If you would consider helping out, I’d appreciate it

A quick note here – I have joined the Team AllEars running team for the 2010 WDW Marathon weekend. Part of our goal is to help raise money for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Please consider helping out this fantastic cause and supporting Team AllEars as we train for our half-marathons, full-marathons, and Goofy Challenges. I’ll have more information on the team as I continue to train. Thanks!!!

Spring has sprung

The days are getting warmer, the sun is rising earlier and setting later, and the boy likes to be outside. This should help explain the lack of posts. So, until we get a rainy stretch or the leaves begin to fall, short posts will be the norm.

Still running, too

I ran the Get in Gear 10k this morning. I’m training for a half-marathon at the end of May, so the distance wasn’t taxing by any stretch of the imagination, but a race always gets me running a bit harder than training. That is the point, I know, but I’m surprisingly a bit more tired than I thought I’d be after only 6.2 miles. I do know I have to eat better because I’ve gained about 6-7 lbs since I started my new job. The temptation of eating the cafeteria’s food (and, yes, it’s pretty good) is overwhelming some days, even when I bring a lunch. We have also not been eating the best at home, as I often get home after my wife and it can get late before dinner’s ready. I don’t do well eating later and I’ve been rationalizing a fair amount of junk food lately. For a few years now I have said that I will eat better and lose weight before the Disney marathon, but it doesn’t seem to work. I need better ideas on how to stick to better eating habits.

Still fumbling

You’d think that I’d have found a rhythm with work and home life to be able to post more often, but apparently not yet. One thing that I’ve been trying to do is figure out how to post more often. I have also registered for the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon, which will be my 4th consecutive race there. I posted on my training for this year’s race over at The Mouse and More, but I don’t know if I will do that this year. I may do it here or not at all. Since it’s just the marathon next year (I’m doing the Goofy again in 2011), the training will not be as rigorous. At least I hope so. My wife is running the half marathon, her first, and we’ll have to figure out the training schedule for the long runs on the weekend. Additionally, the training takes place during the holidays, which is always fun, and the weather here in Minnesota is always a factor come wintertime. We’ll see how it goes.

I had a birthday a few weeks ago (the blog’s title is still accurate), but this time it was different because my wife, son and I are happy and in a good place, unlike last year. I should point out that my wife and I have the same birthday one year apart (can’t forget it that way!). Unlike Christmas, when I couldn’t really afford to get much for my wife, I was able to get nice gifts for her birthday. She has always said that I get more gifts for her or spend more money. This year, she outspent me, but only because she got me a GPS training watch (Garmin Forerunner 405). It’s very cool and I was really surprised when I found out. Read that sentence again. Found out, not opened. I saw the receipt a week or so before my birthday and I fessed up the day before. I always do that – although not always accidentally! Anyway, it was a great present and, although I don’t like thinking about being a year older, getting it made me really appreciate where I was a year ago and where I am now – emotionally, physically, heck, even financially. Things are great and I plan on making them even better this next year!

Have not disappeared…

…just been busy at work. I still enjoy saying that. It’s been a month in the new job, I still love it, and I think I’m doing a good job. My wife’s company went through a round of layoffs and she survived, so we’re very happy about both of us working again. We plan on focusing on getting bills paid down, but we do want to start planning so work on the house, too. Can’t want for spring so I can get outside to run, too!

Back to work!

I’m closing in on the end of my second week at my new job and I am thrilled! I really enjoy the work and the people. The company is great. I’m getting used to getting going early in the morning again and my wife and son have adapted pretty well to Daddy having to leaving earlier than they do. I have even gotten used to commuting again. So far, it’s been good and I know, believe me, that in the state the economy is in right now, I am very fortunate to have been given this opportunity. I intend to take full advantage of it.

Starting new job on Monday

Last Thursday, I was offered a new job, which I accepted enthusiastically. I start on Monday and I am very excited, not only to be working, but in this particular position. I will be doing some things that I believe really play to my strengths and interests. I am being circumspect right now about the position and the company only because I’d like to get a few weeks of work under my belt before saying more.

I will say, though, that the last 8 months have been very challenging and yet also fulfilling. When this whole journey started, I was very concerned about not only finding a new job, but not getting disappointed or depressed. For the most part, I did not succumb to feeling down, although it would happen every once in a while. I guess I just knew that I would get a job, that it might take some time, and that eventually everything would work out. It did, in a wonderful way. The timing for the interviews, the timing for hearing about getting the job allowed me to be able to keep working on my project, train for the Goofy Challenge and have a vacation at Disney World, and also enjoy the holidays.

This blog was started to note the process of getting through a difficult time, finding a job, raising a son, and generally continuing to grow personally. Since at least two of those objectives are on-going, so will the blog. I’m going to continue to fumble through my forties. You’re welcome to join me!