Semester 3- Change

I can't believe it has already been a full year since I started college. By and large (and I do mean large), I am basically the same person that showed up here last year as a freshman. Of course, many things have changed. Good changes and bad changes. Things I learned. Things I realized I didn't learn. Some deep thoughts, some not so deep thoughts.

For example, at this time last year I was cautiously optimistic about cafeteria food.

I had been disappointed several times, but had also found some things I enjoyed. I figured I would get tired of the food eventually, but that it was generally ok.

A year later, they still serve the same meals. Too much of a good thing is really a bad thing, right? Too much of a really bad thing is terrible.

That's why I am already sick of the dining halls (except for the ice cream)

What else has changed this semester?

1. I'm getting married in less than a year!!!!

2. I have scaled up my training in all three areas and feel as though I am nearing the best shape of my life.

3. I now have absurd amounts of homework.

4. I now live exactly 136 feet down the hall from where I used to.

I was going somewhere with this, but I need to study for anatomy. Here's what I have waiting for me (except it's on an actual dead person).

You would be amazed at the similarities in google search results for "lower limb cadaver" and "college cafeteria food".

Just kidding.

But really.

Success!

If you checked my blog at any point between last Monday and May, you may have realized that I haven't done any blogging at all. Period. Nothing. And I am sorry.

You see, I found this funny correlation. The more cool things I have going on in the "real world", the less inclined I am to actually get on here and blog about it.

Do not think that means that my life stinks because I am on here blogging tonight. In fact, quite the opposite. The fact here is that even my plodding, ponderous mind turns to composition of words and....uh....things every once in a while :)

That is why I am here blogging late on a Wednesday night, after a most excellent day filled with my fiance, Chick-Fil-A, and productive studying habits.

O yes. I believe that since I have not technically announced that on this blog (see last post in May), I should say it officially. I am engaged :) my fiance is absolutely the best, and we will be married next May ( and I will probably be due for another blog post about that time too).

Here is a picture of us on top of the mountain where I proposed.

I have more news to share. Because I am a science major, I like outlines.

1- I successfully completed the Branson Ironman 70.3 last Sunday. I expect a full race report with pictures to be up by Christmas break. Suffice it to say that it was the most grueling, enjoyable, exhilarating experience of my life. Seriously. Last 9 months of training=totally worth it.

PS-That is why that picture is way up at the top.

2-I have new classes this semester. They go like this.

History(Honors)

Writing for the Professions

Anatomy w/ Lab

Organic Chemistry w/ Lab

EMT-B Training.

Located above is as many books as would reasonably fit on my iPhone camera.

3- The above may explain a lower frequency of posts this semester. That, plus the fact that my brain is almost as lazy as I am and can't stand any creative more than once a month :)

Seriously, though. While I love blogging, I just can't stand the massive time commitment (I am going on 8 minutes since starting this post), I can't take the stress of the writing process (spell checking? Are you kidding me?), and I suffer from anxiety when I think that other people are able to read my thoughts on the internet.

4- Lastly, I am increasingly distracted every day. That's not to say that I can't focus on anything, just that I m-

So this is where I do some self promoting for my own blog and myself.

-I am planning (read that: helping my fiance plan) a wedding this year. I am actually planning a honeymoon to follow shortly after that wedding, and therefore want to solicit advice from all of you other web-savvy readers out there. First, please recover from shock at seeing my blog re-appear on your RSS feed, Google Reader, or whatever. Then, kindly let me know about good travel websites, travel deals, low airfares, etc.

-I need to read through my old posts and the comments you all have made. Sadly, I must approve each and every comment before it goes to the blog. This is why I had countless comments to pre-read, censor, approve, and label appropriate and such. Because I didn't want to actually do all of that work-related material, I deleted all of them. Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

I have now disabled the "approval needed" function of my blog. Comment at your will.

I also added little buttons at the top. I am not sure what they do, but please push them, find out, and let me know.

Adios

Branson Pre-Race Analysis

So with a mere 5.5 days until the Half Ironman in Branson, it is my job now to be aware of what I am getting myself into. I'm looking into my race strategies, strengths, weaknesses, and race plan. I guess knowing my strengths and weaknesses is the best place to start here. I have a number of things going for me (some of them are odd, but they are indeed cleverly disguised strengths. There are also some things I have going against me, and I need to be ready for these on Sunday. Without further ado:

Strengths:

1- Ignorance.

Most likely my greatest strength going into this race (and sometimes life in general), I have no idea what I am getting myself into. Sure, I know all kinds of info about the distances, the course, and the ideas behind the race, but I have never actually done this distance before. This is good.

Had I done this before, I would have known exactly how badly this would hurt. I would know exactly how sore I would be the next day. I am glad I don't know these things.

2- Youth

I am only 19 years old, but I still have several years of experience in endurance sports. This means I know only some of my limits, benefit from lightning fast recovery and energy reserves, and am generally more flexible and resilient than I will be 10 years from now.

3-Weather.

The forecast is calling for a high of 81 in Branson on Sunday, which is perfect. Maybe growing up in San Diego, maybe some mental thing, I have no idea. Point is, I run better when it's warm. I know that I sweat better and that bodies run better when it's about 20 degrees cooler. Who cares. I like it to be warm.

4-Running

I've done it for a long time. Even if I demolish myself on the bike ride, I can still suffer through the half marathon. This is a good thing.

CONS:

1-Ignorance

I have no clue what I am getting myself into. Literally. This will be interesting.

2-Youth

The best triathletes tend to be about mid 30's. All the experience just builds and builds, and they can push themselves farther and faster. Check out the ages of most of the Ironman world champs.

3-Hills

There are a ton of them in Branson. The elevation profile looks like a sine curve on steroids (and it never goes beneath zero, either). The fastest way to kill a good run is to bike too much. I will find this out shortly.

I really need to study. More to come.