Hey, now,
el' cirriped 
. Thanks for the encouragement. Thing is, I've been going through this for a while now, and I've gone through all those thoughts and options, back and forth... I've stayed WAY too long for the reasons you've stated and others.
Like I wrote, I should have stopped belts ago...or, not have started as all, as my doc would say. It is toodangerous for me to be doing this and I've been taking quite a risk. The Grand Master does not know what is exactly wrong with my neck aside from knowing I was in an accident years ago in which I hurt my neck. Not a good idea that I kept it from him, I know...
As far as half-assing it, yea, it's just not me

. I don't want a belt if I don't truly deserve it. I work hard and expect to be passed only if I've mastered my current level. I would be peeved and feel insulted and disrespected if I was "just passed." Luckily, the studio I attend does not just move you along if you've put in the time like SO many martial arts schools do; they make sure you know it very well, even if not "mastered" it, or you do not pass. I've seen lots of people fail their tests. But I'd have it no other way

.
As far as modifying, I could; but, I respect the arts too much to "earn" a belt and not really deserve it (they would modify my tests, which to me would mean "dumb it down" or make it easier). I've seen people with black belts who could be whooped by lower belts who have mastered their level. I'm not this stubborn with everything -- honest

. Anyway, that's how it is. I'll look into something else, though, because I love it. I've always wanted to fence; so maybe I'll try that, I don't know. I'd have to really strengthen my arms and shoulders -- my weakest areas!
Okay, more info than you wanted to know
Thanks for your thoughts; I appreciate any and all types of input -- or just stopping by -- from others in my log
_________________
Thursday, March 9
Rest
------------------
Food Log:
Meal #1: Green smoothie - butter lettuce, bok choy, kale, mache; Meyer lemons; stevia; 1 TB Maca; 1 TB Flax
seeds; 1/2 tsp Borage oil
Meal #2: Fruit Meal: Apples
Meal #3: 1 head Romaine lettuce, 1 head Butter lettuce, 1 head Green Leaf lettuce; onions; mushrooms; cucumber; broccoli; homemade Brazil nut dressing
Meal #4: Marinated Mushrooms; Garlic; Garbanzo-Miso Sauce
______________________
Notes: Could have worked out today -- energy was good; but I know I would be overtraining.
________________________
Friday, March 10
6-mile run
Triceps
--------------------------------
Food Log:
Meal #1: Green Smoothie - Kale, Mache, Bok Choy; Cranberries, Meyer lemons; stevia; 1 TB Maca; 1 TB Flax Seeds; 1/2 tsp Borage Oil
Meal #2: Two heads Butter lettuce, one bag of Romaine; cauliflower; zucchini; cucumber; onion; homemade Tomato Sesame-Hemp dressing
Meal #3: Fruit Meal - Apples
Meal #4: Snack - raw Rice protein
_____________________
Notes: AWEsome run! I got to run in the rain today! Yay! *Love* that. Air was coldish and clean, breathing was easy...the crisp air and feel of the drops is as invigorating as the sun is on 74-degrees-perfect days. It was a
steady, but light rain...absolutely beautiful...gray and cool; just like I like it. One of my favorite things in the whole wide world! Bit of a downpour just as I finished

. Is there anything more romantic?
Add to that a great, fluid, steady pace, some hills and I was on runners' high ;D No better way to start the day, I say.
I used the 15# weights (15# each, so 30# total) for shoulders today; normally, I use the 10# weights (20# total weight). I couldn't do as many lifts, but it feels good to increase the weight. I still use the 10# weights when I'm lifting as I cycle; 30# would be too much for now. Weight training is still scattered for me; still no
real routine...
Found some vegan
athletic Earth Shoes!!! Been looking for
more-vegan running shoes for ages. I also know that Earth Shoes are awesome, so far as comfort and beneficial for feet and spine; I expect and hope this athletic model has been developed for athletic excellence. Sure hope they can take a pounding. They also have the athletic
men's!
Been using New Balance past few years, and I've had mostly good experiences except for a couple of styles that
killed my feet! However, Saucony has always been my first choice; I'm back to them currently. My performance is always better on them and this time is no exception! I hope the Earth Shoes measure up...
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Saturday, March 10
5 Tibetan Rites (keep forgetting to note these! I do them every a.m.)
40-minute cycle (interval HIIT), a.m.
Shoulders
Triceps
15-minute cycle, p.m.
---------------------------------
Food Log:
Meal #1: Green Smoothie - Kale, Bok Choy, Mache; Grapefruit; stevia; 1 TB Maca; 1 TB Flax seeds; 1/2 tsp Borage Oil
Meal #2: Raw "Noodles" in Miso Broth with Maitake and Portabello Mushrooms
Meal # 3: Apples
________________
Notes: Another really good ride. I did an even tougher interval program, with the 1-minute intensity increases (up 2 levels) while weightlifting: I used the 10# weights (20# total) @ 8X for tricep lifts followed by 10X for shoulder lifts. Then 1-minute no weights, down to starting level. It was tougher because my starting/rest level is now increased one level from previous rides. I did this for 30-minutes straight. Breathing hard; got my pulse up.
This lifting while cycling is doing me good. Hope I don't burn on it! I have leg and wrist weights, but I don't run with them; in my opinion, running with weights is ridiculously dangerous and no-doubt-about-it damaging to the body. Doing it with the cycle, though, is bank.
Didn't eat much today; not so hungry. Going to try this [url=http://www.rawfood.com/cgi-bin/order/index.cgi?id=97091494196&d=single&item_id=1017&m=home]raw
protein powder[/url]. It looks good; but it's pretty expensive. I like the idea of brazil nut protein. Considering I don't take protein powders often, I'm not going to sweat it; however, if it turns out to be some potent addition to add to my magical [url=http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1694&start=13]green
witchypoo elixirs[/url], then it will be worth it ;D
Besides, I always have to try new stuff!
I currently use hemp protein powders
once in a while, or raw rice. The rice I use only because I like the taste, plain! I certainly don't need any protein supplement with all the protein I get from the greens I eat.
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Sunday, March 12
6-mile run
----------------
Food Log:
Meal #1: Green Smoothie - Kale, Bok Choy, Mache; blueberries, Meyer Lemons; stevia; 1 TB Maca; 1 TB Flax Seeds; 1/2 tsp Borage Oil.
Meal #2: 2 heads of Romaine lettuce, 1 back of Romaine; cauliflower; onions; bell peppers; mushrooms; cucumber; Summer squash; homemade Macadamia-Walnut dressing
Meal #3: Apples
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Notes: Yeeow! Another incredible

! Major adrenaline. I was flying! No kites, here; it was high as a

!
Very chilly morning; but bright and perfect for running. Sore under my arms in the lats area; my triceps are somewhat sore from yesterday..
Ran very good pace; it's picked up quite a bit. Didn't do any structured program today; but I did run at 90-100% max as long as I could sustain it throughout the run: I felt
that good.
Gotta start doing more

and

, I think.
In the spirit of my curiosity and love of experimenting, I've started an internal
cleansing program yesterday. What can it hurt? My smoothies, I'm sure,
more than clean me out regularly as a side benefit, and I already consume a lot of other fiber; but I will report
anything notable that occurs, or at the end of the one-month program.
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Monday, March 13
Rest
-----------
Food Log:
Meal #1: Green Smoothie (@60 oz.) - Kale, Parsley; Meyer Lemon, 4 Strawberries; Stevia; 1 TB Flax Seeds, 1/2 tsp Borage Oil
Meal #2: 3 bags Romaine; Micro-Greens; onions; Mushrooms; Cucumber; homemade whole Coconut-Red Bell Dressing
Meal #3: Apples
Meal #4: raw Rice Protein
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Notes: Triceps and lats are much more sore today! That took a while...Feels good. I wonder why my shoulders aren't sore.
For some reason, I awoke way too early and couldn't get back to sleep. I felt fine, but knew I shouldn't work out like that; and I shouldn't anyway, I need the day off. Still struggling a bit with cutting back; I want to run everyday! Looking forward to a good cycle tomorrow (or run?).
My Green Smoothie was really yummy. I didn't think that only kale and parsley would be good, but it was super good. The strawberry came through strong with only 4; the lemons always enhance the flavor of the fruit in these.