Work has been incredibly slow and we work on an efficiency requirement for our deptartment so I've been taking a lot of unpaid time off. It's hurting my pocketbook bad but I'm enjoying the time off. I'm trying to save my PTO pay for an actual vacation.

Because of all this time off, I got to the Y at a non busy time today. Did 20 minutes (3.6 miles) on the recumbent bike and 1 mile on the crosstrainer. Then, I got the bright idea that I was going to see how hard it was to run on the treadmill. I need to get started sooner or later. Anyway, I started with a 3 min walk/1 min run mix. I only did 15 minutes but it's a start. And it really didn't feel that hard. My heart rate shoot up though. Just for fun, I calculated how I would finish the mini-marathon if I kept the pace I set today. I'd finish in 4:05. If I can do that now....in 4 months and (hopefully) 20-40 pounds less, I'll be in good shape to make the deadline. Our local WalkAmerica walk use to be 12 miles and I walked (no running) that under 4 hours. When I first signed up for the mini, I was afraid of that time limit.

Also, I meet a lady at the Y that has the lap-band and lost 80 pounds. I really believe it was the hand of God that lead us to meet. I'm not usually there at that time. I usually have my MP3 player on and don't talk to people. I'm in my own little world. But today I left it in the car. She told me that there is local support meeting that I could attend. (My surgeon's support group is 40 miles away and not convienent). Also, this lady seemed really down. She had complication that resulted in a second surgery and she's been unable to hold a job due to depression. We talked for about 20 minutes and she said I made her day. Even with her complications, she said she didn't regret her surgery at all.