A Riddle...

Lynette gave me this riddle yesterday and I thought it was pretty clever. I'm going to share it with you folks.

What is the only nine letter word in the English language from which you can remove one letter at a time and be left with a real English word after each removal? The answer is startling.

I don't know if the assumption the riddle rests on is actually factual, but it's still pretty neat.


I have no idea how far I actually ran today because I spent at least 45 minutes running back and forth trying to calibrate my pedometer. I think it's still not calibrated correctly, or maybe I just have to accept the fact that a five dollar pedometer is just not going to be that accurate. I don't really believe my jogging stride is 42 inches, but that's not a question that a tape measure, some wet grass, and some dry cement can't answer.

It was really freaking humid this morning. I could see my breath at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It felt like I was drowning more and more with each step. Each breath was a literal gulp of air.

ran: 1 mile (recorded), 1.5 miles (estimated)

crunches: 0

push-ups: 0

More Running...

I ran until I got a stitch in my side today. I haven't felt that in quite a long time. I guess that means I reached my current limit? My "max", as it were? I don't know. I suppose two miles is a good place to sit for a bit. I'll work on that distance for a week or so, then try for three.

I started crunches and push-ups today.

I'm going to try to start including some more interesting content along with these updates. Some short stories or poetry or something. I don't want it to be too boring for my one follower.

EDIT: I bought a bathroom scale and pedometer at Wal*Mart today.

210 lbs.

ran: 2 miles, 5 minute break in between.

crunches: 30

push-ups: 20

Running, Running, Running...

I've "begun exercising" at several different times in the past. But for me, Starting to exercise is exactly like when someone tries to quit smoking, in that, it doesn't really stick. Not without some kind of accountability. From now on, that's going to be part of what this blog is used for.

Argument: As it stands, I weigh about twenty or thirty more pounds than I would like to, especially without much muscle to show for it. My driver's license places me at 200 pounds. But I was a fat ass when it was made, and I haven't been under 200 since I was in middle school. Nevertheless, it's a good starting target.

Plan: I'm going to run at least every two days, and make sure that I get some sort of exercise every day. I ran half a mile on Friday just to let my body know what's up, that it needs to get ready for some hardcore... stuff. I went hiking in the mountains on Saturday, and played a brisk nine holes of disc golf yesterday, jogging between throws... at least until I caught up to every amateur golfer at Red Rocks Community College on the eighth hole.

Goal: I want to end up somewhere around 180 pounds if I don't gain much muscle. If I do, somewhere between 190 to 195 is acceptable. This is the primary goal. My secondary one is a little more personal and a bit graphic, so be warned. What I want most is to be able to stand in the shower, look down, and see my junk without any trouble, whatsoever. I mean without sucking in the gut or leaning over more than five degrees. I realize that might sound kind of silly to some of you, but I'm totally serious. I'm sick of this silly body.

I have no real time frame for when I will accomplish these goals because this is a fairly unstructured workout regimen. I'm going to try to either increase my distance or improve my mileage time each day I run. I also need to buy a pedometer and a bathroom scale.
I'm going to try doing this without altering my diet significantly, with one exception; I will drink less soda and more water/juices. I believe that a person should be able to be physically fit and have a healthy metabolism without a wild and crazy diet.

So, here we go. Today's statistics:

210 lbs.

Ran: 1.6 miles

Crunches: 0

Push-ups: 0



P.S.
It might be easier to maintain this if I had some kind of workout buddy (wink wink nudge nudge, Richard Greene) who could maybe make updates on their blog about their fitness progress. Just a request.