Couch to 5K Week 1

The normal Couch to 5K program typically takes about 2 months of training/ preparing. The 5K I’m trying to run takes place on May 11th, so after speaking with Scott Tantino, owner of the North Wales Running Company, looking at the schedule that Melody setup and also comparing the schedule that the Couch to 5K recommends following it was clear that I needed something of a hybrid.

Here’s my modified Couch to 5K program for week 1:

Running Shoes

Earlier in March, I began an attempt at trying to run a 5K. Some serious motivation from friends, coupled with a nice location to run, made it seem like this time an attempt at a 5K would actually result in the development of a habit. But, who would have thought that using cross trainers would be a drain on attempting to run a 5K? After less than two weeks of running, the shin splints couldn’t have hurt more and here I was back at looking to drop out again. Two weeks later Lilian won a contest to receive two pairs of running shoes from the North Wales Running Company and just like that the prospect of running with a new pair of shoes rekindled the desire to run again.

Today, after spending over an hour at the North Wales Running Company – I learned the reason for the shin splints, the type of shoes I should be using and some general knowledge of how the owner, Scott Tantino, chose to setup his store in North Wales, PA.

Motivation comes to each of us in different ways but walking out with a pair of new running shoes has definitely sparked a new desire to try and work on sticking to the couch to 5K program.

Mango

The past few weeks have been quite busy – new projects – new experiments – new hosting providers – new server issues and now in perfect timing a new way to learn a language. Mango – offers a new way to learn a new language. After taking French for six years in High School and not being  able to converse in it at all, I figured it was worth a shot. So far, the program has proved very impressive and not being able to benchmark it against a Rosetta product weakens my recommendation. Nevertheless, if you’re looking to pick up Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, French, Greek or German try them out. As for me, it’s Adios – Spanish for Goodbye.

Is a Toyota Corolla Worth It?

Last year my trusted, will never die, will run for ever, will cross 300,000 miles, will do cart wheels Honda Accord finally showed its age. After many days of research I finally decided I wanted to get a new Toyota Corolla. For the first year, I had zero complaints, however in the last two months, an onboard computer chip had to get replaced and now my center case latch needs to get replaced. None of the replacement parts cost me anything since the car is still covered under a warranty but what’s more concerning is the fact that great brand name products fail. It’s even more annonying when now you can’t walk around recommending your purchase knowing that the same things may fail for others. In this case, word of mouth marketing is definitely not in Toyota’s favor.

100 Most Influential Books Ever Written

Some day I hope that I’ll make time to read all of the books listed on the 100 Most Influential Books Ever Written page. Out of the list I’ve read a few but it’s time to review and re-read by way of an Audible subscription – another addition to my wish list on Amazon. 

Bible in a Year

I’m going to try and read more of the Bible as part of the plan to integrate this habit as part of a non-negotiable discipline. There are various methods to reading the Bible in a year:

• Chronological (Read the Bible based on chronological occurrence of events)
• Historical (Read the Bible in the order the books were written)
• Synchronous (Read the Old Testament and New Testament together)
• Start to Finish (Read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation)
• Variety (Read the Bible with no specific order)

I intend to follow the variety approach offered by Crosswalk’s Bible in a Year plan.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Are we at a point in time, when anyone in our spheres of influence (i.e. work, home, family, friends … ) would be okay if we didn’t send out holiday/ birthday/ seasons greetings and merely posted a simple note such as ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year’ on our blogs or webpages? Of course this message is sent out with all the warmth that would typically go in a greeting card and it would definitely beat the feeling that you may have forgotten to send out a card to someone. Besides, imagine how much paper you could save?

As a side note, this year’s lack of greeting cards being mailed out cannot be blamed on forgetfulness but rather on the the perils of laziness. Either way, next year I have two boxes of Hallmark cards waiting to be sent out. Amazing that I can prepare for events 365 days in advance.

Merry Thanksgiving