Long overdue!!!

To start off, let me say that my ankle recovery and my fitness in general have not progressed as I had hoped. A week or so ago, I posted a little about my frustration as well as a plan for getting out of this funk on HRB.com. I wanted to post the plan (not the frustration) here on my blog, too. Rather than a 1, 2, 3 step-by-step plan, I've set this up as a list of priorities. Here they are:

1. When I first started this list, this #1 priority was relegated to the end of my list. I had to put it back at the top. My #1 priority is to get my spiritual life in order. I know there are a lot of views out there and I'm not one to push my faith on anyone but as a matter of record, I must state here that without God, I can do nothing. Health and fitness are spiritual issues for me. For me, health and fitness allow me to serve my God, my family, and my community in a way that's just not possible in my current condition. So, I must 're-connect' to the Source of my strength and my discipline and my inspiriation.
2. Secondly, I MUST decrease the pressure and stress that I put on my ankle with each step. In other words, I've gotta lose this weight. I was reading that lbs/foot pressure increase exponentially with total body mass. If that's the case, then it should also decrease just as fast. I think this is the number one reason that my ankle has not healed. I'm not making excuses but it's kind of a catch-22 for me. I need to exercise to lose weight but I can't exercise because my weight keeps my ankle from healing properly. I am going to have to figure out and implement a strict weightloss regimen that frankly does not include running or walking. This will require even more discipline and planning. I can't splurge and then go out and run 6 miles like I could last winter. I'm going to have to work.
3. I need strength. The muscles that hold my ankle together and the muscles that support those muscles are in bad, bad shape. So, exercise-wise, I am going to start a 12-16 week concentrated strength training program. I dont' know what or where or how but I think this is a priorty that will get be me back to running with a good foundation.
4. I need flexibility. I MUST start back to stretching. Tight muscles don't help my gait and posture and in turn probably do more harm to my ankle.
5. I must re-engage my awesome community (Striders, HRB'ers, family). I've gotta get back on the blogs and boards and stay inspired. Most of all, I want to chronicle this comeback for others to draw on.
6. Lastly, and this may be the hardest. I'M NOT GOING TO RUN AT ALL!!! Until further notice, running is off-limits. I've got to break the cycle of 'well, I feel a little better... I think I'll go run...injury...take time off...feel a little better...I think I'll run...injury...take time off...' You all know the drill. Patience, patience, patience!!! I think if I take care of 1-5, I'll be ready to come back strong in April or May. Will that put me in a position for Houston '07? I don't know. I hope it does but I've got to do this first. And if I have to put my first marathon off 'till later in spring '07 or fall '07, sobeit.

Updates to follow!!!