SO INTENSE

...is a good way to describe my last post. A bit too intense, mayhaps.

But, if you managed to get through it (uncomfortable squirming included), you would have found that I've hatched a hair-brained scheme to get back into the engineering groove. Hooray part-time grad school! If I get accepted, that is. I've applied to a few schools near Philly, and am hoping to either A.) Get a decent job that allows me to pay for a few classes per semester, or B.) Apply to an assistantship/fellowship for the following year, and just take one or two classes this year. Either way, I'd finally be productive and working toward my masters. It's not much, but at the same time, it's a whoooole lot.

My funky mood aside, I've actually been keeping up with the purpose of this blog (while not, erm, actually writing about it). But I have! For cereal! A few months ago, I started a lifting program in honor of the dreaded "beach season", and have (for once) started seeing results. Which means that I may not be a walking skeleton come July! And if you're familiar with my inability to gain any sort of weight, you know this is a big deal.

Am I still running, though? Ho yeah - although not as much as I was last fall. But I have a plan. Oh yes, a devious, maniacal, take-over-the-world-or-at-least-northern-Delaware type plan. Here's how it goes:

Step 1.) Continue with lifting program until late July, early August, when I've become a ripped, glistening Adonis of pure muscle, physique, etc etc.

Step 2.) Throughout said lifting program, continue running 9-12 miles per week, just to keep my legs with me. Occasionally pull-out a 5-miler, because sometimes it's impossible to hit the road, music blasting in your ears, and not run all over the city. But NO MORE.

Step 3.) Once lifting program ends, gradually step up my mileage until I'm running 20+ miles a week - all at comfortable speeds, just so I can get a feel of the road again. Continue lifting 2-3 days a week, if only to maintain my completely ridiculous new beach body. This should take me to the beginning of September.

Step 4.) GET IT. Which is to say, start the super-secret training plan I have to completely shatter last year's (slightly miserable) performance at the annual Thanksgiving 5k.

Step 5.) Win 5k, become symbol of human perfection, smile and make everyone in the area swoon, sign infantile foreheads, etc etc etc.

It's a good plan, no? I know you're impressed. Don't try to pretend that you're not quietly scribbling down every step of my plan, hoping to make it your own and challenge my greatness. BUT YOU WON'T. Because as much as I as sometimes blither about how my life sucks, I'm also now a smidgen obsessed with becoming better than I was - at least physically. And I will beat you (with a smile, though!).

So, there's a less INTENSE-FEEL-MY-WRATH update for you. I'll try to be good and actually keep posting, but we'll see.

Until next time!