I’ve had this blog for about 4 years now and this is the first real lapse I’ve had in updates since I started. I would use the worn excuse that I’ve been super-busy, but that is not the real reason for a lack of updates. I’ve just been kinda down and lazy… procrastination and depression can pretty much kill a blog.
All that being said, there are quite a few updates to provide for those of you who don’t follow me on Facebook or Twitter. These are updates of my previous Announcements post.
Update #1
Amy and I still have not rejoined Weight-Watchers. We’re trying on my own, but it is very hard. My penchant for sweets is a direct contributor to the difficulties. That being said, in the last couple of months, I’ve still lost about 5 pounds. We still weigh-in regularly on our Wii-Fit and try to adjust accordingly.
Update #2
I’m really falling in love with the new work location. However, our work has now gone into “panic mode” as we are less than a month away from one of our Texas divisions switching to a new billing system. This means that our job (as the Reports Development team) is to convert all existing reporting to the new system in time for the conversion. This will mean a lot of overtime (unpaid as usual in my field) and this will have some direct effects on my marathon training as noted below.
Update #3
Amy and I have been doing a poor job of eating more at home and less out. I’m not too happy about that and am working on setting up some personal rules to cut down. I have completely reduced the amount of sodas I consume and need to eliminate them altogether.
Update #4
Since I’ve taken up the marathon training, I’ve only missed two workouts so I have been running three times a week (except for this past week where I missed once because of Update #2 and once because of Update #5). The heat has made for some difficult long runs on Sundays, but otherwise, I’m doing well and have stuck to it as much as possible.
Update #5
Although I’ve been on allopurinol to control my gout, I have had one more attack recently (which resulted in missing one training run). I still consider that a win situation as it did not last long and I’m certain the frequency or severity would have been much greater otherwise. Cutting back on sodas and sweets will make a big difference.
Update #6
I am now four months away from my first marathon. Though I have been training hard, my speed has not improved much and my concern is that it will take much longer than five hours to complete it (which is my goal). In the meantime, I have a few more events I’m scheduled (and paid) to participate in:
- Heels and Hills and Him Half Marathon in Irving TX on September 27th. It turns out that this particular weekend would be a 13 mile run according to my marathon training program. So I decided to turn it into participating in this event. Amy actually plans on doing the 5K run as well that day along with her sister. Another couple of friends will do the 5K that day as their first ever 5K event.
- Turkey Trot 8 Mile run on November 26th. My friend, Brent, and I had agreed last year to do the 8 Mile run instead of the 5K (mostly because it was timed and because it was much less crowded).
Another update about this marathon training is that I now have a running partner, DJ. He wants to run with me each week to help him lose weight and, perhaps, get back in shape to do marathons again. He has completed 3 marathons (one of which is the Dallas White Rock marathon that I’m doing in December) and has been giving me tips and anecdotes of his experiences.
So far, we’ve run together and after the first few weeks, he now keeps up with me for our weekly long run. We each do our own thing during the week. After our long run, we usually hang out at a coffeehouse (either Starbucks or a local place called Roots Coffeehouse) and I’ll have a smoothie while he has his first coffee of the day.
I really have to say I don’t think I’d have done so well on my long runs without him there for encouragement and companionship. We’ve even had dinner out with the spouses a few times just so we all know each other and it’s a friendship I hope to keep for a long time.