Day 1

Every year I make a New Years Resolution along the lines of "I am going to lose weight."  Sometimes I attach an actual goal, like 20 pounds.  That doesn't work because the goal isn't tangible enough and I've never had the patience.  I've tried resolving to cut out worthless calories I consume via beer, wine and awesomely bad for you bar food. But I inevitably fail as soon as March Madness rolls around, if not sooner.  I've tried resolving to cut out processed foods like refined sugar and processed flour and eat only whole grains and natural foods.  I've actually done pretty well at this but if anything it's just made me a foodie, not necessarily any healthier. 

So this year, I decided to give myself a tangible goal that will have the inevitable side effect of weight loss.  Yes, by the end of 2012, I am going to run a marathon. 

Now, as it currently stands, I have some very minor history of running.  There was a summer in undergrad where my best friend and I regularly went to the gym and I could go a solid two miles without stopping.  And about a year ago, I determined that I was going to run a 5k.  In fact, I signed up for two within a week of each other.  There was some running, but more walking. 

So I have made a plan for myself and I am going to do my best to document the results here.  For the next month or so I am going to run intervals to get my body past the whole initial shock and back into the routine of running.  By March, I want to be able to actually run the Shamrock Shuffle 5k.  Then, by June or so I want to sign up for a 10k.  By the end of summer, or early fall I'd like to give a half marathon a try.  And then by the end of the year, marathon.  

So here we are on Day 1, January 2, 2012 (I gave myself New Years Day off).  I ran a mile and a half doing 1 minute on/1.5 minute off intervals and I survived.  It even kind of felt good...until my shins started cramping.