Last week was not a good week. I missed most of my scheduled workouts, I didn't eat well...etc. 

This past week was tough. I started out the challenge strong and completed 20 each of the 100 required situps and pushups, as well as the first two sessions of Week 3 for the C25k. However, I hit a bit of a stumbling block by catching a virus that kept me sick the remainder of the week. 

So, this week saw the start of Lent, and though I'm not Catholic, I decided it was a great time to renew my resolve to continue running and getting healthy. 

On Valentine's Day we all seem to focus on those we love, but too often we don't focus on ourselves.  

UGH...isn't it frustrating to get rolling on something only to be stopped in your tracks!! 

Saturday, I truly felt like a runner for the first time ever. I leveled up on the C25k program and managed to increase my walking and running pace to 3.5/4.2 on the treadmill (respectively).  It felt amazing. 

I managed to do 20 minutes on the elliptical, even though I had to stop and rest a few times. It felt really good to accomplish something that I wouldn't have dreamed about doing a year ago! 

Well, I finally settled on a new training program and decided to give Cool Running's  "Couch 2 5k" program a try. 

Happy #MusicMonday folks! A trending topic on Twitter, I periodically share my current playlist. I'm gearing up for two big races in March - One being the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach (March 21) and Richmond VA's Monument Avenue 10K (March 27). What did I get myself into? Definitely in the mind set by running 5+ miles per day and watching what I eat and drink! Can't do it without good music blasting from my iPod. Here's my current playlist:

Today is my best friend's birthday. I figure that's as good a day as any to get back on routine and break some habits that have creeped up again.  In May it will be a year since she and I started working on fitness and health goals together, using a private blog as our journal since we are in two different states. 

Thanks you for visiting!  I hope you will check back frequently for updates over the course of the next several months as I train to compete in and complete two marathons in 13 days in support of our good friend Dominic D’eramo’s battle against cancer.  Up until a few months ago, I was very much a regular guy with regular guy day to day issues.  Yes, I am an avid runner and sometimes marathoner which I realize may make me a bit more shall we say, “eccentric”  than most – but on the whole just your standard, run of the mill guy.  My wife Dawn and I live in Austin, TX with our spoiled dog Kayla who will make for good copy in the future I’m sure as she is always up to something – but we live our lives with little fanfare. 

One of my friends, and fellow running buddies, talked me into doing a workout outside yesterday. The high was in the low 30's, so I didn't expect much. Planning on walking, I got the urge to try running after our warm up. I found a spot on the side of the road and made myself continue to that point. Then I walked for a little bit to catch my breath and did the same thing. 

Well, it took longer than I thought, but I got back to the gym today. 

You've probably heard a couple of friends and maybe even said this yourself: 

Just a quick note to remind myself that I have not given up completely. Yes, the past month got out of control, what with cars being wrecked by snow plows and mothers ending up in hospitals with broken hips, but its time to look ahead and get back to it. 

Huge snow storm blanketed the mid-atlantic and northeast states this past weekend. I had the lovely pleasure spending my weekend in Washington, DC where we got over 16" of snow. Thank God our hotel had an awesome fitness center and spa. Shout out to VIDA FITNESS, you have a beautiful facility. Check them out and follow them on Twitter.

After a hiatus of three and a half weeks, I finally got to the gym today and did some running. The last couple of days I've wanted to go, but something always got in the way. I told my friend I felt like I had a little pop up message in my head...I was so determined to break out and get moving again. 

We're into the heart of the holiday season and you know what that means - company and family/friends holiday parties, more sweets and treats, and of course good times and memories. The only bad part is spending less time at the gym working all the holiday foods off.