Today I'm starting out my last week of level 4 running. I must say, the weather has been MISERABLE! Even though I keep getting up earlier and earlier to beat the heat, it just keeps getting hotter and hotter. I really can't wait for some cooler weather. Anything below 105 degrees would be great!

So far, I've stayed pretty much caught up on the goals that I set at the end of last week. I'm definitely drinking more water, although it's probably still not enough, and I've been eating better. I've incorporated more fresh foods into my diet, which means less salt and more good-for-you stuff. I've also cut down on a lot of bad carbs. So far this week, I've resisted sausage biscuits for breakfast, hash browns, white bread, and pasta (except for last night... Charlie offered to make dinner and I said "sure!" What did he make? Pasta!) Overall, I'm doing alright. I'm afraid to step on the scale though, because last time I did it gave me a number that was higher than I'd ever seen before. I don't think it's the right reading, but I don't really want to see that number again. I am still seeing some good changes too. After my lapse a couple weeks ago, I was back at the point where my clothes were too tight, but now I seem to be past that again. It's amazing how quickly a one week break will kill months of hard work.

I made a new friend this week. There's this guy who I figure to be around my dad's age who also runs in my neighborhood. I've seen him out running for as long as I can remember (my family has lived in the same house for 20 years, so he's been at it a long time!), but usually I'm in the house and he's outside running. On Friday, he caught up to me and we started talking. He had a few words of encouragement about how getting started is tough and keep it up and all that stuff. We had good conversation for about a minute, and then he went another way. But I saw him again this morning, going the opposite way this time, and he asked if I was still with it. I was walking, so I guess that's why he had to ask.

Then this morning right at the end of my run (when I'm all sweaty and gross) I see this cute guy that I've never seen before. I mean, I know I'm married and all, but still, come on people! I looked completely gross, and I probably smelled gross too! It was right at the end after I'd finished the last running segment and I was trudging that last block back to the house. He was all walking around and stretching his many muscles and stuff (he was wearing an Army shirt, and judging from his physique, he's probably actually spent some time in the Army, or else he works out really hardcore for fun) and then he took off running down my street. I'll probably be seeing him again since it seems like he's a runner too, so I'll have to get over the sweat factor. I don't think I'll be talking to him anytime soon though, because he runs much faster than I do :-)