Getting Back On Track Physically

I have been slacking in regards to working out over the previous two months. I haven't been sleeping as well, thinking as clear, and so on since I stopped. However, over the past 3 weeks, I have been getting myself back on track. Three weeks ago, I went for a 4.5 mile run outside in the freezing cold that completely kicked my ass! They say that after two weeks of inactivity, you lose your base. I definetely lost most of it! My heart rate must have been well over 170/bpm even though I was only running 9 minute miles.

Since then I have been slowly getting myself back into the grove and capable of totalling 18+ miles per week. I have had hip and shin pains in the past when I have attempted to do some 7+ mile runs and have not prepared for them. I am back to running 5 mile runs at an 8:30 minute pace without much of a problem. Now, I just need to slowly expand upon that distance to be able to run the half-marathon this summer. I just hope that all of this focus on running does not hurt me in the triathlons I tell myself I am going to do.

Back From NYC

I was in New York City for the better part of last week. The time spent in NYC went very well, I bettered some client relationships and did some great promoting of my research. I love actually creating a product and having many of the key decision makers in the industry making it a part of their trading strategies, etc.. However, the flight back was one of the WORST travel experiences I have ever had!!!

I got to NY La Guardia (the worst big-city airport, of which I travel to nearly every month) at about 5 PM to learn that my flight had been delayed to 8 PM. No problem, grab a beer and some grub and wait. Well, at 7:30 PM I am waiting to board and the gate staff report that my flight has been delayed until 10 PM. I basically sit around with absolutely NOTHING to do with just about one hundred Spring Breakers that are throwing frisbees over my head, ready for their excursions down to MTV's Spring Break in Cancun. I finally get onto the plane and arrive in Chicago at 1 AM. Since many other delayed flights were also landing at O'Hare airport, it was like U2 was throwing a free concert! My car was late, so I didnt get home until 2 AM. Fall asleep at 3 AM. Of course, I have to wake up at 5 AM to get back to work the next day.

The weekend went much smoother. I was very domestic and bought a new Persian rug and TV stand for the living room.

Lots of work to do this week, but I can not wait for a break later this month for some relaxation.