Mr. Flavius posted recently that he was trying to get back into the swing of running. I too have been trying to get back into running. I’ve gone as far as plopping down the $90 bucks to run in a half marathon.

So when the weekend rolls around, the first thought is how far am I going to run this weekend. As of now, 5 miles.

I “like” running, but I really miss cycling. Even if it’s the kind where I’ve got the hybrid with the kid on the back. For the record I have three different bikes for 3 different types of riding. Girls love their shoes. I love my bikes. They’re all black by the way.

To keep my spirits up I’ve been visiting /r/bicycling and /r/bikeporn

My good road bike is tucked away from the elements in the basement. It’s a constant reminder that it does not make a very good clothes rack and I miss the road.

Here’s to warm weather!

By the term’s very definition, us “weekend warrior” types (such as the proprietors of this fine Internet Web Home Page) have a limited amount of time that we can devote to exercise. Responsibilities such as work, house and goddamned children necessarily take precedence.

Meeting these responsibilities also generates easy excuses, the list of which runs long. We are all familiar with them: It’s too cold, it’s dark, I’m drunk, etc.

But that’s exactly what they are: Excuses. Sometimes they are valid, but more often they are not. Sure, sitting on the couch under a blanket reading Twitter beats going out for a run when it’s 20 degrees out in the middle of January. Forcing yourself to go outside is not an easy choice.

Sloth’s more sinister partner in Health’s Deadly Sins, however, is gluttony. The key to losing weight is simple: Limit your caloric intake. In practice, it’s not so easy. I’m trying to do that. Again. For the fourth year in a row.

It was in 2010 that I first accepted that I needed to watch what I ate. I used a calorie-tracking app on my phone and was doing a pretty good job of it. But doing so requires (at least for me) a lot of mental and emotional strength, and after various stressful events that summer I eventually quit. All the weight I had lost (close to 20 pounds) came storming back with a vengeance.

So I tried again in 2011. And then again in 2012. And now here we are in 2013, hoping that this finally is the Year of Getting My Shit Together. Hopeful but realistic, given my past.

I also hope to make 2013 the year that I finally make running a part of my exercise regimen. I enjoy riding my bike, but I do not enjoy running. However, I realize that running is a more efficient means of burning calories. My first running goal for 2013, then, will be to enter and complete my first 5K. But right now, I can’t even “run” 1 mile without having to slow to a walk four or five times to catch my breath.

Plus, my fragile ego can’t handle the fact that my wife can rip off 3 miles with ease. She routinely invites me to come run with her, but I’m not keen on being left to gasp in her wake. One of these days, Alice.

I have no aspirations to run 273 miles consecutively, but let this be the light that starts the fire. Speaking of fire, I’m going to get the old BCR blog running again (pardon the pun). So stay tune.

bikes in the forest. from Sixth Row on Vimeo.

This actually looks pretty tame. What do you think?

An excellent ad from Nike.

Kick back, this is a long one.

On the bucket list.

I highly doubt these would sell around the 217 area, but how cool would it be to see these bikes go up and down the streets?