It’s hot and I’ve been “busy”. You know, not really busy. All of my in this era is my own, so it’s hard to say in earnest that I’m busy. I am making a point of packing my hours pretty tightly, though. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s hard not to feel guilty about not working, even though when I check in with others or even seriously evaluate things for myself, it sure does seem like I’ve earned it. But also, I think a little guilt or something of that nature is likely good for me as I try to pursue, you now, all of this.
Follow-ups: The big one is on the school progress, which there isn’t much of, so I think we’ll skip this week’s Academic section and just sum things up here.
In the next week(ish), I’ll be taking those placement tests. I finally sat down and read up on what the tests are and how they go. I decided that, especially given that the first day of school is fast approaching, I should just take the tests already. Two key factors on top of timing, one is that it turns out I can retake the tests, which is great news. The other is that there are options for different types of tests, including that I can take them at the actual school, which is just like 20 minutes away in heavy traffic, or remotely. I’m opting to take the available remote options for both Math and English for my first go ’round, and hopefully I don’t need a second for either. If I do, then I don’t know. Might be good to go in person.
The Math test seems to be on demand, so I’m planning to take it tomorrow or Friday, assuming I feel pretty good about my ongoing Precalc review. The English test needs scheduling, so I’ve lined mine up for Tuesday. That’ll give me the rest of this week and Monday to get ready. I feel pretty good about my writing in general, but I have a few critical weak points that I’ll admit give me the jitters.
Once that’s done, well… I guess we’ll see where things are. I really don’t want to start below Calc I, that’s the real thing making me nervous. English wise, I’m warming to redoing that. Especially if it either includes or is specifically for Science/Tech programs. I haven’t checked if there is one, but I’ll do that once the tests are in. The idea of getting practice writing academically actually seems kinda smart. I’d still love to skip it, but we’ll see. Maybe I work on testing out of that one. Though it might be more worth my while to try and CLEP out of some electives. But I’m really putting that cart before the horse, so let’s move on.
Health/Fitness: I’ve managed to keep my weight in the lower end of the 240s, which is a win on its own. I think I might have tipped, briefly, down into the high 230s, but I’m not going to count it. What I am, however, going to count is that I’m back to finishing a full mile without having to stop or slow to a walk. A full mile! In fact, I’ve done it three times this week, and it’s only Wednesday. That’s each day, in case you weren’t paying attention.
I’ve also been getting in a lot more regular cross training, mostly strength exercises. But the calisthenics have been working their way in, most notably those dang burpees. Hokie smokies, them things are a rough time. I’m not even hittin’ that hard, just like, 10 every other day. I’ll have to start pushing it more, though. That’s what happened with my running, which is a thought I guess I didn’t finish. I should probably rewrite this section to tidy the thought up, but it’s too hot. Anyway, during that balls-hot previous week, where it got up over 100 F for a couple days in a row, I got out there and made it happen..
I tend to end my slightly-under 4 mile walk with a jog, not every walk, but at least a few times a week. I tend to start about a mile out from getting home, and usually have to slow to a walk a few times. I’ve been starting much further back for a little while and yesterday, I gave tried to keep track of things as I did. My fitness tracker clocks the full route at about 3.9 miles. I started my run when I was about 2.2 miles in and didn’t slow to a run until a little over 3.35 miles. I know these things aren’t perfectly accurate, but it’s been pretty consistent and for my purposes, I think it’s close enough.
That first extended run was pretty rough, but today’s actually felt kinda good. And that really rocked.
Oh, and my shoulders are feeling a lot better, too! When was the last time I brought that up, last year, maybe? Well, the shoulders have continued to be a problem. Still are. But they are much better. I can almost get back into correct form when trying to do barbell squats. And that’s pretty dope, too.
Next Time: I guess I’ll talk about how things went. Here’s to hoping. Maybe I’ll check in on that app and various other pursuits. Politics, if I’m not too annoyed. Which I am, so maybe not. Anyway, that’s good for today. Keep it easy, y’all.