Why 796.424?

Among the many hats I wear is that of librarian. More specifically I'm a public librarian.  (And even more specifically, a children's librarian.)

For the most part, I am assigned to a particular branch, the Laurel branch library in Prince George's county.  It's a fairly new facility (opened to the public 11-28-2016)

But back to "Why 796.424"? Like many public libraries, my system uses the Dewey decimal system. And in Dewey, 796.42 is "Track and Field" and 796.424 is "Long Distance Races".

While I may not be fast** I have learned to my surprise I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of longer distances. (Nothing against 5ks or less -- but it takes me a mile or two to feel warmed up and in the groove and that's the best part of a 5k.)

** that's especially true these days... that I'm not fast.   At one point I had lost as much as 60 lbs on Weight Watchers, then after being attacked while on a training run (grabbed and groped, fortunately nothing more!)...  it affected my confidence, my ability to run outside and many other things... so I regained all the weight I had lost, plus.  My highest weight ever on my home scale was 279.6 (4-17-2016) 

This past year (2017) has seen me go down about 30 lbs, then gain most of that back.  (A doctor's office recently put me at 272.6 on 10-16-2017... by comparison my own home scale the day before said 269.6.   I believe the 3 lb difference is from weighing naked at home vs fully clothed (with shoes) at the doctor's office.

So this blog now is to document my progress as I work to lose weight and regain my running speed and mojo.  I am literally starting from square 1 (though it feels like square zero or even negative one!!)  I need to work on everything -- diet and exercise.   I intend to start with walking, then run/walk.   I want to get back to running... then running 5ks, 10ks, half marathons... and I do have it in mind that one day I will run a full marathon.   That's 26.2 miles or 42.195 kilometers for you non-running folks.

So that's why 796.424.... the Running Librarian. ;)