Oh wait, I’m not a teacher and I’ve been working all summer. But as for my achievements…meh. Ok, not really, but that’s kind of how it feels. At the start of the year, I was all over it—getting a new achievement every month it seemed. But then I got bogged down with some of the long-term achievements and lost momentum. I’m still going, but it doesn’t really feel like. Knowing that there is only three and a half months to finish the rest of my goals for this year is a little daunting. So, for starters, it’s time to mention one achievement that I’ve been procrastinating posting.

After I reached my goal of weighing 200 pounds, I celebrated by going back to my old eating habits. Not completely falling off the wagon, but I certainly didn’t deny myself the enjoyment of a fulfilling éclair donut or bowl of cookie dough ice cream from time to time. I kept running, so I remained in balance, but I pretty much stopped losing weight. By sheer momentum, I kept going and got down to 195. And hovered. I was as low as 190 and as high as 198, but I’ve pretty much stayed there for the past few months. And really, I think I’m procrastinating posting this because it means I have to move on to my next 5 lb weight loss goal. I’ve enjoyed being less than a tenth of a ton long enough. And with the new season of Biggest Loser starting TONIGHT…it’s time that I too continued on with my goals. So with that:

Achievement Unlocked—Break the Barrier.

	Break the Barrier Weigh 195 pounds – 30 pounds total weight loss.	40 Acquired 09/15/2009

The second achievement I’m posting was accomplished last night for reading 12 books this year. I didn’t realize I was that close until I randomly decided to count up the books I’ve read. I actually read 13 if you count reading Ultramarathon Man twice. And I actually read 113 books if you count reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to my son about a hundred times. Not to mention that my favorite author, Jason Pinter, has two books coming out this fall, so I’m sure I will end up with even more. I’m already considering how to “up” this achievement for next year. Perhaps, reading one really long book instead? We shall see…

But for now:
Achievement Unlocked—Paperback King

	Paperback King Read 12 Books.	25  Acquired 09/15/2009

For those playing along, these are the books I read this year:
The Guilty, by Jason Pinter
Star Wars: Death Star, by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry
Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell
My Total Money Makeover, by Dave Ramsey
Bringing Up Boys, by Dr. James Dobson
The Terminal Man, by Michael Crichton
Ultramarathon Man, by Dean Karnazes
50/50, by Dean Karnazes
The Stolen, by Jason Pinter
Star Wars: Jedi Search, by Kevin J. Anderson
Star Wars: Dark Apprentice, by Kevin J. Anderson
Personal Record: I love affair with running, by Rachel Toor

As for the rest of my achievements, I’m still not even half way there. It is possible, and I’m on track, but it’s time to get after it. I was completely on schedule with my marathon training until I decided to do a 6 mile run at a high school track which completely re-aggravated my ITB issues. So now I’m trying to rest and cross train while it heals. Hopefully I’ll still have time to get miles in to make it to the Dallas White Rock Lake Marathon. Just about everyone I know that runs marathons or is running one for the first time is going to this race. I’ve heard it’s a great “debut marathon” race, so it would be quite fitting. We shall see.

george