As the time for departure gets closer, I get more excited. Unfortunately I haven’t done much since my last post in preparation, however. I stopped running as my schedule got all messed up. And I won’t start again until after the TeenPact National Convention. After that, I plan to start weight lifting again in addition to running and hiking.
I bought a daypack. It is the REI Lookout model, and seems alright. I hiked for a couple hours at McIntosh with 18 pounds in it, and my shoulders hurt some. But I suppose they are going to no matter what pack I have. I also bought a headlamp that I really like.
I ordered some water shoes, and another hydration bladder. Hopefully the shoes will fit. I would have bought them at the store last time I went, but all the shoe people were busy helping other customers and I got tired of waiting around.
I don’t know if I will end up getting a part time job or not. We shall see. I don’t really need the money.
I decided to finally do a little work on making this site look halfway decent. I got tired of seeing my model bridge logo and nav bar on this website.
Graduation is an interesting thing. As a homeschooler, what grade I was “in” never meant much. I could be “ahead” or “behind” in any given subject depending on my abilities. Mom would always find something for me to do.
The night before my graduation party I went to a “real” high school graduation ceremony. From that experience, I realized that this is a big deal to most people. I liked my graduation much better than what I saw at the high school. The reasons fall back to the basic advantages of homeschooling. I got a custom, personal, and very relaxed ceremony.
I worked most of my senior year, so graduating didn’t change much in my daily schedule. And really, I did have a light school load this past year. My major class was American History, which I did enjoy. History is a subject I have always liked, especially G.A. Henty style.
What made my graduation special was the atmosphere, which was created by the people there. Pretty much all my good friends and their families were present. I also had an amazing surprise. One friend I thought was in South Korea showed up, Jonathan S. That made my week.
I ended up playing my recital song on the violin at mom’s request. Interestingly, I did a much better job than at my recital which was just a few hours previous. I wish it had been recorded, but oh well.
Laptop purchased and almost ready. Hiking boots purchased and beginning the break-in period. I have begun to look at water shoes and day packs.
I made the major step today. I ran a mile in 7:07. I almost felt like throwing up afterward, but not quite. Plus, my shins didn’t hurt as much. They still hurt, but I think the pain is subsiding. This week I will add hiking and pushups and situps on my off days.
Let’s see, only about $2500 to go. After this week of work, it will be $2000.
“Money is eternal, like the Wall Street Journal,
Yes they’re going to make him happy someday.”
~Steve Taylor: “What You Gonna Do When Your Number’s Up?”
I have been running now for about a month. My shins still hurt during training, though hopefully that will change in the next couple weeks. I am able to run 4/7ths of a mile straight in just under 4 minutes. Then I walk for another 7th. After the walk, I alternate running/walking 1/7 of a mile. The first mile takes me about 9 minutes. That is running for 5/7 and walking the remaining 2/7ths. Right now, I only train for 21 minutes, and I am not quite sure the total distance covered. However, I know I can push myself harder. I just have been wimping out when the going gets tougher.
This week my goal is to run 5/7 consecutively. By the end of the month I want to be able to run a mile in under 7 minutes. By August, I want to run 3 miles.
I am slowly accumulating gear. I have an army duffel bag, waterproof pants, running shoes, hiking boots, socks, and polypro’s. I don’t think I will buy a sleeping bag or packs down here. Rather I will wait to buy those items up in Alberta when I won’t have to bother with lugging them around threw airports.
I am working on the finances. I have $7500 in my bank account. I need to make that $10,000 (minus gear I already buy) by August.
Prairie | Garrett May 28, 2007 | 
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