Running: Week three of the half-marathon training finished with a 6 mile run on Sunday. The program is going much smoother this time around, even with the extra day of running and attempts at pace setting. I find myself halfway through my long run before I think to look at the clock.

Climbing: Well, my climbing partner and I started the "Climb a Mile" in February challenge just for fun, openly saying "there is no way we will finish this, but let's see how far we can get for fun," and gosh darn it - we're both going to finish! Dianna will be done tonight because she had a stronger start than me, but I'll be done on Wednesday! We went from an average of 7 climbs a night, two nights a week to 28 climbs a night, three times a week! We are looking forward to incorporating more laps into our climbs, but also to adding in new routes - this challenge does not incentivize trying anything new or very hard, it's more about stamina.

Strength-Training: I am really happy with the benefits I am seeing by just doing this class once a week. It's has increased my core strength exponentially more than yoga ever did - greatly helping in climbing, as well as yoga. Most of all - squats and lunges? They make your ass look amazing!

Yoga: I need to get back to Kristin's low key but intense class for the spiritual well being (stupidly stayed out too late partying on Friday night and missed the class I wanted to go to with purplemb13), but the strength training class has definitely helped in the power yoga class I like to do Monday and Friday morning - those crazy push-ups and sit-ups don't seem so bad anymore. Actually, I should probably try head stands again...

Diet: I've plateaued a little again at 145, but with less variance on a day-to-day basis, so I'm very happy with that. I'm back in my skinny jeans and things just fit better. Mostly though, I'm seeing a real effect on my running by adjusting my diet to my training. That was one element I didn't incorporate last time, but by being more careful about the carbs, protein, and fat that I eat, I definitely have more energy on my runs and I am more efficiently building more muscle (I was surprised last year that I didn't seem to build more muscle, but now I see I wasn't eating what my body needed to do that). It's also helped me save money because you really have to plan out your week, especially breakfast and snack wise, if you want to have good fuel and muscle building options available.

One thing that has definitely returned from training last year - the need for more sleep than I am used to - I have to start adjusting for that because it makes getting up for 6AM yoga hard when I used to be able to go to bed at 11 and still get up for that.

Last night we finally had some friends over! (Unpacking has reached near completion - we just need to get this boxspring out of the living room.)

Greg and his girlfriend Ellyn came over for Steak with Swiss Chard followed by Molten Chocolate Cake. It was nice to catch up with Greg and get to know Ellyn better - they are definitely a cute couple.

After they left we relaxed with some chamomile tea and Stewart/Colbert and then I got myself to bed early (Nick stayed up working on an important presentation this Friday), and got up at 5:30 for 6AM yoga.

I think I could really get behind morning yoga. I've usually only done yoga in the afternoon, but it is really nice to be so aware of your body first thing in the morning. This class was "Alignment Yoga" and was a nice pace, adjustments by the instructor, and a nice variety of poses. I ran 6K last night before dinner, so it was just the right activity for stretching out those muscles without overdoing it. I'll be climbing tonight too :)

OK - time to get dressed - I have a dissertating date with Clark!