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My favorite magazine, Business 2.0, will be shut down after its October issue. This saddens me greatly. Bus 2.0 had everything (well basically) I wanted in a professional magazine. It combined my three (work related) loves: software/web, business, and entrepreneurship.

Now I have the painstaking task of finding a replacement. I have heard Inc was a good small business and entrepreneurship mag, but I do not know if it has enough techie or webbie related, err, stuff.

I guess I could always convert to reading more blogs. The problem with that is I spend too much time at a computer as it is - probably 10 hours a day or more during the week.

I think I would like to get an outdoorsie like magazine too. I don’t just what Runner’s World or Bicycling. I would like something which encompasses many outdoor activities: running, cycling, swimming, hiking/backpacking - including random tidbits like Frisbee golf.

I may have to make a trip to Barnes & Nobel for only thing it is good for a reference guide. Also does anybody out there have any suggestions to fill my two huge voids.

I just got a postcard from REI saying my bike needs a tune-up. I am not sure if all bike shops give out free tune-ups after some set time period on new bikes, but REI does as part of the warranty. Does anybody know if this is standard?

I am wondering if they will fix my bike given the condition it is in. I should go in and tell them I think the wheels are out of alignment.

Last week, I said I was thinking of training for the Portland Marathon. Well I decided, sort of. Should I start running? The answer, obviously since I am writing this, is yes. I will figure out if I actually want to race or race the marathon later, probably this winter sometime.

For now, I am just going to get in shape. My goal at this point is to get strong enough where I can run six days a week for an hour which I estimate at 55-60 miles a week.

I am not going to be able to just jump into that distance, pace, or schedule off the bat. To get there, I want to run a minimum of three days in a row, hopefully four, and ideally six. The maximum days - once I am more in shape - will be 10-14 days without a rest day. One day off is also ideal with two being max. I am starting with 10-15 minute runs and have run three of the last five days. So far, it flat out hurts. That will get better and is already slightly easier. In a week or two, I think I will be strong enough to run five or six days in a row and will then add more distance gradually. I am thinking a stair step progress will be best for me, knowing my past and where I was to be in the future. This means adding five to 10 minutes per run every few weeks. Let’s say by October I will be running 20 minutes six days a week, 30 by November, … you get the idea.

I am also going to be lift weights. I bought a set of dumbbells a few months back and plan to do upper body four days a week and legs three days a week. With running a weights I think I will get to a good base by Christmas.

As I go, I will have updates and explain my workout schedule a bit more. Wish me luck. Also if you have any questions or comments along the way for my workout style, please ask.

Full Title: How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
ISBN: 0671027034
Get it cheap.

Summary: The title of this book explains everything which is this book more concisely than I could ever do. Either way, here are some more words to back it up. Carnegie uses anecdotal evidence to show how to explain your opinion without tell people what to do, know everybody and have them follow you everywhere, get people to do whatever it is you need them to do without asking - just to name a few - and 27 other life lessons to explain his point of achieving interpersonal relationship success. These lessons were primarily designed for use in the business world, but even Carnegie states they should be used elsewhere, everywhere, and often.

What I thought: The 30 gems which are called chapters within this book cannot be overlooked. Anybody who deals with any person other than herself needs to read this book. I am pretty sure that is all of us - unless you live in a cave. If you care even the slightest about truly influencing people or just being respectful of the needs around you, pick up this book.

Back in high school, I ran track and cross country for three years each. I also got injured four times in those three years and eventually hung up my shoes so to speak since then. It has been five or five and a half years since I ran on a regular basis. The thing is I loved it.

Very few sports give the option for personal (as apposed to team) drive and satisfaction. On the competitive side, only you, the runner, can be blamed for ‘failures’. Quite often, only you can push yourself further, requiring not only determination but also will.

Training is also very relaxing. Few activities allow a person to just sit back and think about whatever or forget everything else in life.

It is also very very good for your general health, and, if done correctly, an entire body workout.

With all of that said, I am thinking of starting running again. Not just for the health and relaxation benefits but also for the competition portions. I am even willing to take it step past that and say I am going to run the Portland Marathon. I just do not know if I really want to. I cannot give a reason why I would or would not run it.

Any comments from all of you out there?