It's the new year and newspapers, television, magazines and other media outlets are running ads and stories about resolutions, getting in shape, fitness, losing weight, etc. It's ironic that most of the ads are for short-term fast results, while profile stories are about those who took a year or more to change their lifestyle and adapt their life to a healthier mode. That was my goal when I began running -- to change my lifestyle. My doctor, who is my age and a runner, said that 50 is not too old to become a runner.

I'm still working on that goal. I'm not "there" yet. Until I'm running at least three times a week and running is as routine as brushing my teeth, I'm still working toward the goal. The challenge is not the physical aspect of running, I happen to love being outdoors and feeling the power of movement. The challenges are real-time extraneous factors: changes in schedules, weather, temperature, workload, and such. Some of this I can control, and some I cannot. Attitude toward it all, though, is within my realm of control and that's where I begin the new year, with a new attitude.