EPTA- Run a 5k in less than 20 minutes
B- Achieve C on ICCup
C- Finish and submit my novel to publishers
I decided to keep track of my progress on here because it would help push me to follow through. Additionally, I've already got some pretty useful advice helping me improve my goals, so this has already proven worth it.
If you feel physically or mentally bored or stuck, you should try to keep up with or beat me to these goals. Alternatively, set your own goals and meet and beat them. It is fun and it is worth it.
![[image loading]](http://www.westvalleytc.org/images/CrystalSpr.jpg)
Run a 5K in 20:00 or less over the summer.
I've been following this training guide to complete this goal.
My biggest problem with this goal thus far has been stretching. For most of the past few weeks, I have not engaged in proper stretching. It's all a bit shameful - both my mother and my sister are Physical Therapists and could help me out with a full, in depth guide the second I asked. So, the other day I stopped being lazy and gave my sister a call. This morning, fully streched and with a few sets of crunches and push ups behind me, I ran a 5k in 20 minutes and 30 seconds. Additionally, I did it on weird terrain - it is mostly flat but has half a dozen extremely hilly sections. Because my actual summer 5k is weeks away and will most likely be flatter, I am lowering my goal to 18 minutes. If I reach that during training, I will continue lower.
If anyone ever does take up running, my advice is two fold: STRETCH. And run with regularity. Running becomes super relaxing once it becomes a habit and you no longer have to worry about your muscles painfully tearing.
Also, my sister tells me that I should go get fitted for personalized running shoes. She ran a half marathon just a few weeks ago and says they make a world a difference. I have to look up some stores located around me up here at school, but I think it is a pretty good idea. I will tell you guys how that goes if and when I actually buy it.
New goal: Run a 5k in 18:00 or less.
![[image loading]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/3075679085_56c9fcba31_o.jpg)
Reach C-level on ICCup by the time my first 5k is run.
This goal is not advancing quite as planned.
First of all, I'm not able to build a good enough winning streak. My TvZ just isn't up to snuff and I feel like I run into nothing but Z on ICCup. Ah well.
I can't lie - the real reason this goal is faltering is Altitude. But I am getting back into BW after a three day hiatus and I am going to keep this goal.
![[image loading]](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2370/1570771454_81cc27ee65.jpg)
Finish and submit my novel to publishers by mid-summer.
This is not something I am going to rush. However, I feel that I am at a good point right now and plan on continuing writing very soon. I will give a short summary of the book here and next week I'll supply a short sample for you guys to read and critique if you like.
Describing the book is something that really should come much easier to me, but I always put too much thought into it. For starters, the book is called Optimistic. Here goes:
Optimistic is the story of a man named Sam living in a war torn city. The city, Canon, is the natural descendant of Gaza, Berlin, Warsaw, Stalingrad, Nanking and the countless other locales devastated by urban warfare throughout the past century. Living in the crosseyes of a convoluted war and a devastated population, Sam is forced to live his life second to second and ruined house to house.
Each soldier and each civilian contributes a voice to story. In fact, the book could be described as an attempt to explore further than the usual (and useless) faceless masses. It is a confirmation and examination of the idea that each army is made up of individual soldiers, each population is founded on every single life and that each human being is at once wildly unique and strikingly similar.
Some other prevalent topics: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, propaganda and punditry, family and other personal relationships, loyalty and .... well, way too many to list. I hope I've painted a marginally clear picture for you guys.
Anyway, 20:30! I'm fucking PSYCHED that I ran that and, because of the stretching, felt really, really good afterwards.
Now, I've really gotta go hit C.
I wish you the best of luck with all three!
