Reclaiming Health

Hello Family,

A lot of things have been coming together that have collectively convinced me to start blogging a bit again. Hannah's awesome travel blog, Paulette and Kristi's health issues, my weight gain, an onset of rare self-doubt...

I was going back through some of these blog postings this afternoon and thinking that we all accomplished quite a bit while we were blogging. Our motivation came in waves, and blogging wasn't always that easy or exciting. But I think we all did some positive things over the course of the year and a half that we kept this thing going.

Law school has been hard on my health. There are some great things about it, and I'm happy to be here in Berkeley surrounded by so many brilliant minds. But, the stresses and demands of law school have meant that my exercise routine and diet have suffered. I don't want to focus on pounds, but all the weight I had lost since we started at the end of 2007 the blog is back. Weight is only a very small part of health. But sometimes it can reflect the bigger picture, and I would say that is true right now.

What I've been trying to figure out, and need to keep working on, is how to become healthier, despite the stresses of school. Last time that I started blogging, I set goals for myself, some that I followed through on and others that I didn't. What I'm not sure about is whether those were good in the long run. I think I do better exercising or eating right when I give myself a goal, or some restriction. But I would really like to find the way to make positive choices in my health that are lifelong.

No answers yet, but I'm going to try to use this blog again as a tool to figuring out how to reclaim my health.

Family!
I cannot believe that Caleb and Jaime will be running a marathon in 5 days. That is nuts. Way to go guys! Also, I am wholly impressed by Heather and Ben and their dedication to this half marathon. I am lacking some of that dedication, but today I forced myself to run up Mount Sentinel and then run 3 miles, not quite the 8 or 10 that team Sather put in, but it was an attempt. A great thing happened on the run, I fell in love. Okay, that is a lie, but I did meet my friends mom on the top and we ran together and it was so fun to run into some random person, know them in a roundabout sort of way and then be able to run with them too. It was very fun.
I can't wait to see you guys this weekend. Love you all.

In Praise of Ben Sather

Ben, in sports terms, you have been an amazing mid-season pick-up of a brother. I thought a lot about family around the time that you and Heather got married. One of the things I thought about was how each person adds a unique piece to the functioning of a family. When a family is together but one person is missing, well the family functions differently. And when one gets added, who knows what is going to happen? Call it family chemistry.

Well, the point is, it has been amazing how much our family's chemistry has been changed, for the better, because of you. We were never a nickname family until you came along, but now we all have several (KWeb, Ciesel, Ozzman, Hannibal to name a few). We've all seen more concerts, and had much better seats at them than we would have otherwise. We've been introduced to great music.

But those are just a few of the things that are easy to name. There's also the ways that you add humor and friendship to our lives. The way you helped get us all through Dad's death, and preserved your new marriage to Heather through such a traumatic event. The way that Ben Webster found a best friend and a musical ally in you when he needed both. And, the fact that you have, along with Heather, introduced to the world one of the most precious people it has known.

Ben, you're a great brother and I'm glad to have you as one. I can tell you are a great husband and father too. Thank you for wearing all these hats so well. Thanks for adding so much to our family and making it what it is today.

Way to go on training through a bad knee, on committing to run the half marathon this June. I know you can and will do it!

Refocused

It's been a month and a half since my last post, so I have to apologize to everyone for not following through on the blogging efforts. In reality, though, I've found new focus in the last two and a half weeks. I am making my weekly runs, and have had a much better attitude toward the whole thing. The marathon is only 30 days away!!! And, even better, I am confident I can do it! And so can Jaime! Tomorrow is an 18 mile run, so we'll see if I'm feeling so super after that.

A couple of things I wanted to say to everyone. First, thanks! Thanks to Heather and Ben for doing great with their running, even going for a big run on vacation. That was very encouraging. Thanks to Mom and Hannah for coming down to San Diego to support us at the end of the month! Mom buying the tickets cemented in my mind that there was no backing out of this thing. Thanks to BenWeb for not only doing track & field, but for dominating at it (pre-injury).

And a confession to Dave: I've fallen off the workout routine. I think that I won't resume it until after the marathon - I think one major goal is enough for now.

And a word of encouragement to everyone: it is completely normal to fall off the training wagon. I totally did for about 2 months. But I'm not discouraged anymore. To quote Zoolander,
Maury: What do we do when we fall off the horse? [long pause and no reply] We get back on the horse.
Zoolander: Sorry, Maury, I'm not a gymnast.
So, here's to us all being gymnasts and getting back on the horse when we fall off. Don't worry about falling behind schedule. Don't stress about what you haven't done. Just think about what you're going to do and do it.

And a plan. I think we should put this blog to rest after the half-marathon weekend in Seattle. It's been great and a good way to keep in touch, but I think that it's losing its luster. Maybe we can start a new blog, or something else creative afterward. But, just like Lost having an end date for next season has made it a more efficient show, so too will an end date to this blog make it a more useful tool over the next two months (I think).

And an apology. Ben Sather, I totally didn't mean to slight you in the "In Praise of" series. It just happened that I got caught up in law school decision making stuff when it was your turn. I'm going to make up for that in a minute.

And that's all. Here's to a great 2 months of Webster health!

Another Sunday Run

So, I went for my Sunday run this afternoon.  It started out a little rough...as I shared in a previous blog, when I run, I tend to hit my right foot on my left ankle.  Today, I managed to draw blood within the first half a mile from the apartment.  I did a mid-length run today, about 9 miles. Hopefully something similar tomorrow.

But, what I wanted to share is about all the stuff I saw on my run.  So, before I had even left the campus, I saw a small baby squirrel run and try to jump under a parked car.  In the spring and summer, we have all these crazy little lizards that sunbathe in the sun.  Throughout the run I counted 18 small lizards that scamper off when I approach and 4 fat lizards too fat to run away.  I saw a lady bug and a red ant on the sidewalk.  I saw a little bird in a bush.  I also saw an orange t-shirt and a white sock.  Unfortunately, I saw too much trash.  I saw 2 more squirrels.  A women's soccer game.  I saw 4 people riding their bikes, about 10 students walking to and fro.  A couple walking their dogs.  And lots of pretty spring flowers.  I have to saw that the spring flowers really bring beauty to my runs these days.

Hope all is well with everyone else.     

I can't get no motivation

I am writing a new song similar to I can't get no satisfaction, however, it is only about motivation, I try and I try, but I can't get no motivation. Clearly I am in trouble I am using double negatives. Yikes! Does anyone have any tips to help me on my journey to half marathon stardom?

Made it through Lent

Well everyone, I made it 40 days without any fried chicken. I had my moments when I really wanted some because it was quick and easy and it smelled so good in the grocery store around 5:00. But I over-came my temptations! I am releived that it's over and am looking forward to tonight (Brynn is taking me to Double Front...best fried chicken in town!), but I'm going to cut way back on my fried chicken intake. All in all, I have to say, I enjoyed the challenge. 40 days is a lot longer then it sounds.