On the Run: fitness made simple

Why is it that when you’re having fun, time passes by so quickly? The longest summer  of my life was after 3rd year in college when I was working full-time and preparing for my MCAT. WORST. SUMMER. EVER. This year, it’s definitely going by too fast. I’m using this summer to hone my skills, try new things, and further my 2012 Resolutions! My main activities are, Public Speaking, Jazz dance, Yoga, working out, and music. 

Professional Development: Public speaking is SO importantly. I’m taking a communications course at a local community college, and we’re learning techniques and ways to organize our speeches. I haven’t been rehearsing my speeches as much as I should, but my class and professor always compliment my presentation. They like my energy and find me pretty clear. Their only criticism is that I have to “hammer home” my thesis and heavily emphasize it for clarity. This guy (who was 2 grades below me at my high school) in my class was like, “Good job Geraldine, I gave you a 49/50!” I felt bad because I think I gave him a 39? He even draws A+ lightbulbs on my note pages…ANYHOW, it’s fun to see other people’s speeches too, some are very inspiring. And it’s also inspiring to see people improve. I plan to use public speaking skills frequently in medical school and in my career, so that’s why I’m using this summer to gain more experience. 

Extracurricular Develpment: Jazz is so much fun! The music, the sassiest, the energy…it’s just a great way to show personality and style. It’s only my second dance class and I’ve never had any formal training in the art, but even if I’m not a great dancer, I’m still enjoying learning the form and movements. I LOVE doing the isolation exercises. It’s great for the your neck and hips.

Also, I’m taking yoga this summer, and I like my new instructor A LOT better than my Spring instructor. She makes new routines and introduces at least 1 new pose a class. And, she has a better strength component than my last teacher (focused on flexibility mostly). I’m personally working on arm balances, focusing my gaze upwards, big toe pose, and pigeon. 

Music, especially piano (and not singing) is a major part of my life, and I’m scared that I won’t have much time to practice after this summer…until forever! I’ve really been trying to take advantage of my year before medical school to learn new songs and to practice my technique. I just finished memorizing a Bach prelude! It was pretty difficult. 

ART! I’ve finished a collage & acrylic piece and starting another Buddha inspired painting for my mom. 

Health & fitness: My main goal has been to stay on track with my marathon training and to not get injured. Last January, I injured my plantar fascia (arch of your foot) after my 17 mile run. However, I’ve been able to complete up to 20 miles now! It’s because I’ve been focusing on running steady instead of running as fast as I could. I don’t run faster than the pace I intend to run my marathon. For strength and high intensity workouts, I do a lot of hills. All my runs have at least 1 major hill. Once a week, I’ll do an intense hill session. Other than that, I’ve been doing minor body weight strength training and cross training through my week. I’m starting swimming lessons soon because I actually can only swim freestyle comfortably. I’ve always been going on hikes with my mom a few times a week so we gets more exercise. 

MISC: OH and I teamed up with 2 other girls from my medical school class and we got our apartment!!! My window faces a wall (like 3 feet away). Yeah, not so sure how I’m going to make it pleasant…any ideas?

How have you been spending your summer? Half a year has gone by; remember those 2012 Resolutions? 

P.S. Pinned posts at the top of my dash are so annoying!!!!