The child is grown, but the dream is still alive and kicking.

Today I thought a lot about change.  It's true that every living person changes every day.  The part that get to people, however, is that usually the change is so subtle, so refined, that they don't even notice it until it's already in full swing.  Then when you finally realize that a change has occurred, it veritably slaps you right in the face and makes you stop and think about it, even at the most inconvenient times.  So, today was the day that it finally dawned on me the complete lifestyle change that I've undergone in the past few months.

I guess I'll start by clarifying that I am not crazy, and I do recognize that while I am still in a similar career path (restaurant management, albeit a far higher class of it), and have kept the same circle of friends, it's the variables that have changed.  Today at work I had a few of the employees approach me and ask me a variety of questions about nutrition, health, and fitness.  Now I truly cannot imagine that six months ago, working the job I was hating, anyone would have asked my advice on anything.  And I certainly don't showboat my newfound love for running and organic food around my workplace, it's not my place. So I was incredibly flattered and more importantly eager to share what I've learned with them.  I mean, I've still got a long way to go before I'd become any kind of expert, but shit, I guess I'm getting better.  I guess I'm just a sucker for life improvement; and I'm very eager to continue reading and studying the subject since it's made me so much more satisfied with my day-to-day life.

Regarding the running, I can feel it getting easier.  I love it.  I cant get over how easy it is to train your body to do things, in the course of two months I've gone from an exhausted 2 miler to throwing on my running shoes and cranking out an easy 5 miles before heading to the gym to weight train.  I can honestly say that I love it.  Love it.  I finally understand what all those crazy people in magazines were talking about with their constant talk about the "runners high" and all that.  I get it. 

I've modified my marathon goal a bit, and certainly I will be pleased with whatever happens, so long as I finish the race.  The Turkey Trot really made me realize though that qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a real possibility for me.  With a steady six months of training, It doesnt sound like an impossible task.  So I plan, then, on running the Pittsburgh Marathon in mid-May (a Boston qualifier) to see how I do.  So if I achieve the time goal, and qualify at that race... the Buffalo Marathon two weeks later will be a chance to beat my time, or just gain the experience.  If I dont qualify in Pittsburgh, I will have two weeks to assess what I need to change in my run in order to qualify.  I think it's genius (read: sort of insane to run 2 marathons in 2 weeks... but I do so love a challenge).

I can say nothing other than that I am in the right place at the right time, this time, for once.