Last month, I set a goal of burning 20,000 calories in August. I did it. Two days ago, I realized I was under 50 biking miles short of 400 for the month (100 per week average… that’s a good milestone). Never mind I was fighting off some sickness or allergy and couldn’t even work (took a half day today)… I did it. Smart? Nah. Driven? Yes. Dumb? Yes. The monthly totals…

26.94 miles run. Fewer than last month. I really need to work on this, but biking is eating a lot of time. Highlighted by a 20:46 5k in the start of the month and lowlighted by a walking effort at a 4.5mi race.

402.75 miles biked. Previous best was 232.95. I really redefined myself as a cyclist this month (instead of a runner). I’ve picked up a few miles per hour on all my rides; 20mph for a 30-miler is not much of a task (when I started a few months ago, 16 was a task). This distance would have gotten me to Boston.

3 miles in the pool. I lost a lot of time here due to a back injury that kept me sidelined for a good two weeks.

Total calories burned? 24,331 or 7lbs. I lost only 3lbs or so and didn’t eat particularly badly so my body fat percentage has likely taken a dive. My previous best month was only 19k calories in August of 2008. The biggest thing? I accomplished my goal of losing 11lbs, which I set in the beginning of May… I ended up losing 13 instead

I really need to get to the gym more next month… I lost of a lot of strength due to the back injury… At $15/visit last month, it wasn’t very economical.

Next month? No goals other than not putting any weight back on. I’m traveling for approximately half the month and will be out of town every weekend… Mileage numbers will tumble, but what can ya do? I’ve worked my “butt” off (literally) for the past four months; time to vacation and reward myself.