Day # 2 of class @ The Cooper Institute

Ok, so things are going well so far this week with this Personal Trainer certification course. Yesterday's lectures and material was doable, but I still have a bit to memorize before Friday's test.

Today should be slightly more challenging because we will be going over anatomy. But, even still I am feeling good about it.

Later today, we actually do some of the fitness assessments where we will be doing running, walking, strength & flexibility testing. Should be interesting.

I also got in a 3 mile tempo run last night & then did a short interval workout.

Ahhh.....in Dallas for the week.

So, I am here in Dallas right now -the night before- the start of my week-long Personal Training seminar at the Cooper Institute. I admit I am nervous about everything, especially the certification exam on Friday...but, I know that I will do well and pass the test. Plus, I gave God my worry & anxiety & I know He will carry it for me. My prayer is that He would enable me to absorb what I need to absorb and that I will retain all I need to.

Pics from Spring Break @ Grandpas!

Grandpa with Jonah & Ella


Me & my dad


Me & the kids in Rockefeller Center


Kids in front of the apple store


The train ride back to Grandpa's house

In the Big Apple

I'm away from the Austin area right now in New York visiting my dad. All is well & the kids are liking their time here -- talking with Grandpa & chasing the cats around.

I have taken a few days off from training to get things done and get here for our spring break. I did do a short run today (about 35 minutes) - slow pace, just to get my heart rate up a bit. And I will taking tomorrow off so that the kids & I can tour around the Big Apple. We'll be taking the train & probably a cab, so all of those new experiences will be great for the kids. I am hoping to do plenty of walking, too, to help tired them out. I promised them we would stop by FAO Schwartz to pick out a toy! They are psyched about that!

We are here until very late Saturday night (not getting back to our house until 1am!) and then Sunday I teach my Thursday class group from 2-4pm and then it is off to Dallas just one hour later at 5pm to do my Cooper Institute Personal Trainer seminar and certification exam.

I won't get back from Dallas until late Friday night, too. This is going to be a long week ahead!

Peace?

At our small group last night we talked about peace....and whether or not we all have this fruit of the Spirit. Now, of course there are times where we have peace & others times we don't. And that, by its very nature, is the problem. Our study pointed out how we automatically have access to God's peace when we accept Him into our hearts. The matter is not whether we have a constant source of peace, the matter is whether we choose to accept His peace and WALK in His peace. So, we looked at some of God's attributes -- what makes Him trustworthy & why we can have faith in Him and therefore, have access to an incredible levels of peace -- even in the midst of the storms of life.
I learned a lot last night & I am resolving to seek God more, trust Him more & give Him my worries. By doing this, I believe I can walk in a new level of peace that will ultimately glorify Him.

And now, switching gears...

I started my day today by taking Jonah to school and then working on my studying for the personal trainer certification. In fact, I should be doing more of that right now. But, I need a break. I am trying to absorb all that I need to, in order to go to Dallas in 2 weeks for the training and exam.

I also went to the gym & did my prescribed workout (my friend & triathlon coach, Rebekah, has written my triathlon training plan for this season). Today was a "long run" and 1/2 hour core & stretching. I did 6.2 miles on the treadmill (torture) and then lifted and did core & stretching. So far I am on target with my plan, but it will go out the window (well, not totally) while I am away in New York next week & then in Dallas the week after. But, I will do my best.

Looking ahead, this weekend is a night away for me & Matt. We have a wedding to attend in Houston & Angie will be coming to take care of the kids/house/dogs for us. She is such an awesome friend!!

I guess that is all for now. Later.

Today's stuff

So, I will be dropping Ella at preschool in a bit & then heading over to the gym for a swim workout. I have to do about 1200 meters and then I have a 5k tempo run planned at home. From there, Trish & Rebekah are coming over to study for the Cooper Institute personal trainer certification. Yes, I am in the process of studying to get certified. And, I am going to Dallas in less than 2 weeks to take the week-long training course and then to take the certification exam. I had been feeling anxious about all of that & this morning I finally prayed and gave it over to God. I am trusting Him to help me to absorb all the material and to pass the exam. I was feeling like it was almost a bit too much for me to accomplish in my own strength (which, it is!!). So, I am giving it to Him and allowing Him to carry me through this. Of course, this doesn't mean I am not studying -- no, in fact, I am trying my best to study hard and get it all learned!

So, that is my morning in a nut shell. Maybe I'll be back later to talk about the afternoon & evening.

Back at the blog-thing

Yup, I am back to this little thing called 'blogging'. I journal on occasion, just on my pc, about life, my daily workouts, and my daily nutrition. I do this mainly to help keep me on track for my fitness goals.

But, for now I think I want to take a full blown crack at blogging on a more regular basis. For mental clarity, for processing my thoughts, and for the purpose of being able to look back on my words and hopefully see growth in all areas of my life.

So, here I am. Ready to write and let things out, so to speak. And, if you are someone other than me reading this -- WELCOME. Welcome to my little world. My life and times. The story of Christina. The story of how I am choosing to live a life that honors God and my family on a daily basis.

Peace be with you....