Fun on the treadmill...

So...today was the first time I'd ever worked out at a hotel I'm staying at! There were a lot more people in the workout room than I thought there'd be. I guess I'm not the only nut in this hotel. I'd decided beforehand to use a treadmill to keep up with the jogging/running I've been doing..."on the road" with my wife. I chose the "speed interval" program on the treadmill not knowing for sure the pace I was keeping "on the road" each day. I found out that I'm faster "on the road" than I was on the treadmill. I realized this about half way into my workout. It was a great feeling knowing that the next time I get on a treadmill (tomorrow) I will be able to push myself closer to my "on the road" pace!

You know you are addicted when...

You know you are addicted to running and all the great exercise you are getting when...in preparation for an upcoming trip you...

...stake out the hotels web page to make sure they have a workout room.

...go to the grocery store to buy protein bars.

...pack your running shoes and workout close.

...buy a new iPhone sleeve because it's a pain to get the phone out of the old one.

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Seeing stars...

I was tired this morning...it's been a long week of reading, thinking, writing and revising. In and between all of that, Steph and I worked out 6 out of 7 days...including today's Spin class. I have to admit...I was a bit reluctant to get up and go this morning but I knew it was necessary...exercising has been THE KEY element in my quest to achieve one of my life goals...my Phd. I am quite positive that I'd be on the branch of a tree...ready to jump if it were not for the exercise routine we've established over the past 8 months. Saturday's Spin class is all about cardio...sprints, lots of hovering and standing ='s jogging and running...depending on how hard I push myself...which is hard! At the end of the session...with less than 10 minutes left...I started to see stars...proof that I was really pushing myself. I did not give up...I'm "in this" to get healthy...to balance my mind, body and spirit. So even though the "stars came out" I kept going...'til the end. As I finished the workout I thought...the stars "will come out" more often as the year progresses...school will be starting soon...my proposal class will be starting...and in and around all of that...I will be attempting to do my research and write my dissertation. The mere thought of it all makes me start to see stars. I refuse to stop and gaze at them though...when they come out, I will acknowledge them and pull from experiences like this morning...knowing that if I keep my head down and remain "in the game"...I will continue towards my goal.

Cicadas under the stars...

This morning's jog was eventful on many levels...we entered our 4th week of the Couch to 5K program...we matched a PR (personal record) for distance and...we were literally cheered on by a group of cicadas that situated themselves strategically along our route. At least...that's how I'm choosing to acknowledge their existence. A few of the cicadas watched and encouraged us quietly...unwilling to give up their voyeuristic position. Were they expecting other joggers at 5 in the morning? Many felt the urge to "get up" and "cheer" us on with their tymbals. One got so excited to see us that its movement and sound caused me to jump right out of my stride. It was a clear morning so a cluster of stars decided to join the cicadas-watching us from above. Unlike the cicadas, the stars were content to just watch Steph and I as we jogged--their silence a form of appreciation for what they were witnessing. The combination of cicadas and stars got me wondering whether or not professional or amateur runners (the women and men we see on TV...even Olympians) acknowledge or are influenced on any level by the crowd that gathers to watch them? Or...do they see us merely as cicadas...under the stars?

Perfect Pedal Strokes...

Our Cycling instructor likes to encourage us during the ride. "You can do it," "Don't give up," "Make sure your pedal strokes are perfect." I know why she does it...at least I think I do...she wants us to stay safe and get the most out of the ride. For some reason...I heard the call for perfect pedal strokes more this morning than anything else...to the point where it became a mantra for me...whether we were doing switchbacks (turns during a climb where you lead with your left or right foot)...or...while we were doing seated climbs...or when she told us to "release" and sprint...these 3 words...perfect pedal strokes...kept me focused...there was a moment late in the ride that I started thinking about stopping...I didn't mind you but the thought did occur to me that I could if I wanted to. What kept me going? What I'm finding with all of this cycling and jog/running is that a HUGE portion of the experience is MENTAL...which gets me thinking about how experiences like "this"...cycling, jogging/running...are great space...if you are willing to surrender to the experience...to re-wire your brain...re-wire it into believing that stopping is not an option...that what you are doing is good for you...that "this" is fun! When the instructor called for perfect pedal strokes...I found myself looking down at my feet...really focusing on pedaling through my heels...allowing myself to notice how "that" felt...up through my hamstring.

Words like "perfect pedal strokes" can be very motivating and this is getting me thinking about how well placed words/phrases can be motivating in other situations. Now...don't get me wrong...these words are not magical...there are many other variables in between the call for "perfect pedal strokes" and Tony looking down at his feet trying to define what that means. Several decisions need to be made both voluntary and involuntary. I just think it's interesting...I'm pretty sure that I latched on to "the call" because I am a perfectionist...I want to do things perfectly...so in this case...if you ask me to pedal perfectly...I'm going to try.

Ending with a haiku...in an attempt to pull it all together...

Cyclist's mind

calmed

By perfect pedal strokes

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Personal Records

Wednesday morning...continuing our Couch to 5K assault on the running world, we went for a great jog/run/walk and in the process...we reached a personal record in the 3 weeks we've participated...I know there will be days when we slip backwards but heck...doesn't that happen with everything...yoga, cycling, writing, teaching, friendships, marriage...life is full of slippage...there are days when we are better and days when we are not...the point is that we try!!! Post run yoga, a shower...and some breakfast...found myself spending some time reading on my ipad...the equivalent of reading the morning paper...only on my terms...the content I am interested in. In doing so, I came across a really interesting Digital Is...project on the NWP site about making...producing content...which is what I've been reading around relative to my research for the past few days...the impact of new (and old) media in classrooms...some really interesting linking and thinking happening in the video from David Gauntlett...led me to a book by Ivan Illich, Tools for Conviviality...if you're interested. I'd read Deschooling Society years ago while attempting to figure out what it was that I was passionate about relative to my research interests so it's interesting to me how he comes back into the fold...in this moment...through the very medium that I am interested in doing my research on...the circulation of ideas and knowledge via new media. His thinking about tools and their potential made me get the book and I'm sure I'll be able to use his thinking somewhere in my work. The whole concept of producing versus consuming is what motivated me to "get up" do a little freewriting then take a portion of my freewrite into this blogpost.

 

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Summer institute final blog post

I was a little hesitant to participate in this year's Summer Invitational. My dissertation proposal needs to be ready to defend by the end of August. I wasn't sure that my participating in the summer institute was going to allow me space to further my inquiry. Have I written as much as I could have during the past 12 days? No. I did do other things though. YES! I listened. I had conversations. I witnessed demonstrations that got me thinking about one aspect of my dissertation proposal--that being the circulation of ideas and knowledge both in and out of the classroom. Being in the same room for 12 days with educators that are as dedicated to the teaching of writing as I am is a very motivating experience. Your blog posts, your demonstrations, your inquiries into your own practice helped me see better how knowledge can circulate both inside and outside the classroom. I plan on taking these experiences back into my dissertation proposal writing. I thank each one of you for providing me this opportunity.