Still running

So most of my training so far has been inside and on an elliptical machine (because that's what we happen to have at home). I was a little worried that this might skew things for me because I know that elliptical is really nothing like actual running. However, I decided to keep with it because of two primary reasons: 1) It was an excuse to keep exercising and add some structure to my routine. 2) Even if I couldn't actually run, I figured this would increase my endurance; especially since when I'm on the machine my 'walking' periods are more like jogging and my 'run' periods are almost at my top speed.

This weekend I finally did my first test outside and on the pavement. I managed to coax my husband to come along since I was still in the first week of C25k and more than half the time is spent walking anyway. We headed out to the park and around the joggling trail there, and it was so easy! I think that the elliptical really is building up my endurance because I never really felt tired until about the last run segment. I did feel a little bit of pressure on my shins, but that's because my running shoes are about a year old and have never been used for real running before. I think with some new shoes, I will be set.

Now that the weather is so nice, my hope is to run outside at least once a week and maybe even more once I continue to adjust to waking up early. I am encouraged, because I feel that this 5K thing could really be in reach!

My Goal to run a 5K

Okay, so when I learned about Orc Stomp last week, it was the final straw to urge me into some sort of running program since I have been considering doing that for awhile. I have never been much of a runner, but I do feel like it is better for my body than simply walking and I figure if a bunch of other geeks can do it, then so can I. Besides, I have also been thinking about some sort of "structure" to add to my exercise routines so a 'Couch to 5K' deal along with some weight lifting seemed like a good start.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been doing interval training on the elliptical machine every morning for 20 minutes. I did a test run of the first session of the Couch to 5k schedule on Saturday to see how it would go -- It felt great! Unfortunately, I spent the rest of the day Saturday doing rigorous yard-work and nearly threw out my back. So yesterday was a big REST and planning day. I talked with my husband on what kind of weight training to do. He has done some lifting in the past and put together a nice schedule for me which starts with a couple of weeks of simple strengthening exercises before I actually pick up a serious weight. (I am a big weakling.)

The plan is to lift on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; run on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays; and rest on Sunday. This works best with my current work and sleep schedule and will hopefully make it easier to stick with for the long term.

This morning I did 90 sit-ups, 18 push-ups (yes on my knees 'cause I'm a girl), 24 squats and 24 calf raises. My legs can already feel a little burn, but I'm sure that will pass in time.

Wish me luck! I'll hopefully keep this site updated as I progress. Feel free to bug me now and then if you want to know how it's going. You know -- accountability and all that. ;)

Sucker Punch

There has been a lot of discussion in my circles lately about Sucker Punch, which I saw this weekend, and I want to express my opinion too. Before I get into too much detail, let me state upfront that that this was NOT an awesome flick that should be applauded by all, but just that it can be enjoyed and may be worth your time and money if you know what you're getting in to. I personally rate it a 7 out of 10. For comparison, my rating for Watchmen is 9 and Transformers a 4.

I bring up Transformers because it is an example I use for comparison. Many critics have said that Sucker Punch fails to provide a deep story or interesting characters and relies heavily on action sequences. That is how I feel about Transformers -- even though there are characters you are supposed to relate to and possibly a story you should care about, I just didn't get all that. To me, Transformers was just a bunch of great special effects tied together with a shoe-string story where the audience can smile and eat their popcorn. This is not necessarily a bad thing because I really enjoy a simple, action-filled popcorn movie from time to time.

And in many ways, this is probably a big reason why I did enjoy Sucker Punch. The action sequences made me smile, even though I could see that the special effects budget was limited (Some sequences looked about a decade behind). But where else are you going to see one film that has Nazis, undead, orcs, dragons, androids, and girls kicking ass all in one place?

Yet there was enough of a story that resonated with me personally that helped me get into the film. Being female, I often feel an inner struggle between the contempt at being idolized physically and a desire to embrace sexuality. Keep in mind most of the story we see on the screen is actually the inner mind of one of characters, which I felt characterized this womanly struggle. However, one of the draw-backs of the movie is that only by paying very close attention do we get any clue of what happened in the 'real' world versus what is just going on in someone's head. I think much of the audience has confused what was supposed to be fantasy with what should be considered real. A better written screenplay might have distinguished the multiple 'worlds' more clearly to the viewer. If you can successfully separate the story elements, I think it makes for a more enjoyable experience.

Finally, I think it is helpful to know going in that this movie has some very dark and depressing overtones, similar in my mind to Saving Private Ryan. There are lots of struggles along the way; in the end things are mostly happy, but there are many defeats as well. With a war movie like Saving Private Ryan, your expectations are correctly set ahead of time that allow you accept a certain amount of cringing and crying. However, I don't believe that Sucker Punch sets itself up appropriately for a similar amount of tragedy. You have been warned.

Vacation for Fun!

So one of our first big trips this year was to PAX East in Boston, MA. I have a few pictures to share: PAX East 2010.

Yes, I know this site has been quiet for awhile. Work has kept me busy, but I intend to change things soon.

Cooking Day Oct. 2010

The family got together this past weekend for a long over-due cooking day. I was at my sister's house from about 8:30am until 10:30pm with only the briefest of breaks through-out the day. We ended up with enough food for 92 meals -- definitely the most we've made in one day before. I'm still trying to recover, so it will be a long time before we go at it again.

Burning Man 2010

The trip has been over for four and half days now and I finally found the time to go through the photographs. I tried to add captions and comments to the web album, so I hope you can make sense of these images. Burning Man just can't be described. Even though a picture is worth 1,000 words, these pictures don't do the event justice.

KantCon was awesome!

It's hard to recapture all the cool things that happened at KantCon over the weekend. Basically, I went in to this both hopeful and nervous, and I came out exuberant and exhausted. I am really excited about the prospects for next year and I hope I can be just a little more involved and helpful. While I was there, I kept forgetting that I had a camera with me. Even when I did remember it was there, I would pick it up only rarely, so I have very few photos to share. They don't do the experience justice.

For all of you who ignored my spams about this event, I feel sorry for you. You missed out on some serious fun. Maybe next year you will heed my pleas.