Pulling a Lazarus

After more than what, six months, I've finally gotten things in my life (professional life, I should say) in order enough to get back on the road. The last time I posted on my blog, I was still about six months from taking the CFA exam and my job was still very much in question. Well, I took the CFA back in early June and am waiting for the results, which will come at the end of July. I don't really know if I passed or failed (the pass rate for Level I is about 30%) but I can't worry about that at this point. If I pass, great...I'll start studying for Level II in September. If I fail, it'll stink but I'll definitely pass next year.

On the job front, with the markets doing much better and our own fortunes much rosier than they were back in February and March, I feel much better about my job for now. To be sure, the last 9 months has taught me not to take employment for granted, which I think my entire generation has learned the hard way now. But I count myself incredibly lucky by any stretch, as more than one running blogger I follow is still looking for a new job or worried about their current job.

Anyway, with my job schedule largely under control (I no longer have to be at work at 7AM, which frees up that early morning for running), and the CFA at bay for a few months at least, I'm determined to not only get back to running, but to really get myself back in shape. I'm definitely out of shape and softer than I was six months ago, and I want to get that fat off and my times down for the fall.

I have no illusions, though. Six months away from running takes its toll and I'm comfortable with the fact that I need to essentially start from scratch in terms of speed, distance and length of runs. Right now, I have a nice and easy 2 mile route mapped out that I intend to follow until it's truly an easy run. Right now, that's not the case, but that's OK.

I also intend to take advantage of the gym at my office. For $25 a month I get a well-equipped gym that I should really start using for cross training after work a few days a week. We move to our new digs in September, so I'm hoping that our new gym in the building will be bigger and better...and still absurdly cheap compared to the Maryland Athletic Club across the street!

So, my goal would be to run my third annual Baltimore Running Festival race, but I don't know if the half is in the cards. Granted, I have just over 90 days between now and then so who knows how things will proceed. At the very least, I'll be in good condition for the 5K and can maybe find some longer races during the fall with the hope of running the Flying Pig half or Frederick next spring...who knows. But at least I'm gotten back out there and I already feel so much better than I have for many months.