The Phantom Calls

Well the chicken soup worked! I woke up feeling much better than I have in days. I decided to try the elliptical. Wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make it the full mile but I was determined to give it my all. I read somewhere that it’s good to have a cup of Oolong tea before you exercise because it boosts your metabolism. It’s Saturday and I had more time than normal so I decided to try it. I brewed myself a nice cup of tea with honey and while it brewed and while I sipped I read some more of my friend Terri Farley’s book, The Phantom Stallion. She wrote 27 of them! I’m reading the first one. They’re kid’s books, but since I write kid’s books I also read kid’s books. It’s an amazing book and I highly recommend it, especially if you have young girls who like horses or just want to read a story with a strong female lead character. You know a book is good if when you’re not reading it, you can close your eyes and still see it. As I’m chugging away on my elliptical I often close my eyes and listen to Jimmy crooning away. Today, as I closed my eyes Jimmy had competition. I kept hearing the neigh of the wild mustang. I could see him flying across the Nevada flat lands. I’m not even a horse person. Oh, I love to watch them, they’re beautiful animals, but I was never one of those kids who wanted a pony for Christmas. As I neared the .5 mile marker on my elliptical I knew I’d have the energy to go the full mile. I hit the full mile and kept going. The 1.5 point approached and I thought about stopping, but I closed my eyes and heard that Phantom Stallion calling me. I kept going. As I hit the 1.8 I tried to imagine myself riding on the beautiful horse with mane flying, his and mine. What does it matter that my doo is too short to fly and I don’t have the first clue about how to ride a wild mustang? I hit the 2 miles and felt a little like I’d fallen off that horse and been dragged for a few miles, but I did it. I was hot and sweaty and tired. But I did it! Thanks for the encouragement Phantom and Terri!

Saturday – Exercise – 40 Minutes on the elliptical; 2 miles (YAY ME!!)

• Breakfast – An orange, 1 cup of oolong tea with honey.
• AM Snack – Too busy
• Lunch – bowl of refried beans and rice with 10 tortilla chips; and a rice and veggie stuffed grape leaf (I love Costco!)
• PM Snack – 10 little carrots and another stuffed grape leaf
• Dinner – Another stuffed grape leaf (they’re so yummy) and a large loaded salad.