The winter reigns.

So after a few weeks of absence from blogging, i must admit that winter in Buffalo has been getting me down.  Don't get me wrong, I love it here- I actually enjoy the cold, and the snow, but the mere fact of the complete lack of sunlight for the past month is just really ruining my mojo.  (It's a Vitamin D thing... come on Buffalo, give us a break, it's for our health!) 

On top of the freezing temperatures (today it was a balmy -4 degrees, and that's Fahrenheit, folks), coming out of training and into the real work in my job involves longer and more exhausting days, more responsibility, and more stress.  All of these combined, really do make an even stronger case for continuing my training, but due to my abhorrence for the treadmill, as well as my love for my new bed- it's been difficult.  I've been forcing myself to do 12-15 miles a week just to stay in running shape, but the training plan I so calculatingly laid out back in October has admittedly fallen by the wayside for the past few weeks.   January in Buffalo is just not the best time or place to find your motivation. 

On another, related note, just finished an incredibly good book called In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan.  The book really made it clear and simple the pitfalls and downfalls of the Western diet, lead by the commercialization and industrialization of processed foods.  I would suggest it to anyone, who is interested in nutrition; even if you will never give up on Kraft Mac & Cheese, it still may shed some light on other things about food that many people may not even realize.  In short, it's a great read, and definitely made an impact as far as what I'm willing to fuel my body with.... most of the time.  Sorry, Mr. Pollan but you're absolutely not going to stop me from eating Pepperidge Farm cookies every now and again.  They're just too damn good.

Partially due to the book, and partially due to the fact that I simply love to cook & bake, I've taken to baking my own bread (remarkably easy, and so much better for you).  Bread is one of those foods which just drives me nuts to check out in the store.  I made bread today.  Took me about ten minutes (then obviously the wait time to rise, and then to bake... during which I did laundry & cleaned), and had a grand total of five ingredients.  Bread in the store?  I'm not exactly sure what ferrous sulfate is, but I doubt that it's necessary to the composition of the loaf.

So I guess the blog moves on, and I hereby solemnly state that I will do my best to update more.  Simply because the writing is cathartic for me and allows me to share (even if with just myself) what is going on.  Struggles and setbacks.  When it comes down to it, I have a marathon to run in four months, and I'd better get my ass in gear.  In a way that I can tolerate.  Which for now... running when I can, and cross training when it's blizzarding or mid-frostbite-warning.  And eating real food when I can, and mostly doing what is best for me and makes me feel healthy. 

Hailing from a ten-mile run that just beat the crap out of me, the longest run I've had in over a month....

Cheers.