It's Friday! Woo! Today has been a really 'off' day for me. I've been tired all week and, for the first time in a long time, I came home and took a nap. When I woke up, the gym was already almost closed. Needless to say, I didn't do anything physical today. When sitting down has me nodding off in less than a minute, I tend to listen... Yet, it still took me a really long time to fall asleep when I actually wanted to. I hate that. When I woke up, I proceeded to be lazy.
Today was the memorial service for one of our sergeants who left this post a ways back and then died in combat in Iraq. I've never been to a Marine memorial service before. I was worried that it would be some sort of overly-scripted, retarded affair... but it wasn't. The only problem was when one particular Marine got up at the end to exercise his soap box. Not cool. Besides that one little annoyance, there was a lot of good things said about this particular Marine, the life he lived, and what kind of example that set for the rest of us. It was driven home further by the first-generation naturalized American who had to speak on her experiences with this particular Marine and what she felt for all of us and our (and I include her in 'our') country.
My platoon commander wanted us to meditate on her words: worth dying for. I think I've found a lot of things that are worth it.
Language: Today was a review day followed by a video. It pretty much sucked as I was bored and irritable most of the day. I wasn't even free to study how I wanted to.
Personal: I'm a horrible person. And it rocks.
02 February 2007
01 February 2007
Training Day 18
I had a good day today. I didn't get as much done as I normally do but it was a good recuperation day. Tomorrow is Friday! My schedule should also permit a lot more training, which is a good way to start the weekend.
Language: Today started off moving quickly enough but slowed waaaaay down towards the end of the day. I even started falling asleep and got caught by my class leader a few times. Fortunately, I'm pretty quick to snap-to when he speaks to me or asks me to do something so I think I've built up a buffer against stupid stuff happening to me. I still went out tonight and bought grippers to develop my hand strength and keep myself active while I sit in class. I did it ASAP so that my class leader would know I am trying.
Marathon: Today the Momrine was on quarters for dual blooming ear infections. Ick. Apparently, she needed the rest. I, however, think it was all a skillful revenge scheme. She had plotted out this 4mi course we were supposed to run today and then she conveniently got sick the day of the run. I, however, still ran. I accidentally cut the course short to 3.76mi but I did run it with all it's little hills and the constant climb at the end. All in all, I didn't stop running once and the 3.76mi (or more as I didn't run the exact MapQuest route) on varied terrain with inclines took me 31:08:06. It's slower than my last PFT but not a bad time.
Combat: Today I studied autostatic and autokinetic reactions, which is where the SCARS/PACT materials really stands out. Basically, it's the study of human anatomy, physics, and reflexive reactions to stimuli to learn how to control your opponent. The basic premise is that, due to the way the body is designed, blows to certain areas will always have a certain effect. It could be displacing the body's position or disrupting various functions through assaults on the nervous system. Then there is the matter of abusing an opponent's reflex actions (like when you turn away from a hand flicked at your face or snap your hand back when you brush against something hot) to control them. These reflexes work before the stimuli even reaches the brain and is not pain-based. Therefore, they always work. A skilled fighter knows what buttons to push on an opponent to throw his mind into disarray, disrupt bodily function, incapacitate him, or kill him, as the situation warrants.
Personal: Today was a good, relaxing day. I just chilled with friends. Oh! I also passed my field day inspection with flying colors and it was the first of the new difficult ones. Plus, the inspector walked into my room while I was there during lunch. That was a surprise. I filed my taxes too so I have more money to fill in that hole of red ink I dug.
Language: Today started off moving quickly enough but slowed waaaaay down towards the end of the day. I even started falling asleep and got caught by my class leader a few times. Fortunately, I'm pretty quick to snap-to when he speaks to me or asks me to do something so I think I've built up a buffer against stupid stuff happening to me. I still went out tonight and bought grippers to develop my hand strength and keep myself active while I sit in class. I did it ASAP so that my class leader would know I am trying.
Marathon: Today the Momrine was on quarters for dual blooming ear infections. Ick. Apparently, she needed the rest. I, however, think it was all a skillful revenge scheme. She had plotted out this 4mi course we were supposed to run today and then she conveniently got sick the day of the run. I, however, still ran. I accidentally cut the course short to 3.76mi but I did run it with all it's little hills and the constant climb at the end. All in all, I didn't stop running once and the 3.76mi (or more as I didn't run the exact MapQuest route) on varied terrain with inclines took me 31:08:06. It's slower than my last PFT but not a bad time.
Combat: Today I studied autostatic and autokinetic reactions, which is where the SCARS/PACT materials really stands out. Basically, it's the study of human anatomy, physics, and reflexive reactions to stimuli to learn how to control your opponent. The basic premise is that, due to the way the body is designed, blows to certain areas will always have a certain effect. It could be displacing the body's position or disrupting various functions through assaults on the nervous system. Then there is the matter of abusing an opponent's reflex actions (like when you turn away from a hand flicked at your face or snap your hand back when you brush against something hot) to control them. These reflexes work before the stimuli even reaches the brain and is not pain-based. Therefore, they always work. A skilled fighter knows what buttons to push on an opponent to throw his mind into disarray, disrupt bodily function, incapacitate him, or kill him, as the situation warrants.
Personal: Today was a good, relaxing day. I just chilled with friends. Oh! I also passed my field day inspection with flying colors and it was the first of the new difficult ones. Plus, the inspector walked into my room while I was there during lunch. That was a surprise. I filed my taxes too so I have more money to fill in that hole of red ink I dug.
Training Day 17
So, it's technically the next day but I haven't hit the rack yet. Why? Because today was another really interesting (and jacked up day). Field day now kicks off at 1900 on Wednesday instead of at 2100 on Thursday so that really threw a wrench in my training cycle as field day is now much more involved and time-consuming as well. Then there was just this and that... well... It's all below. The end result is I barely got a fraction of the training done that I normally do.
Language: Today was my first immersion day in my new class. Now, I had done this immersion before in my old class but they changed half of it since then. The biggest change, however, was personal in that I was confident, competent, and having a blast. Yes, I enjoyed using my target language. Today was such a boost to my confidence. Now, with everything else that happened today, I got a minimal amount of studying in.
Marathon: My immersion ran late and the Momrine forgot her running gear so we ran at the gym at her place. My treadmill had ruts underneath the tread. It was unsettling to run on. I had every intention of making this a pacing run so I set the initial speed at 5mph (and at one point I set my pace to 10mph to see how fast I need to run for a perfect PFT) but towards 12min the Momrine was suffering so we started running at her pace. Initially, it dropped way down. However, as time went on, she pushed it up. What more, she willingly cut out her breaks after the first one. Then, at the end, she pushed the speed to 5mph then past that to 6mph. When all was said and done we finished with a new low time of 39:10 for the 3mi, despite the complications. Of course, she nearly fell over when she got off the treadmill.
Still, that was a major gut check and she did great.
Personal: Sometimes, life sucks. Sometimes, it seems like you're on one of those little hamster wheels. Sometimes, you get tired. Then, some really rare times, everything falls into place in such a way that you're looking around for the architect, your friends all deny involvement, and you're left barely constraining the urge to run down the barracks hallway screaming some incomprehensible stream of words about the mighty powers of your awesomeness. At which point one of your annoyed barracks mates clotheslines you and, when you come to, you thrust a finger at the sky and shout, "GOD! You ROCK!" Then you throw up the horns before you realize maybe The Man doesn't appreciate that.... but you're sure He knows what you mean so it's okay.
Yeah... It's been one of those days. Let's see how tomorrow fares with this twice-reduced sleep.
OORAH!!! simple, no nonsense, no stuffy priests, no judgemental churches, no tithing, no gossipy masses faith! Everything works out in the end, I swear.
Language: Today was my first immersion day in my new class. Now, I had done this immersion before in my old class but they changed half of it since then. The biggest change, however, was personal in that I was confident, competent, and having a blast. Yes, I enjoyed using my target language. Today was such a boost to my confidence. Now, with everything else that happened today, I got a minimal amount of studying in.
Marathon: My immersion ran late and the Momrine forgot her running gear so we ran at the gym at her place. My treadmill had ruts underneath the tread. It was unsettling to run on. I had every intention of making this a pacing run so I set the initial speed at 5mph (and at one point I set my pace to 10mph to see how fast I need to run for a perfect PFT) but towards 12min the Momrine was suffering so we started running at her pace. Initially, it dropped way down. However, as time went on, she pushed it up. What more, she willingly cut out her breaks after the first one. Then, at the end, she pushed the speed to 5mph then past that to 6mph. When all was said and done we finished with a new low time of 39:10 for the 3mi, despite the complications. Of course, she nearly fell over when she got off the treadmill.
Still, that was a major gut check and she did great.
Personal: Sometimes, life sucks. Sometimes, it seems like you're on one of those little hamster wheels. Sometimes, you get tired. Then, some really rare times, everything falls into place in such a way that you're looking around for the architect, your friends all deny involvement, and you're left barely constraining the urge to run down the barracks hallway screaming some incomprehensible stream of words about the mighty powers of your awesomeness. At which point one of your annoyed barracks mates clotheslines you and, when you come to, you thrust a finger at the sky and shout, "GOD! You ROCK!" Then you throw up the horns before you realize maybe The Man doesn't appreciate that.... but you're sure He knows what you mean so it's okay.
Yeah... It's been one of those days. Let's see how tomorrow fares with this twice-reduced sleep.
OORAH!!! simple, no nonsense, no stuffy priests, no judgemental churches, no tithing, no gossipy masses faith! Everything works out in the end, I swear.
30 January 2007
Training Day 16
Yesterday was quite the day. Right before I posted this blog I received a text message saying we needed to get a mutual friend out of the barracks. Next thing I know, it's 0200 and I'm beat so this is going up a day late.
Language: I started my day with speaking practice before class with a teacher who really pushed me to develop an effective biography narration. Then I spent the rest of the day practicing speaking with other students and watching documentaries on the target country. It is such a jacked up place. I hope an effective OSA surgery is developed so that I can go ground pound when all hell finally breaks loose. Yesterday was more self study so I studied my vocab cards then hit all of this unit's vocab with the "Before You Know it Program."
Combat: Yesterday I continued my study of the PACT material. I am starting with the law enforcement material as it includes such topics as continuum of force, verbal controls, and nonlethal restraints and action. As I am not always in an actual combat zone and my opponents are likely to be civilians, I need to know how to properly recognize an escalating situation and how to deal with it in the most efficient way possible while minimizing personal injury, unnecessary injury or death of my opponent, and liability. This starts with voice control over a non-hostile but agitated subject.
Verbal control actually is pretty simple. I need to avoid emotionally-charged words, avoid further agitating the subject with negative or restricting phrases, and instead encourage compliance. As long as I can do this, I can hopefully diffuse a hostile situation instead of go to blows. If no blows are thrown, no one is going to be injured or legally liable for anything.
...Unless someone sues me for emotional damage because I used strong (but not crude) language.
I also reviewed some of the video material pertaining to the correct mindset and offensive vs defensive fighting. The proper aggressive mindset combined with simple but effective training allows me to be ready to fight at any time and in any situation. The really interesting material illustrated the difference between offensive vs defensive fighting by contrasting footage of common fighting mistakes the like you encounter with unskilled street fighters and various sport fighters: Their 'guard' is ineffective. They don't drive their body behind their blows. They don't follow through. They fight statically, front to front, rather than move around their opponent in order to throw his body into disarray.
It's all very exciting. I'm going to spend a bit more time studying the science behind the fighting and developing the proper mindset before I launch into developing my body weapons.
Metaphysics: Yesterday's dream was pretty dull. It was pretty much ripped from one of my games. I did finally pick up my tarot deck for the first time in months. I always enjoyed working with the tarot and it was accurate for me so I am eager to dive back in. However, I need to spend some time reacquainting myself with the cards first.
Music: I actually managed to pick up my guitar yesterday! Tuning is such a pain for me and I'm not even sure it's right... I'll have to have my guitar overhauled once I have the cash. I can still practice my finger-picking, however, and I still seem to know how to pick my E string.
Gaming: Crafting binge! WOO!
Personal: Yesterday was interesting to say the least. Just... Yeah. Interesting.
Language: I started my day with speaking practice before class with a teacher who really pushed me to develop an effective biography narration. Then I spent the rest of the day practicing speaking with other students and watching documentaries on the target country. It is such a jacked up place. I hope an effective OSA surgery is developed so that I can go ground pound when all hell finally breaks loose. Yesterday was more self study so I studied my vocab cards then hit all of this unit's vocab with the "Before You Know it Program."
Combat: Yesterday I continued my study of the PACT material. I am starting with the law enforcement material as it includes such topics as continuum of force, verbal controls, and nonlethal restraints and action. As I am not always in an actual combat zone and my opponents are likely to be civilians, I need to know how to properly recognize an escalating situation and how to deal with it in the most efficient way possible while minimizing personal injury, unnecessary injury or death of my opponent, and liability. This starts with voice control over a non-hostile but agitated subject.
Verbal control actually is pretty simple. I need to avoid emotionally-charged words, avoid further agitating the subject with negative or restricting phrases, and instead encourage compliance. As long as I can do this, I can hopefully diffuse a hostile situation instead of go to blows. If no blows are thrown, no one is going to be injured or legally liable for anything.
...Unless someone sues me for emotional damage because I used strong (but not crude) language.
I also reviewed some of the video material pertaining to the correct mindset and offensive vs defensive fighting. The proper aggressive mindset combined with simple but effective training allows me to be ready to fight at any time and in any situation. The really interesting material illustrated the difference between offensive vs defensive fighting by contrasting footage of common fighting mistakes the like you encounter with unskilled street fighters and various sport fighters: Their 'guard' is ineffective. They don't drive their body behind their blows. They don't follow through. They fight statically, front to front, rather than move around their opponent in order to throw his body into disarray.
It's all very exciting. I'm going to spend a bit more time studying the science behind the fighting and developing the proper mindset before I launch into developing my body weapons.
Metaphysics: Yesterday's dream was pretty dull. It was pretty much ripped from one of my games. I did finally pick up my tarot deck for the first time in months. I always enjoyed working with the tarot and it was accurate for me so I am eager to dive back in. However, I need to spend some time reacquainting myself with the cards first.
Music: I actually managed to pick up my guitar yesterday! Tuning is such a pain for me and I'm not even sure it's right... I'll have to have my guitar overhauled once I have the cash. I can still practice my finger-picking, however, and I still seem to know how to pick my E string.
Gaming: Crafting binge! WOO!
Personal: Yesterday was interesting to say the least. Just... Yeah. Interesting.
29 January 2007
Training Day 15
Today was an outstanding day. The amount of training I accomplished today is mind-boggling. Maybe I just needed this past weekend to revitalize. Maybe things just clicked today and I hauled butt. Whatever it was, I am going to see to it that it lasts. Tomorrow should be an even better day.
Language: Class was actually fun today. I scored 90/102 on my vocab preview quiz, which is higher than I thought I would score. Then we spent the day going over the new vocabulary, except for one period where we looked at ships. Even though my classmates somehow manage to score higher than me on the self-graded (*cough*) quiz, I still handle the exercises in the book better than most and my current quiz scores are much higher than the easier quizzes in my old class. Homework today consisted of four exercises from the book. I also did my vocabulary self-study. Tomorrow I have speaking practice all day, even before class, which is my weakest point in the language.
Marathon: It was cross-training today but the Momrine and I had to fly solo as I had a mandatory formation after school. I hit the bikes again but I was bored so I did a couple of PT tests. The first was the bike manufacturer's test and it put my estimated VO2 max at 51.6 or "excellent." Then I did the Air Force Bike PT test. Weighing in at 145, being 5'8", 20 years old, and male plus doing aerobic exercise at least three times a week (why that was a question on the test settings I don't know), I scored a 56. The thing is, the Air Force PT standards cap out at 50 for the aerobic bike portion. Hrm.... After all that I rode the hill program for 40 minutes. It was easy so I need to up the difficulty.
Fitness: I really need my trainer DVD to arrive. I think my form is slipping and that is bad all around for performance, results, health, and safety. Still, today was a good day seeing an increase in many of my weight categories. However, I am seriously starting to hit my caps.
Upper Abs: 4s pause at the crunch with 12/12/10 reps. I think my form sucks here.
Upper Chest: 30/30/35lbs with 12/12/12 reps. I would increase the weight more but my hands actually hurt from supporting the weights and I am approaching my limit.
Tibia Curls: 50/55/60lbs with 15/15/15 reps. I think I know why my shin splints went away.
Shoulder Pull Down: 110/120/130lbs with 12/12/10 reps. Better form this time, actually.
Lower Abs: 1/2/3s pause with 12/12/12 reps. I dropped the seconds to try and improve my form after the sucky upper abs crunches.
Lower Chest: 30/30/30lbs with 12/12/12 reps. These are hard for me but my last set seemed to be my strongest, which is unusually.
Calf Raises: 55/60/65lbs with 15/15/15 reps. I love my calves. I expect this weight to keep climbing.
Back Rows: 110/120/130lbs with 12/12/9 reps. I lost my form on the last set.
Combat: Today I've started my combat training again as I have this feeling that I may need it in the future. I need to be ready. Tonight I read some of my PACT materials on the history of the training, why it was created, and (the important part) various mental aspects necessary for a fearless, offensive approach to life, whatever the situation may be. It talked about how many fighters cripple themselves with the fear that has been trained into them with defensive techniques (like blocking) and even their defensive terminology. Defensive fighting is all about protecting yourself. If you are worried about protecting yourself, you are more afraid of what your opponent is going to do you than you are thinking about what you are going to do to your opponent. Therefore, you are always forced to react to your opponent with half-hearted (if any) strikes as your fear clashes with your actions. If you instead focus on how to take charge of a situation, instead of fear what might happen to you, you can take the appropriate actions to take control of your opponent and the situation around you. Then you survive.
Metaphysics: Today I filled out some entries in my dream journal. Long, vivid dreams, while impressive, take a long time and a couple pages to write out. Tonight I tried the relaxation ritual again and it worked! What more, I was slouching in a chair so I am getting practice to perform the ritual during breaks throughout my day before I snap at my classmates. Now I just need to learn how to perform the ritual with proper military posture. What more, this is the first step in learning to meditate properly then developing astral real estate for more advanced work. Tomorrow I think I'll start the next lesson.
Personal: I have enough money for food until payday. That is it. Right now, I am concocting a plan on how to spend the incoming money to reduce debt and deal with my vehicle. The big debate is do I purchase the tools to do my own work on the vehicle, pay to have that left wheel looked at, or pay some of what I owe on the work on the right wheel. I've already had to cut a few projects and I still haven't tailored the new clothes I have so that I can start wearing clothes that actually suit my personality and tastes. It's frustrating.
In other news, life is moving along... Sometimes it can be really confusing as I have a hard time figuring people out. Fortunately, I have a really simple faith to handle it: Things work out as they should as long as I try my hardest. This is why I train like I do. I stopped going to church because I was sick of being judged by people who had no business judging me. I still pray before I sleep, before I eat, and whenever it feels appropriate (mostly because I'm thankful). Then, since I have my faith, I don't worry. I just keep plugging along and even things that look rough turn out to have been for the better in weird but exciting ways.
What more, I think that the good things are worth being patient for. Not waiting for because waiting suggest inactivity. The good things just come at the exact moment they need to and not when you want them to. In the meantime, the good things are worth working for. The good things are worth fighting for. Often enough, the good 'things' are good people.
I have people worth fighting for now and I fight hard.
Language: Class was actually fun today. I scored 90/102 on my vocab preview quiz, which is higher than I thought I would score. Then we spent the day going over the new vocabulary, except for one period where we looked at ships. Even though my classmates somehow manage to score higher than me on the self-graded (*cough*) quiz, I still handle the exercises in the book better than most and my current quiz scores are much higher than the easier quizzes in my old class. Homework today consisted of four exercises from the book. I also did my vocabulary self-study. Tomorrow I have speaking practice all day, even before class, which is my weakest point in the language.
Marathon: It was cross-training today but the Momrine and I had to fly solo as I had a mandatory formation after school. I hit the bikes again but I was bored so I did a couple of PT tests. The first was the bike manufacturer's test and it put my estimated VO2 max at 51.6 or "excellent." Then I did the Air Force Bike PT test. Weighing in at 145, being 5'8", 20 years old, and male plus doing aerobic exercise at least three times a week (why that was a question on the test settings I don't know), I scored a 56. The thing is, the Air Force PT standards cap out at 50 for the aerobic bike portion. Hrm.... After all that I rode the hill program for 40 minutes. It was easy so I need to up the difficulty.
Fitness: I really need my trainer DVD to arrive. I think my form is slipping and that is bad all around for performance, results, health, and safety. Still, today was a good day seeing an increase in many of my weight categories. However, I am seriously starting to hit my caps.
Upper Abs: 4s pause at the crunch with 12/12/10 reps. I think my form sucks here.
Upper Chest: 30/30/35lbs with 12/12/12 reps. I would increase the weight more but my hands actually hurt from supporting the weights and I am approaching my limit.
Tibia Curls: 50/55/60lbs with 15/15/15 reps. I think I know why my shin splints went away.
Shoulder Pull Down: 110/120/130lbs with 12/12/10 reps. Better form this time, actually.
Lower Abs: 1/2/3s pause with 12/12/12 reps. I dropped the seconds to try and improve my form after the sucky upper abs crunches.
Lower Chest: 30/30/30lbs with 12/12/12 reps. These are hard for me but my last set seemed to be my strongest, which is unusually.
Calf Raises: 55/60/65lbs with 15/15/15 reps. I love my calves. I expect this weight to keep climbing.
Back Rows: 110/120/130lbs with 12/12/9 reps. I lost my form on the last set.
Combat: Today I've started my combat training again as I have this feeling that I may need it in the future. I need to be ready. Tonight I read some of my PACT materials on the history of the training, why it was created, and (the important part) various mental aspects necessary for a fearless, offensive approach to life, whatever the situation may be. It talked about how many fighters cripple themselves with the fear that has been trained into them with defensive techniques (like blocking) and even their defensive terminology. Defensive fighting is all about protecting yourself. If you are worried about protecting yourself, you are more afraid of what your opponent is going to do you than you are thinking about what you are going to do to your opponent. Therefore, you are always forced to react to your opponent with half-hearted (if any) strikes as your fear clashes with your actions. If you instead focus on how to take charge of a situation, instead of fear what might happen to you, you can take the appropriate actions to take control of your opponent and the situation around you. Then you survive.
Metaphysics: Today I filled out some entries in my dream journal. Long, vivid dreams, while impressive, take a long time and a couple pages to write out. Tonight I tried the relaxation ritual again and it worked! What more, I was slouching in a chair so I am getting practice to perform the ritual during breaks throughout my day before I snap at my classmates. Now I just need to learn how to perform the ritual with proper military posture. What more, this is the first step in learning to meditate properly then developing astral real estate for more advanced work. Tomorrow I think I'll start the next lesson.
Personal: I have enough money for food until payday. That is it. Right now, I am concocting a plan on how to spend the incoming money to reduce debt and deal with my vehicle. The big debate is do I purchase the tools to do my own work on the vehicle, pay to have that left wheel looked at, or pay some of what I owe on the work on the right wheel. I've already had to cut a few projects and I still haven't tailored the new clothes I have so that I can start wearing clothes that actually suit my personality and tastes. It's frustrating.
In other news, life is moving along... Sometimes it can be really confusing as I have a hard time figuring people out. Fortunately, I have a really simple faith to handle it: Things work out as they should as long as I try my hardest. This is why I train like I do. I stopped going to church because I was sick of being judged by people who had no business judging me. I still pray before I sleep, before I eat, and whenever it feels appropriate (mostly because I'm thankful). Then, since I have my faith, I don't worry. I just keep plugging along and even things that look rough turn out to have been for the better in weird but exciting ways.
What more, I think that the good things are worth being patient for. Not waiting for because waiting suggest inactivity. The good things just come at the exact moment they need to and not when you want them to. In the meantime, the good things are worth working for. The good things are worth fighting for. Often enough, the good 'things' are good people.
I have people worth fighting for now and I fight hard.
28 January 2007
Training Day 14
It is way too early to be Sunday. This entire weekend has been screwed up and I didn't get as much done as I would have liked but I did get my laundry done and I have a pretty light week ahead of me.
Language: Today's language training was minimal thanks to the screwed up weekend I've been having. Still, I reviewed the vocab I tried to teach myself this week. About a third of it stuck and the stack is pretty thick.
Marathon: I earned the Momrine's ire today. The curses and threats she threw my way were pretty funny except that she had this look in her eye when she said them. Fortunately, she was really tired and I stayed out of arm's reach during our 7mi run. That is longer than she has ever ran before. Then I decided this week to cut her breaks down from every 10 to every 15 minutes. Then I introduced hills to her workout. We have been running on predominately flat land so far but the half-Asilomar run starts going down hill, runs along the rolling slopes of the beach, then plows uphill on Forest Street for the finish. Again, the biggest things I took away from the run were pained knees and hearty admiration for the Momrine and how hard she is willing to push herself. It was really shaky towards the end there and it took a bit of work to get her to run when she wanted to walk but she did it.
7mi on varied terrain with a walking break every 15 minutes at 1:36:38. Only eight minutes slower than the 6mi on flat, paved terrain with a walking break every 10 minutes.
Gaming: I fired up Counter-Strike: Source today. I suck.
Personal: Life is... interesting. I am really excited and confident about the future.
Language: Today's language training was minimal thanks to the screwed up weekend I've been having. Still, I reviewed the vocab I tried to teach myself this week. About a third of it stuck and the stack is pretty thick.
Marathon: I earned the Momrine's ire today. The curses and threats she threw my way were pretty funny except that she had this look in her eye when she said them. Fortunately, she was really tired and I stayed out of arm's reach during our 7mi run. That is longer than she has ever ran before. Then I decided this week to cut her breaks down from every 10 to every 15 minutes. Then I introduced hills to her workout. We have been running on predominately flat land so far but the half-Asilomar run starts going down hill, runs along the rolling slopes of the beach, then plows uphill on Forest Street for the finish. Again, the biggest things I took away from the run were pained knees and hearty admiration for the Momrine and how hard she is willing to push herself. It was really shaky towards the end there and it took a bit of work to get her to run when she wanted to walk but she did it.
7mi on varied terrain with a walking break every 15 minutes at 1:36:38. Only eight minutes slower than the 6mi on flat, paved terrain with a walking break every 10 minutes.
Gaming: I fired up Counter-Strike: Source today. I suck.
Personal: Life is... interesting. I am really excited and confident about the future.
Training Day 13
Another late night but it was a good day. It started with a car wash, led towards a BBQ at my sergeant's house, and culminated with four of us playing games at the Momrine's house. All in all it was a good, if tiring, day. Not much happened though.
Language: I reviewed some vocabulary in the morning. It didn't go as well as I had hoped.
Gaming: I got to tinker with the Wii a bit at my sergeant's house and then had a few round of Smash Brothers thanks to what one of my squadmates brought over. At the Momrine's house we played a lot of DDR and I played a bit of Mount & Blade.
Metaphysics: I called my dad and we discussed the weird dreams I have been having and some techniques I need to practice. Now to implement them and see some progress.
Language: I reviewed some vocabulary in the morning. It didn't go as well as I had hoped.
Gaming: I got to tinker with the Wii a bit at my sergeant's house and then had a few round of Smash Brothers thanks to what one of my squadmates brought over. At the Momrine's house we played a lot of DDR and I played a bit of Mount & Blade.
Metaphysics: I called my dad and we discussed the weird dreams I have been having and some techniques I need to practice. Now to implement them and see some progress.
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