Ready, Set, Go!

And so it begins.

I'm officially back from vacation, finished with my major relays and looking at myself square in the face. I've created quite a project for myself - a messed up left leg, 10 extra pounds, and eating habits so disordered that eating healthy is a long distant memory. These things crept up slowly - letting little things go here and there until it all came together in a perfect vacation storm.

I've always loved a challenge.

Of course, I didn't get off to the best start this morning. I did set my alarm for a 6:15 am wakeup so that I could put in a few miles...except that I didn't even hear the alarm. So much for running this morning. But I did fire up my sparkpeople account so that I can get a handle on my nutrition. After a shopping trip full of fresh fruits and vegetables, I've got a delicious zucchini spaghetti with salsa cruda in the works for dinner - which already has lifted my spirits in the way only fresh food can.

And now I've signed up with the Hard Core Club - a group of runner bloggers looking to iron out their planks and grow abs of steel, I hear. Group motivation always works for me, and when it comes to working on my core, I need all the help I can get.

As for the leg - well, I'm beginning to think the problem is originating in the quad. I know that my patella tracking is out of wack, but I'm having trouble figuring out if it is coming from above or below. I did try a couple of good quad stretches and felt it pulling on the knee - and I've noticed that this seems to have loosened it up a bit, so maybe I'm on the right track.

Now all I need to do is throw on my shoes and head out the door - and I'll be on my way!