Today, I walk.

In just a few hours I will walk in the annual CitiStreet Corporate Run. It's a 5K event that takes place in the area of the Jaguars stadium in Jacksonville. Benefits Girls on the Run, a group that encourages girls to increase fitness through running.

I read that there are 9,000 5K events in the United States every year. Why is this one so important? It's only important to a few, but for me, it's a big deal.

I've been training for about 13 weeks, following the 10-weeks to 5K program in the book "Running for Mortals." Loyal readers will know that I had a bad cold, then a lower back problem for about 3 weeks of that time, so the math does work, heh heh.

It's a big deal because I've reached a goal. A goal involving exercise and diet. Mostly, the amazing thing is the exercise goal. I've not accomplished an exercise goal in very long time. Probably since I rode my last century (cycling) in 1996 or so.

I feel like I am ready, the weather is gorgeous, I think I brought my all of my stuff.

My stats:
225 lbs, down from 260lbs at the beginning of the diet change in October 2007.
3 pants sizes, depending on the pants. 40 or 42 waist.
XXL to XL shirt
All of my clothes fit. Most are large.
Blood glucose, (I'm Type II diabetic) cholesterol, blood pressure all down significantly.

So all I have to do is walk 3.1 miles this evening, and then pick a new goal. I'm thinking the 10-weeks to a 5K Run-Walk from the book.

Unfortunately, getting in shape does not encourage reversal of male pattern baldness. At least so far!