addition to my schedule!
Tomorrow is my first day in my English class. Hopefully I will be able to start my math class tonight. I suppose we will see!!!
To be continued it is finally my turn! YES!
The line at the bookstore went back for what seemed to be ages but in the end it went remarkably quick! I was impressed!
How do I feel post bookstore? I feel like my two classes better teach me a hell of a lot despite the little books! The online College Algebra course just gave me a virtual log in code and my English Composition 121 course only had me purchase two small books that I can fit into my purse! On one side I appreciate these little items but on the other side I am extremely disappointed!! I always felt like I was getting way more for the $100 purchases when the books were huge! As it is I only feel like I spent about $200 on nothing. I am positive I will feel better once class starts.. Teachers always have a way of adding value to their book selections.
Now that I vented my disappointment I will also add that the english books are rather dense with information despite their light weight and small size.
Boy did I feel the stair workout I did last night as I went back and forth to my car! Before my bookstore experience, I had arrived on campus tonight by about 4:30. I talked to admissions about changing my last name from Swanson to Jeffery, just a minor technicality...anyway...I love when I feel my workouts in my muscles! The feeling means that I have accomplished something!
Next on the list tonight? My financial aid entrance seminar. I have to go learn about what loans mean to me. I want to tell them, "darlings, I have more experience with student loans than most. Just give me the damn money!" However, I understand that this is just a requirement they have for all students. So here goes an hour of my time!
Peace!
Tomorrow is my first day in my English class. Hopefully I will be able to start my math class tonight. I suppose we will see!!!
To be continued it is finally my turn! YES!
The line at the bookstore went back for what seemed to be ages but in the end it went remarkably quick! I was impressed!
How do I feel post bookstore? I feel like my two classes better teach me a hell of a lot despite the little books! The online College Algebra course just gave me a virtual log in code and my English Composition 121 course only had me purchase two small books that I can fit into my purse! On one side I appreciate these little items but on the other side I am extremely disappointed!! I always felt like I was getting way more for the $100 purchases when the books were huge! As it is I only feel like I spent about $200 on nothing. I am positive I will feel better once class starts.. Teachers always have a way of adding value to their book selections.
Now that I vented my disappointment I will also add that the english books are rather dense with information despite their light weight and small size.
Boy did I feel the stair workout I did last night as I went back and forth to my car! Before my bookstore experience, I had arrived on campus tonight by about 4:30. I talked to admissions about changing my last name from Swanson to Jeffery, just a minor technicality...anyway...I love when I feel my workouts in my muscles! The feeling means that I have accomplished something!
Next on the list tonight? My financial aid entrance seminar. I have to go learn about what loans mean to me. I want to tell them, "darlings, I have more experience with student loans than most. Just give me the damn money!" However, I understand that this is just a requirement they have for all students. So here goes an hour of my time!
Peace!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
A Rock Climbing Adventure
I have decided that this year is the year to take my goals to the next level. I am going to run a 5K Race on St. Patty's day, I'm going to run a 10K this year and I wanted to try a new way to cross train. Rock Climbing!
Lucky for me my friend Victoria also wants to try new activities. She agreed to come rock climbing with me! I figure if I want to make the most of my trips to a rock wall, I need a partner so we can belay for each other.
Yesterday we started our rock climbing adventure! We drove to Sport Climbing Center in Colorado Springs to our first rock climbing lesson. We had a lesson from 9-11am. The cost if this lesson came with the shoe rental, harness and belay clip as well as a day pass.
The lesson went well. There was one other student named Eric. Eric's goal was to use rock climbing to get back into shape. Eric was nice enough...except he almost backed into my car as Victoria were pulling out of the parking lot to go get lunch. This number worked out perfectly because this allowed Victoria and I to practice together while the trainer worked with Eric. Having a smaller class also allowed for a one-on-one lesson. I can't recall the teacher's name but he did a great job showing us around and teaching us the beginning techniques.
The lesson was straight forward. Once you understand the concept of how to belay for the person climbing the rest is mostly about having the strength to carry your body around from high heights and being able to finish the puzzle. Once you trust the equipment the height is less of a worry.
To help Victoria and I overcome our immediate fear if climbing he had us both go up a wall not paying attention to the colored tape that creates a path. The goal was to make it all the way to the top. We did it! After that our main obstacle was our strength.
Here is the link to where we went: http://sportclimbcs.com/index.html
We would take turns struggling to the top. As it turns out rock climbing is not only an amazing arm work out, but is also a puzzle. 'How am I going to choose the right hand and foot holds to get me to the top while staying within the correct trail I started with?' After an attempt at a hard trail Victoria and I would stand back after and discuss other options that would help us get further on our next attempt. This is mainly what we did with the bouldering paths.
There is one trail there, that was considered a 5.7 with orange tape marking which rocks we were allowed to use to get to the top; this trail challenged us due to fear when we first started then challenged us again at the end due to our tapped out arm strength.
By the end of the day my arms felt shaky like jello. What a perfect work out though! Rock climbing works on your core strength. Today my arms hurt badly. This pain is a good sort of pain. This pain was caused by me doing something good for my body.
To become a better runner I need to cross train to develop muscles that running doesn't reach.
We decided to split a 10 day pass giving us 5 trips each. Neither of us plan to come without the other so we decided this was the best deal to give us chances to go back without a restricting time frame. Since we have to drive 50 minutes up to the center we don't know how many times we will make it back in the next 3 months.
I am excited about this year. This will be an active year for me; a year to develop myself in many ways. What makes me happy? What do I want for my life? How can I be happy with anyone else if I am not happy by myself? I cannot allow myself to be defined by who I am with or the people around me, instead I need to find who I am and to develop that person as I discover her.
Joy comes from within not from anywhere else. If you put your possibility of joy in anyone else sadness will find you every time. The time is now. I don't have children and I don't have a husband. (I do have a life partner who is great). 2012 is the year I make things happen; to bring what I want for my life into view.
In addition to the list I started above other item that will sneak back into my life are going back to school. It is time to give a little of my time to working on my degree. I will be taking a math class and an English this term.
Here is the list:
1. A 5K Race
2. A 10K Race
3. Rock Climbing/strengthening my arms
4. College
I think this is a manageable list! 2012, Bring it on! :)
Now to go stretch out my arms! Ouch they sure do hurt!
Lucky for me my friend Victoria also wants to try new activities. She agreed to come rock climbing with me! I figure if I want to make the most of my trips to a rock wall, I need a partner so we can belay for each other.
Yesterday we started our rock climbing adventure! We drove to Sport Climbing Center in Colorado Springs to our first rock climbing lesson. We had a lesson from 9-11am. The cost if this lesson came with the shoe rental, harness and belay clip as well as a day pass.
The lesson went well. There was one other student named Eric. Eric's goal was to use rock climbing to get back into shape. Eric was nice enough...except he almost backed into my car as Victoria were pulling out of the parking lot to go get lunch. This number worked out perfectly because this allowed Victoria and I to practice together while the trainer worked with Eric. Having a smaller class also allowed for a one-on-one lesson. I can't recall the teacher's name but he did a great job showing us around and teaching us the beginning techniques.
The lesson was straight forward. Once you understand the concept of how to belay for the person climbing the rest is mostly about having the strength to carry your body around from high heights and being able to finish the puzzle. Once you trust the equipment the height is less of a worry.
To help Victoria and I overcome our immediate fear if climbing he had us both go up a wall not paying attention to the colored tape that creates a path. The goal was to make it all the way to the top. We did it! After that our main obstacle was our strength.
Here is the link to where we went: http://sportclimbcs.com/index.html
We would take turns struggling to the top. As it turns out rock climbing is not only an amazing arm work out, but is also a puzzle. 'How am I going to choose the right hand and foot holds to get me to the top while staying within the correct trail I started with?' After an attempt at a hard trail Victoria and I would stand back after and discuss other options that would help us get further on our next attempt. This is mainly what we did with the bouldering paths.
There is one trail there, that was considered a 5.7 with orange tape marking which rocks we were allowed to use to get to the top; this trail challenged us due to fear when we first started then challenged us again at the end due to our tapped out arm strength.
By the end of the day my arms felt shaky like jello. What a perfect work out though! Rock climbing works on your core strength. Today my arms hurt badly. This pain is a good sort of pain. This pain was caused by me doing something good for my body.
To become a better runner I need to cross train to develop muscles that running doesn't reach.
We decided to split a 10 day pass giving us 5 trips each. Neither of us plan to come without the other so we decided this was the best deal to give us chances to go back without a restricting time frame. Since we have to drive 50 minutes up to the center we don't know how many times we will make it back in the next 3 months.
I am excited about this year. This will be an active year for me; a year to develop myself in many ways. What makes me happy? What do I want for my life? How can I be happy with anyone else if I am not happy by myself? I cannot allow myself to be defined by who I am with or the people around me, instead I need to find who I am and to develop that person as I discover her.
Joy comes from within not from anywhere else. If you put your possibility of joy in anyone else sadness will find you every time. The time is now. I don't have children and I don't have a husband. (I do have a life partner who is great). 2012 is the year I make things happen; to bring what I want for my life into view.
In addition to the list I started above other item that will sneak back into my life are going back to school. It is time to give a little of my time to working on my degree. I will be taking a math class and an English this term.
Here is the list:
1. A 5K Race
2. A 10K Race
3. Rock Climbing/strengthening my arms
4. College
I think this is a manageable list! 2012, Bring it on! :)
Now to go stretch out my arms! Ouch they sure do hurt!
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