Today was a tough tempo: 2 warmup, 6 at current Half pace, 2 cooldown. Happily, I hit the tempo miles right on the nose (7:35s) and while it wasn’t exactly a pleasurable experience (are tempos ever?) it was 55 degrees outside which meant shorts and shortsleeves – a lovely treat after the winter we’ve had.

The pushups challenge entered scary territory this week. Yesterday’s sets were 20, 20, 25, 20 and 28+ (did 31) with 90 seconds between. By the time I finished I was panting.

I’m so glad it’s becoming a habit though, I’m seeing new muscle in places I never expected to be affected (my obliques are looking downright serious now). So if you want a simple way to improve the ole bod and gain some strength in a short amount of time, thumbs up to pushups.

Switching channels once again…
Many moons ago, maybe close to a year now, I broke a decades-long Diet Dr. Pepper habit. I probably went several years without ever drinking a glass of plain water, so addicted to the sweet fuzzy stuff was I.

Last Sunday, I was feeling celebratory and bought a big bottle of the Pepper for old times sake. As expected, 2 days later I’d drained it empty. No self-control, it’s embarrassing. But I’m convinced they put something evil in those large bottles of brown stuff because yesterday, with none left in the fridge and me sitting at my computer, I spontaneously started salivating, imagining hundreds of tiny syrupy sweet bubbles exploding in my mouth – I could actually taste it.

We’re talking serious, drug-type jonesing, the kind that gets you a Lifetime TV “based on facts” movie where the star (Valerie Bertinelli) ends up wild-eyed, disheveled and skanky in a seedy hotel room, selling her body for…soda pop? There’d be an accompanying Public Announcement spot: “Diet Soda, the Gateway Drink. It starts with a sip, then a glug, then suddenly you’re sucking down handfuls of Jelly Bellys and Mike & Ikes, your world spinning dangerously out of control.”

Must.not.let.this.happen.

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