17:17

Ah, winter snow.  Undoubtedly it creates some memorable views, such as this shot across the frozen river behind my office.  A peaceful resting ground on the other side!

But when you get a couple of large snowstorms over a few days, it gets challenging to find sidewalks that are clean enough to pass.  Taking a walk at lunchtime becomes an obstacle course of icy patches, puddles where snow is melting from the applied salt, and impassable banks that force me to walk around on the street.  Yes, this is reason #187 to doubt my runner credentials: I don't really run during winter.  The rail trail is not maintained in winter, and sidewalks are as I just mentioned.  Street running in winter; well, you take your life in your hands with that.

In fact, shoveling snow is usually the most intense workout I get during the winter months.  This, it is well-known, is a terrible fitness plan.

As an alternative, I do own a treadmill, but I am usually not motivated to spend a long time with it.  I'd much rather be active outside!

Recently I decided to check out running in Wii Fit U.  It's really easy; just hold a Wii remote in your hand or pocket and run in place!

-- I get treated to fine winter views, just like a real race.

-- I get passed by my daughter, just like a real race.

-- I get cheered by bystanders at the end of the race (runners who finished long before me).

Wii Fit U running scores points for creativity and a fun rendering of the real life activity.  Is it enough to keep me interested during the snowy winter months?  Probably not.  Is it a real running workout?  Also probably not.

Hey, there's one sure sign that Spring is just around the corner, and that's the Shamrock Shake.  Now comes in tasty chocolate!

18:22

Somebody needs to tell Tom Brady and the Patriots to stop putting on a great show every Sunday, because I don't think my body can take it anymore!  And what I mean by that is that my numero uno weakness in life is the availability of delicious food -- and all the great opportunities to consume large quantities of it.  If you're one of the few poor souls who decides to follow this blog, well, food will be a prominent part of it.

In fact, I also hold the title for worst runner in the world. Yes, I am the runner who, in 2011 after finishing his first 5K since college, celebrated with a beer with his colleagues and then still felt famished after arriving home so went out again for a Big Mac. I'm also the guy who, last year, decided not to let the Chicago Marathon stop me from sampling Stan's Donuts the day before the race.  Okay, three donuts.  The big kind.  In addition to my traditional pre-race Chipotle burrito bowl dinner.  After the race, I rested for an hour in the hotel and then did what I like to do most.  I ate three quarters of a small Gino's deep dish pizza.  Come on, it's Chicago, right?

Look, some runners can live and train on McDonald's and get away with it.  I am not one of those guys.  I get it.  The extra belly weight I'm carrying around prevents me from being a better runner and is generally not good for my health.  There are plenty of reminders of this everyday from news articles, pharma companies, and the internet in general.  Last year I did make an effort to try to manage my food consumption, and joined two different programs.  By the end of the year, though, I realized that I just wasn't ready for it.  I'll probably write more about those dietary experiences later.

Which brings us back to the Patriots -- here we are on another Super Bowl Sunday and I'm about to sit back to hopefully watch Tom Brady win his record-making fifth Super Bowl ring, and heck ya, I'm gonna eat!

Pre-game snack plate, a Harry and David gift set from my favorite sister that I've been saving for this exact moment!

Game time meal, tacos!  Go Pats!