40 days....

For millions of Catholics around the world, today marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. 40 days of preparation until Easter. As many know, there is a custom or tradition to give up something for Lent. Sweets, Alcohol, Meat, and other vices or bad habits.

Most years, I tend to "start" something, rather than to "stop" something. Like starting being
nicer for 40 days. To smiling more for 40 days. This year, I'm going more traditional. Since the last Chicago marathon, a number of factors have contributed to some weight gain. So this Lent, I'm going to dig deep and try to shed the close to 10 lbs that have seemingly appeared overnight.

I'm not going to blame stress, or job lose, eating to much, or getting adjusted to two kids, or lack of exercise, or even on my belief that I've had a metabolism shift. Rather, I'm just going to attempt to change my thinking and try to get back to where I want to be weight wise. That is close to 10 lbs in 40 days. I'm realistic in knowing that honest weight lose doesn't occur that quickly, so just getting close will be considered a success. To visually show my progress. I've placed a new "Weight Loss Ticker" at the top of the blog.

So what are doing for lent?

More progress...

It has been a number of weeks since any progress was made on the basement. I guess looking for a job can do that to you. That said. Now at the beginning of the 3rd week of my new gig, I started up some work again. To be honest, I was procrastinating since it was sanding, striping, priming, and (not yet started) painting the old rusted baseboard heating units. It was and is an ugly job, but its the next step needed to be done before I can start any framing. With a little persistence, perhaps I'll have them painted an installed within a week. Then it will be "hammer time".

More to come...
Peace

E-Squared - Tales from the Backseat (Baby Sister? Huh)

Maybe its just another fun, make you smile "Tale fro the Backseat"

This past week E1 asked about his Baby Sister. At first I wasn't sure what he was saying so I asked again. Sure enough, in his broken/still learning almost 4yr old English, out came the words "Baby Sister". He know E2 is is "Baby brother".

Oddly enough a number of E1 preschool teachers have approaches us asking about the Baby Sister that E1 keeps talking about. As if we were withholding a secret.

Alas, there is no baby sister. At least not yet. Perhaps one Day the Lord will Bless us with one. Until then, it still puts a smile on my face to know that E1 is interested in and telling people about his "Baby Sister".

Peace

Change is a comin...

A number of small (or maybe no so small) changes are being inacted on the blog. I've removed the Event links section, and replaced that with countdown timers and links to the 2009 Event schedule.

I've shifted the Destination Addis Ababa up to front and Center. I was looking for a bar or line slider type of widget, rather than a mileage ticker, but I've not found anything cool yet. Something similar to the Adoption countdown bar we used once before.

Most importantly, you'll see that the Team World Vision First Giving sponsorship link is up and active. The Sponsorship page still needs a little work, but its functioning. You can check it out at http://www.firstgiving.com/twollnik2009 Its a terrible economy, I certainly recognize that. But if its bad for us, just think of all those that were already in need. How much worse it much be for them.

So my suggestion? Shop at Aldi for a week or two, and put the savings towards a charitable cause. Of course, I'd love to have you sponsor me, but the idea is that there are others in greater need than ourselves.

Happiness is...

I received a much appreciated, and very funny belated birthday card yesterday. So good, I thought I would share it with y'all

It read..

Happiness is like peeing in your pants. Everyone can see it, but only you can fell its warmth.

The inside inscription read: It's your birthday. Let your happiness show. During my run this morning, I guess I had the opportunity to "Let my happiness show", instead I opted for the bathroom at the forest preserve.

How do you let your happiness show?

Peace

It has begun..

After some delays, some planning, and discussions, the initial 2009 event calendar is in the books. This past weekend, I registered for some running and some triathlon events.

First in line is the Great Western 1/2 Marathon in early May.
Next comes the Batavia Triathlon in mid June.
Following that is the Copperman Triathlon in Early August
Next comes the Accenture Chicago Triathlon in Late August
One week later is the Batavia 1/2 Madness 13.1 in early September
I close out the year with the Chicago Marathon in October.

I must admit that I'm a bit excited to get back into the triathlons after taking 2008 off. I considered long and hard about signing up for the 1/2 ironman triathlon. In the end, I thought that might be best if it were a 2010 goal.

So in the coming weeks, look not only for some updates on the basement remodel, but on training updates. Of particular fun should be my first foray back into the swimming pool after taking more than 1 year off from swimming.

So that's my early 2009 updates.. I've got a long road ahead, but I'm excited about it!

Peace

America - you are beautiful...

America - you are beautiful...And blessed... The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless. If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." - Pope John Paul II

While still basking in the glow of the Inauguration of President Obama... Despite Obama's repeal of the "Mexico City Policy", and the growing feud involving F.O.C.A, I thought that quote from Pope John Paul II was particularly poignant. As was the simple message contained in this short commercial that aired last week...

Everyone deserves a chance, lets give it to them...

Its progress..

The third time is a charm. Lets see if that's true. For the first time in quite some time, I've hit the streets three times this week. A couple of shorter 4+ mile runs, and 8 today. Felt, good but I need to take it easy, as I can tell the body needs to get back into running form.

More in the "progress" front.. Work on the basement is going to proceed. I've cleared out the basement to give myself some more work space. Stopped at home depot for the first batch of 2x4s. First step is to rough wall framing, to build a closet around the electrical panel, and hang some drywall to close off the utility room from further "construction dust".

I'll keep you all posted on all the progress, both running, training, events schedules, and basement remodeling.

Peace

A breakthrough day... (??)

January 20th, 2009 will be a historic day for the Obama inauguration today. We've all seen the news, heard the commentary, so I'll not add much to that, except to say, I thought it was a moving speech. I really enjoyed and was hopeful regarding the invocation.

In my own world today, I headed out for a brief run. Gone was the bitter -24 temps of last Thursday. While still below freezing, I was glad to get out again, especially within a week. I've been less then consistent about running the past two to three months.

Like the political speeches today that sought to create hope, and to encourage each of us to do more, I think in own small corner of the world, maybe I've started to head back towards the track of better health through running

Squish, Crutch, ahhh

Some people call me the Space Cowboy... Some call me just plain crazy. I ended up going out for a 5 mile run this morning. The temperature gauge read -9 degrees, that was without will chill, which according to the weather channel would be about -28 or so.

I had a route that I could short circuit and only do two miles if it proved to could. Crazy? Maybe, but I also wanted to try out the new UnderArmour cold weather gear that Santa brought me. The only exposed skin I had was around my eyes. Everything else was covered.

For the 1st mile, I though I would cut it short as my eyebrows were getting quite cold. But they ended up frosting over ...smile... and I changed directions, and things seemed fine. Don't get me wrong, had I pulled a hammy and had to walk, I might have turned into a Popsicle, but at long as I was running, I felt quite comfortable.

So there is it.. the new benchmark (for me) for cold weather running.

Crazy.. I know..