I'm stiff and sore today, but it's a good thing. This past week, I ran down to the gym and back a couple of times -- my first visits to that facility in quite a while.

I needed that. I woke up on the Feast of Stephen softer and weaker than in years. I had thought that the sabbatical trek I made to the Bay Area this fall would provide ample opportunity for exercise, but it turned out that the free moments were spent recovering from the rigors of constant jet travel. I took a few jogs around the neighborhood I was staying in down there, and there was a good deal of walking in my routine, but aerobic exercise was infrequent indeed. And for upper body strength, there was nothing.

It's been a lackluster year for me in the fitness department -- only 100 miles run, as opposed to 269 just three years ago. Not surprisingly, that packs an extra five to 10 pounds on a guy at my age. But at least it was something; I'd hate to see what the mirror revealed if I didn't get sweaty at all.

I'm determined that 2007 is going to be different. I've reacquainted myself with my favorite running route and weight circuit, and I'm hopeful that I'll soon get into a groove. I'm going to pick up a new pair of running shoes in the next few days. I won't be alone in my resolution, of course. While the gym was pretty empty the day after Christmas, the activity was definitely picking up yesterday afternoon. It will no doubt be a madhouse come Tuesday.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the aches and pains I've earned so far. Like they say: No pain, no gain.