And there goes June

June will be over in two days. This is significant because this was the month that I "stepped up" my exercise plan. The detailed plan of exercises that I made at the beginning of the month sort of went out the window when I decided that I'd much rather run than go to the gym. And so that went.

I originally set out to run 72 miles (I believe) for the month of June. Currently I am at 94 miles and will definitely cross the 100 mile mark for the month by the end of tomorrow night.

I will finish my Nike+ challenge comfortably in 4th place. The top 3 are all approximately 40-50 miles ahead of me but I'm pretty far ahead of everyone else. The challenge lasts for two months and I finished it in one month. I find this satisfying.

Running has gotten much, MUCH easier. I ran 8 miles last Thursday. This was easily the furthest that I have ever run. The amazing thing was that I was less tired and ran faster as I went. My 7th and 8th miles were the fastest. I honestly think I could have made it to 10 miles but I started the run at 8:00pm and it was dark out by the time I hit 8 miles. I don't run very fast, you see.

There was a time, only a few weeks ago, where a 5 mile run was a "long one". Those days are done now.

Starting this morning I switched my morning run from 2.8 miles to 4.2 miles. I just added in a stretch by the cemetery that I usually incorporate in to longer runs. I have to wake up 15 minutes earlier, as I'm cutting it close as it is. I think over the next three months this extra boost to my 3-4 weekday morning runs per week will pay huge dividends.

It rained very hard last night, which was unfortunate. I planned my run for later in the day and was not able to execute it. This prevented me from going over 30 miles in a week for the very first time. No matter. It's only a matter of time.

Final mile tally: 27.1 miles

As for my weight, well, I'm under 210 pounds for the first time since 2002 and it's starting to show. My face has thinned considerably to the point where my constant self criticism has relaxed a little bit. Obviously I am not content, but things are getting better.

I put all my bigger and rattier clothes in to four large garbage bags this weekend, which I will donate whenever I get around to it. I have a leaner closet as a result. This is fine, because I was one of the few men that I know that probably had close to 100 different shirts. I think in the future I need to relax a bit.

After my weight settles down - I can focus on putting together a solid wardrobe of quality pieces, but for now I have to make due with what I have that still fits. I've bought a few things now and then.

Weight loss this week: 2.2 pounds
Weight: 208.6

200 pounds will be a major milestone for me, although the goal is 185. I have not been under two bills since high school, so this is going to be huge. I get frustrated sometimes with my decision to put my entire life on hold to attain this goal but when all the hard work starts to pay off - well, then it becomes worth it.

It's all very exciting, actually.

Here's to an even better July.