Unit 9 Project

Dear Friends and Blog Followers,

I must admit, it was a late start for me this week and as I was completing my final project, I wasn't factoring it into my blog.  However, I did want to share aspects of my paper with all of you.  One thing this assignment did not ask was for us to share our favorite aspect of this class.  I must admit, I LOVE blogging.  After Unit 10, I plan on deleting most of these postings, but keeping the blog site for my personal blogging.  It really is a great forum.

With that being said, I realize my life seems to be an open book, but there are still parts of my life that I would like to work on in private.  I have kept no secret about my feelings regarding Dasher throughout this course, so I won't start now:)  I really enjoyed the final project, however, I don't feel comfortable sharing so much personal information in such a public forum.  I will share my physical goals with all of you, largely due to the accountability aspect this could create.  However, since there are still some personal issues that I am dealing with from tragedies in my past, I am asking for your understanding when I chose not to share them with you folks in such a public space.  If it was only you guys, that would be fine, however, once something hits the web, it is out there forever and for everyone.

If you continue to follow my blogs, I will be creating a new one after this course ends.  I plan on blogging my transition from overweight, lethargic stagnant guy to marathon runner:)  With that being said, here are some exerts from my final project as it pertains to my physical goals.

Physically, I plan on taking my first steps towards my marathon finish line.  To aid in this, I’m going to focus on each step, not each mile.  I have an all or nothing mentality, which limits me and my accomplishments.  If I can’t workout for an hour, I won’t workout for 30 minutes.  If I don’t have 30 minutes, I won’t workout 20.  I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity to throw some miles on my running shoes.

I plan on starting my marathon training today.  I plan on taking steps everyday towards this goal, both literally and metaphorically.  It has been a while since I ran a 5K so I will look for one that takes place in about 4 weeks.  I then plan on running in an organized run every 6 weeks.  I plan on running a 10K next, then a 13.1 half marathon.  Hopefully by the end of the year I’ll be up to marathon shape.

Physically I plan on measuring both my intake and my output.  I am going to track my food intake using a daily food log.  This will take discipline, but it has really helped me in the past.  In addition, I’m going to keep a mental and emotional log as well.  This will tie into my psychological goals to be mentioned later, but I am looking for correlations between diet, exercise and mental clarity and emotional well-being.  Secondly, I plan on signing up for a 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon within the year.  I will find a 5K today.  I’m not sure why I feel compelled to start all new activities on a Monday, but that is just one of the ways I am wired.  Fortunately, today is Monday :) .

Again, I truly appreciate your understanding this final blog.  I look forward to following your future work and staying in touch with you.

George