Resolved

Let's see, it's only Jan 22, so now would probably be a good time to actually put in print a couple of my new year's resolutions. The most life altering is that I am experimenting with vegetarianism (I'm not even sure if I spelled that right). Those of you who know me understand that no one likes a Moe's burrito or Wild Wing chicken wings more than me. I mean, I've basically lived off of meat alone for 32 years, so "Why the change?" Well, I read a book titled The China Study. It discusses the reasons why people in rural China all live to be like 100 years old. They have extremely low incidents of cancer and virtually no heart disease.

The book promotes a strictly vegan lifestyle, which I just couldn't see myself doing for any amount of time. So instead, I just wanted to see if I can do without meat for a month. If it works out, I'll see about going longer. So far, it really hasn't been that bad. I do find myself eating more cheese than I have in the past. But I haven't had too many cravings for a steak or chicken wings. I haven't eaten meat since Jan 2nd, so I'm coming up on a month. I've also found that it is cheaper when you go to a place like McDonald's. I can get 2 side salads and a water and be out of there in less than $3. My running doesn't seem to be suffering either. I've lost 5 pounds and I think I saw some semblance of an abdominal muscle in the mirror the other day.

My other new year's resolution is to run 800 miles in 2009. That's just slightly over 15 miles a week. That doesn't seem that bad, but you always have those "sick" weeks where no running is done. So far, I've done OK, averaging over 15 miles for the first 3 weeks of the year. If I can figure out how to set up one of those pace bunnies that I've seen on other sites, I'll add one here.

Regarding running, nearly all of my 2009 runs this year have occured on the treadmill at Total Fitness in Easley. Since I am not working at the moment (future post), I've gotten in the habit of going straight to the gym after dropping off the kids in the morning. For those wondering, I don't just drop the kids at day care and then lounge around all day. I am enrolled full time in a master's program at Clemson. I am looking so forward to getting back out when its nice again. I know I'm a wimp, but I just can't take the cold when I'm running.

I am starting to get the marathon itch again. I've gone as far as looking at some prospective races on marathonguide.com. Nothing set yet, I would like to do one in late summer, but its so hot down here that I would probably have to travel pretty far for that. I'll try to start posting again on a more frequent basis. Until then...