Okay, now the hard part...

  Gym is becoming a mild addiction for me. I have many of the usual signs. It's my answer to everything; when I'm stressed I go work-out, when I'm happy I go work-out, when I have to study I go work-out, when I don't have to work or study I go work-out. Ironically, while I had believed that consistency would me my biggest challenge, I now find that having to stop myself from going to the gym, in the interests of my studies and to avoid burn-out, represents the greater difficulty. That got me thinking this week; now that I'm past the gym-o-phobia, isn't it in my best interests to make certain that I am getting the most out of my hard work? Running like mad is easy, but if I really want to get to my 5-mile target by April's end, some areas will have to be addressed.

   First up is diet. I've always had a tradition where after a work-out I would go and reward myself with a hefty meal. At home however, it was mama's good old healthy, no red meat, no oil, balanced cooking. Here however, it has meant raiding the various tasty but calorie-packed meals available in the dinning hall. It dawns on me now that if I am to reach my target, then this practice has to stop. Thus I have made a few commitments towards this end. Firstly, at least 4 out of my week's meals will be partaken in Simmon's Dinning Commons, nicknamed the 'healthy commons'. Secondly, all my weekday lunches and dinners must begin with a salad and end with a fruit. Finally, my weekend brunches should be proportionally more fruit-based, than tatter-tots based.

  Secondly, now that the good Lord has seen fit to reward our endurance of suffering in winter, with warm weather and ice-less side-walks, one of my 3 runs during the week must be outside. Finally, some research is required. I must ensure that my running and breathing techniques are maximising my output and growth. I must also ensure that my diet is not working against me and perhaps find a solution to the mid-night snacking that my late-night studying seems to necessitate.

  All in all, these commitments will require a some-what drastic change in lifestyle. These changes may be difficult for many reasons including the change in routine and the adjustments it will require in the rest of my daily life. What I know for sure, is that I am going to reach my 5-mile target one way or another, if indeed these changes will aide my pursuit then I welcome them with open arms.

Progress Report: I'm now running 2.36 miles in 20 minutes, up from 2.31 last week. A modest improvement.