Still on Sabbatical

It's been so long since I've posted that I'm sure I'm off of most of my blogging friends' blogrolls by now. Coming out of blog sabbatical to let you know that I'm officially on blog sabbatical. Not blog retirement yet . . .hoping to get back into the swing of things now that marathon training is officially under way.

So long for now!

Hello Again

It's been so long since I've blogged that I almost forgot how to do this. Seriously, I had to think for a second to log in with the right IDs for Blogger. My husband especially, checking out his Google reader at work, will be surprised to see a new post from me. Not of a heck of a lot to say but yet so much to say, so let me update you:

• My weight loss efforts continue, and I'm down 7 pounds since January 1. I had really hoped to be down 10 by now, but such is life.
• I've run here and there, sometimes not because of a sore throat/cold that refused to go away, sometimes because of too busy with work, sometimes because effin' plantar fasciitis is back again.
• I'm officially signed up for Chicago 2009! Also signed up for the Chicago Police Foundation's Run to Remember, the Soldier Field 10 Mile and the 13.1 Chicago.
• I've become addicted to Facebook and must stop. It's been good to keep up with Jill, Chris and Karin via Facebook, but I also have to get back to reading blogs.
• Facebook has been good because I've been able to reconnect with some long-lost friends, including my college roommate. Fifteen years later and we find out that we're both running Chicago!

Not an exciting return to the blogging world, I know, but for now I must get back to the parts of my life that do not require a laptop. Be back soon!

Starting Off on the Right Foot (Even if it is sore)

It's been a productive weekend on the running/get healthy/lose weight/get strong for Chicago '09 starting line front:

• I developed a Half Marathon training schedule for Mike and me, based on Hal Higdon's novice plan. The first Half Marathon in Chicago is in early June, so I stretched the schedule out to get a good base going.
• Ran 2 miles on Friday, took Saturday off when some familiar foot pain crept up (Are you effin' kidding me?) and ran 3 miles today (plus some upper body strength training). Mike has not run yet due to a conveniently-timed head cold. Of course, he hasn't signed up for the Half either, but I think I'm close to convincing him.
• Bought Bob Harper's new book and armed with Bob's food list, bought some of this, this and some other good-for-you things I don't feel like looking up links for. :)
• Bought a food diary to record every morsel that goes in my mouth.
• Taped two horrendous photos of me (no, I won't be posting those) from Christmas into the inside of my food diary, as well as this photo of the swimsuit I'll be wearing (and not embarrassingly so) during our June vacation.
• Oh yes, committed to myself and everyone that I talk to that I'm going to lose 40 by the Fourth, or 40 pounds by July 4th. Even posted a handy little tally on the right. Mike asked if I really want to "go public" with the 40 pound goal on my blog but the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right? For my family and friends who've said that there's no way I need to lose 40 pounds . . .well first, Bless You! and rest assured I'm not turning into an Olsen twin. Forty pounds is still well within a healthy BMI for me.
• Meeting with a nutrionist later this month.
• Have three more sessions with my personal trainer.
• Weighing in for our next round of the Biggest Loser contest at work on Monday. (the first one didn't work so well, at least for me.)
• Taking my latest obsession with The Biggest Loser one step further and signing up friends and family for an email, honor system version of the Biggest Loser contest. (Yes, I will have two Biggest Loser contests going at once. . . .accountability is key for me.) Thank you Cheryl, Lori and Dad for signing up! Want to join? Let me know if the comments section by Wednesday (1/7) and I'll email you the info.

You're probably thinking, obsess much? I know I tend to go all out on these, but for me, if I'm going to stick to anything I need to completely immerse myself or I tend to lose focus.

I'm looking forward to arriving at the Chicago '09 start line much lighter than I am now!

*For the male readers that came back to my blog without getting distracted by the Victoria's Secret link, thank you!

A Race on the Calendar

Congratulations! You are entered to run in the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K on Sunday, March 29, 2009.

www.shamrockshuffle.com