Day 15

This morning was my two-week weigh-in.  It's hard to believe the challenge is over halfway complete, and the results have been undeniable already.  My current weight is 160 lbs., which is more than I've ever weighed in my life.  I've gotten up early to pray every morning so far, and that's a wonderful change as well.  There's also a marked improvement in my Spanish, and I've hit the point where my mind is starting to translate things on its own, without much in the way of intention.  I remember hitting that point when I learned to type, with the result that typing is as comfortable as speaking English for me now.  That's the plan for the Spanish as well.

Today's triathlon training was ramped up over last week's.  I jogged about 1250m, up 25% from last week; and I biked 5k, up 67% from last week.  I still only did 250m of swimming, because my arms still aren't strong enough to handle more than about 100m without a brief rest.  I walked out of the gym sore and the slightest bit faint, which is an indication that the workout did what I wanted it to.

Today's prayer country is India.  With all the focus the Christian community has placed on Muslim extremists (and often placed unfairly on the shoulders of non-extreme Muslims), the plight of those facing persecution from other religious and ideological extremists has been largely forgotten.  In India, Hindu extremists have been known to attack Christians.  Several people were even arrested last year for converting to Christianity without a permit.

Taken two weeks ago

Not much to look at, I know,
but notice the disappearance
of the protruding ribs and
collarbone.  Slight improvement
in the arms, and the sudden
appearance of pectorals.
I also appear to have gotten
somewhat taller ;-p