Pets Love Pets

Walked 1.5 miles today to and from school and I'm embarrassed to say that was probably the most exercise I've had in the past week. I'm really missing Cowles Mountain and having a partner to work out with. I wish I had someone nearby in Orange County who was at the same level of fitness that I am and would want to go jogging with me. I'm now considering going to my school's gym, even though that still seems overwhelming at this point. I have a dread of working out in public without a friend to share my discomfort.

I can't even remember the last time I weighed myself but I'm really focused on feeling good physically and getting my body used to exercise rather than a number on a scale. I would, however, like to tone up my stomach, my hips, and my arms. I would also like to ultimately be in the 120-125 pound range, since that's a healthy weight for my body type.

Today I wore one of the new dresses I got in San Diego last week and yesterday I wore a shirt I got from the thrift store on Monday.

Today I also wore some new jewelry I had gotten at the 99 cent store. They're not exactly a matching set, but the necklace and earrings are really great in totally different ways.

I haven't been cooking my own food since I've been back to my apartment (unless putting a frozen burrito in the microwave counts as cooking). But I have a new crockpot waiting and after the goat taco I had the other day, I'm getting excited about the prospect of finding some I can cook.

Cowles Mountain 3

This morning I hiked Cowles Mountain for the third time in a month (and ever). I went the entire way without stopping for a break, but walked at a slower pace than before. I'm not sure which has provided a better workout: really pushing myself but then needing to take frequent recuperation breaks or keeping a consistent, albeit easy, pace with no stops.

I'm proud that, at the very least, I was able to keep a consistent pace, even through the steep parts, and I can definitely speed up as I get more physically acclimated to the exercise. Rob and I agreed that this was our best time yet, which we estimated was around 30 minutes (from base to peak). We couldn't tell for sure because we have given up trying to carry cell phones and neither of us had a watch.

Once I get a job, I think I'll invest in some shoes that are more suited to fitness activities. Most of the other people on the mountain are decked out in Nike and Adidas gear and I just have my chucks (fashionably coupled, here, with some old shorts I usually sleep in).

You got your motion control and dri-fit. And I don't give a sh*t!

Overall, this trip up the mountain was a lot easier for me than last time. And last time was a lot easier than the first time I went, which is when I thought I was going to collapse, pass out, and/or die. I did manage to capture this ye-olde-timey-looking picture of San Diego on my first trip, which was a good excuse to rest for a second.

This is what the view from Cowles Mountain must have looked like to Lewis and  Clark.

I'd like to be able to do some activity like climbing Cowles Mountain at least twice a week, but I've been looking around Orange County and there's nothing in that area with the same incline. I believe Cowles Mountain has an elevation gain of 900' in a mile and a half. None of the hills near my apartment seem to be anywhere near as steep. Plus, there are a lot of fees for going to places that actually do have good hikes, like the Cleveland National Forest and Chino Hills State Park. I guess I'll have to get comfortable doing some jogging instead.

Overall, the climb today was a good workout and I'm looking forward to the next chance I'll have to go back and ramp up my pace.