I've had better days (but it was still pretty good)

It wasn't the prettiest of returns but at least I came back.  Starting a new running schedule felt good last night.  I was a little slower and yea I did have to walk but after 3 miles I felt pretty damn good considering it was 89 out and I hadn't run in almost 2 months.  The warmest temperature I'd run in up until now was only in the upper 70's with little humidity.  All things considered, it was a major success.  I'm back at it and with only a 5 lb gain, I'm really not too far off of being right back where I left off.  The next step is to officially sign up for the 1/2 marathon I want to run and then I'll have no excuses.

Back in the Saddle Again

Well, I've been gone for almost 2 months now but starting today, I'm back.  I have not been running or eating very well but that is going to change.  A big reason behind it has been the girl I've been seeing.  I can't get enough of her and so I spend a lot of my time with her.  Another big reason has been some house projects that I've been spending all my other time outside of work on.  But the plan was to run the Whistlestop half marathon on October 15th and starting today is my 12 week program to train for it.  I was at the point of running 11 miles before and I know I can do it again.  The best part is my girlfriend and best friend will be running it as well so there will be plenty of motivation.  I may not be posting as much as I was before I quit but I'll be around.  I'm really hoping to carry this running stint all the way through the winter into next spring as winter is typically a bad weight gaining time of year for me.  I'm gained a little bit of weight but still feel good about my weight loss up til this point.  This journey will be about running a half marathon until October and the weight loss will be an added bonus.  I've gained a different perspective and my happiness and now derived more from my friends and girlfriend than the way I look.  I want to be healthy to be able to do more and be with them longer and I know the rest will fall into place. 

I have done something very healthy for myself in the last month that has made things a little more difficult on the food front.  I used to be a chewing tobacco user and on June 23rd I quit and haven't had one since.  I really don't miss it and most if not all of the cravings are gone, but I do seem to have more of an appetite than before.  I believe its is just as much related to the lack of exercise but in the end quit tobacco will be 1 million times better for me than just about any other decision I've made up until now and soon it will be a long distant memory.