Day 1...

I went running today, something I hadn't done in a while. Thing is, I pretty much hate running but I went and did it. I couldn't find my mp3 player so I had to run the way I hate most, in relative silence, and plus there was some crazy 99.99999 percent humidity. Sucked... during it. But I needed to. I've mentioned before that this year if something was really bothering me, I would force myself to work out to improve my mood. Today was one of those days. So I ran a few miles to get my endorphins (aka happy hormones) up quickly. Endorphins are my friends. I went as far as I could go after my body gave me a holler to remind me there's but so far it was going to go eventhough my mind was pushing at a different level. So I not only got the natural benefits but also a nice sense of accomplishment for going farther, running past the point my body was indicating I should. After I stopped, my bad knees were a little sore and I had to sit because my legs were wobbly and I was out of breath, but other than that I felt great. Once you get past the initial annoyances, it's such a beneficial act on many levels.

Anyway, during my endorphin high, I started thinking about goals, how I achieve them, and what new goal I wanted to set in terms of working out now that the weather is nice. So, I decided I'm going to go running every day for the next 100 days (shorter distances every 7th day for a "break" day). I'm also going to change my weekday morning habit. I usual use my mornings to lounge, but I'm going to make that my time for trips to the gym/track. I usually do that all in the evening but the effects are most beneficial in the morning so I'll give it a try.

I'm generally good when I spell out goals and timeframes, and especially after I've written them down. I'd be a pretty big loser if I posted this and didn't follow through. I guess we'll see come beginning of September...

Black woman on a snowboard...

As mentioned in an earlier blog post, I set several goals at the beginning of this year, and high on my list was finally going skiing or snowboarding. This past weekend I achieved that goal! I was THE black woman on a snowboard at Sno Mountain in PA this weekend. Really... the only one. I did see like 8 black people total maybe, out of the (easily) 1000+ at the place but they were on skiis. I had absolutely no experience and I braved the snowboard... which meant having to go flying down a slope with both my feet attached to a board. I was nothing but excited about it before, and after doing it, it was even more fun than I had imagined.

Thankfully there were lessons offered at this place so I got to learn all the basics. I think the lesson was the most tiring part. I was sweating hard after an hour of it. But I got to get the hang of the thing and learn all the terms. After an hour lesson I was feeling pretty good. I was ready to go!

They should have spent more time during the lesson explaining how not to bust one's ass coming off the lift. 'Cause I busted it bad every damn time. Whoever decided to stick a HUGE dip right as you get off a moving seat obviously did so without beginners in mind. I think it's especial awkward for a snowboarder. Anyway, after getting off the lift the first time I set up to go down the hill. After strapping in and getting up, I set off down the slope. I was flying! I didn't do any carving (making a "S" as I went) because I didn't want to break the flow. When I got near the bottom I did the proper stop and didn't fall! It was one of the most fun things I've ever done in my life, and I did it without falling first time down the slope. I screamed like I won a million dollars, and people looked at me like I was crazy. Unfortunately that wasn't the time I got on camera.

I continued to go back up and bust my behind coming off the lift, but I did realize I would fair better if I sat on the left side of the lift rather than the right (though I still fell but not as quickly). I was very proud of the fact that I was only falling when trying to avoid people falling in front of me. We were taught how to turn and whatnot, but when you see someone go down in front of you, the immediate thought is not 'turn ever so gently' but your mind instead goes 'STOP!!!' So that's what I'd do.... and I'd fall. But falling is actually fun on a snowboard. The adjacent photo is right after a "stop!!" moment. You can see a girl in light blue lying down on the left behind the people who I was trying not to hit. BUT before I stopped, my snowboarding partner got the good part of my trip down the slope all on video, but I don't have it yet. Though I am definitely going to post it and send it to *everyone* I know :). I don't care it was only the bunny slope, I was a pro and I'm proud of it!

Anyway, I was cold and exhausted after not too long and went inside and got drinks, which I have to say is a great part of the ski resort experience. Having an alcoholic drink while watching everyone ski and having a live singer/acoustic guitar player was awesome. The whole experience was awesome. I definitely plan to go again and next time I might give skiing a shot, but I have a feeling snowboarding is more my thing.

Soooo, next up, indoor-skydiving...