I can run, but I can’t hide

Last year I met my goal of running 572 miles and my late additional goal of biking the same distance plus various other machine, free weight and core exercises that were not consistent. This year, I will up the goals to 624 each, adding one more mile per week.  I run mostly on a treadmill at before work.  This seems to be the best time for me to get up early before everyone else does.  My best 5 mile run was 39 minutes; my best 4 mile run was 29:39.  My best time going 15 miles on the bike was 39:12.  In working at different locations, I find some treadmills to be easier than others.  I plan to use this to my advantage.

Exercise Goals: 2009

At the beginning of the year, I set a goal of running and biking 572 miles each (11 miles each per week) not counting all of the other weight training. I am doing well at around 520 so far for each. Since I do my workouts at the gym before work, this crunch time part of the year becomes more difficult because I am taking off so much; not to mention that I just don’t feel like doing it.  I have not doubt that I will make it.  For some encouragement for you and I both, here is a link to tips for meeting your goals.  I need to start working on what goals will be for next year.

My Food Diary Experiment

I started a food diary a couple of weeks ago because I have heard several times that it is good for you.  This became too tedious of a project and I soon quit doing it.  I was impeccable with keeping track.  The problem was it did not make me eat any less or any differently.  I like to eat.  And the truth is if I maintain my present weight, I am ok with that.  It would be nice to drop a few pounds, but I’m not losing any sleep over it.  I run my butt off to keep from gaining weight, but I am just not ready for a major change in diet right now.

Are You Caught Up in the Rat Race?

An interesting quote from “The Man In the Mirror” by Patrick Morley really caught my attention this week:

“The desire for things appears to have become more important than having a meaningful life philosophy.”
I have to admit that at times I find myself falling into the trap of desiring the wrong things. As we embark on a new year and get a chance at a fresh beginning, let’s keep in mind the things that are really important. The Rat Race is unwinnable and unsustainable anyway. For me, the most important things are God, marriage, family, friends, work, fun.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. –Matthew 6:33

2009: The Year of Organization

Its time for forward thinking, relooking at priorities, and setting goals (not resolutions which are usually doomed to failure).

I am declaring 2009 the year of organization. I could stand to pay more attention to detail at home, the office, time management, fitness & nutrition, finances, education, practically every facet of life. This will really help me to be better personally and professionally. It just makes life so much easier.

I plan to create lists and schedules that reflect my priorities so that I spend more time on those things that are important. I hope to pass along tips and sources that I find useful. Look for my delicious tag: organization

Here are some tips on sticking to your resolutions.

Other goals for 2009:

• run 572 miles
• read 21 books
• finish my master’s thesis

Books I’ve Read This Year

December is a time to reflect on what has gone on in the last 365 days and look forward to new opportunities. One of my goals this year was to read 20 books, and I did. So here they are.

1. The Great Physician’s Rx for Health & Wellness - Jordan Rubin
2. The Oath – Frank Peretti
3. Believe Me…God is Real! - Roy Davidson
4. The Truth About Hillary – Edward Klein
5. Americans at Risk – Irwin Redlener
6. The Faith of the American Soldier – Stephen Mansfield
7. Inside the Wire – Erik Saar & Viveca Novak
8. Evil Harvest - Rod Colvin
9. Ambling into History – Frank Bruni
10. Seven Seasons of the Man in the Mirror – Patrick Morley
11. Things We Wish We’d Known – Bill & Diana Waring
12. Home Schooling From Scratch – Mary Potter Kenyon
13. Wikinomics – Don Tapscott & Anthony Williams
14. Anticipating Surprise – Cynthia M. Grabo
15. Interpreting China’s Grand Strategy – RAND Michael D. Swaine, Ashley J. Tellis
16. Christopher Columbus – Stephen C. Dodge
17. Here Comes Everybody – Clay Shirky
18. The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook – Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore
19. Chosen by God – R C Sproul
20. The Journey to Wholeness & Holiness – Robert F. Loggins Sr.

The Most Important Meal of the Day

I know I shouldn’t skip breakfast for several reasons.  My excuse has been that I don’t’ have time.  I usually run in the morning and thought I was doing a good thing by skipping breakfast.  For my one small change, I’m going to give it a shot.  I see some guys bring in instant oatmeal to work in the morning.  I can do that.  We’ll see if it makes a difference.

Previous “One Small Thing” commitments:

Praying everyday: Gotta admit, sometimes I do it in the car.  Overall, going well.

Saying “I love you”: I may be overdoing this one a bit.  Definitely a positive change.

Everyday Choices

Some people claim that they are the product of their environment or that events in the past dictate their status in life. Everyday, I become increasingly convinced that life is made up of choices and what you choose determines where you are and where you will end up. I’m not talking about the big decisions either. I mean paying attention to the little things; everything counts. Everything adds or takes away. What time will you get up in the morning? Are you going to pray today? Are you going to read your Bible today? What will you have for breakfast today? Are you going to exercise today? Are you going to be friendly today? How will you respond to criticism today? How will you love your spouse today? How much time are you going to spend with your kids today? Are you going to super-size those fries today?

These decisions seem inconsequential, but taken over time they add up to a direction in life.

You want to be a writer? Write a page a day. At the end of a year you will have 365 pages.

You want to lose weight? Lose an ounce a day. That amounts to 20 lbs. in 320 days.

If you read 20 minutes a day, and you are an average reader, you can read 20 200 page books in a year.

Learn a word a day. Invest a buck a day. Just do it now. Time is going to pass. What are you going to do about it?