Halfway through, it's been a successful month.

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

I started the new year with purpose, not so much resolutions as using the mental break of the calendar as a marking point. My plan was to start a new training plan, this time a Half marathon plan, which should have me at that condition by May. Second, Kim & I returned to the Skinny Rules, this time not trying to drag the kids along with us. And I have also tried to turn over a new leaf at work as well, cutting down on the distractions and focusing more.

Half way through the month I am successful on all fronts. My training plan is going well (despite cutting today short due to some muscle strain, and having to run in snow and single digit temperatures.) Our eating has improved, and I think we are on a course that we can maintain. And work has really improved.

Of course it is only half way through the month, and there is a long way to go in making each change a habit. Generally the theory goes that it takes 30 day of doing something for it to become a habit. So that is my first real goal: stick to the changes in routine and eating practices until they become a habit. I know at this point that running has become a habit. When I miss a couple of days I really feel it, physically and psychically. So for that it is just a matter of working on my building blocks: complete each training run as designed, knowing that they are the building blocks that allow me to build myself back into half marathon condition. And then follow the new eating practices long enough that they become the habit, hopefully breaking myself free from some of my previous bad habits.