Some advice that I found on running when you start to loose to confidence and not meeting goals. Some things to think about while your training for a 5k run:

Focus on achievable goals: Instead of setting a goal to run an in-month best time which may not be realistic right now, focus on a goal that is challenging yet realistic. For instance, to run a best time by the end of the month, you need to work on the back half of your race. So, set a goal of negative splitting your race. It is do-able and will set you up for fast racing later.

Recreate past successes: Go back, in your mind, to the last time when you were running well. Recall how you felt, what you said to yourself and how you focused when standing on the blocks getting ready to race. Try to recreate that now. Set the stage for your success. While a multitude of factors affect performance, your attitude and thoughts certainly have an influence.  Strive to recreate the "mental environment" that has proven beneficial.

Carry P's with you: P stands for Positives. When not running well, there is a tendency to be attuned to negatives; to focus on all the negative things that confirm you are not running well. For example, a runner who is struggling will get out of practice and remember the two missed intervals and how heavy his legs felt on the sprint set. You need to force yourself to acknowledge the P's - the positive, good things that occurred such as improvements in technique or feeling better than the day before. These P's should go with you to competitions to give you confidence that things are turning around.

If your looking for a good opportunity to get a close up picture of an American Bald Eagle, you should visit the Ecotarium in Worcester. You can see a couple of Bald Eagles outside the walkway as you walk into the museum. There are other animals available outside, but the day that I went it was too cold to walk around to see them.

This particular picture I took with my Sony- Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V and zoom in to the head of the eagle. This was easy to do since one of the eagles was sitting on an egg and not moving around as much. The zoom did manage to block out some of the cage netting.

The Ecotarium is located near Route 9 in Worcester and it about a 35 minute drive on Route 9 from Framingham. This is a fun place for families to learn all about the environment and science. There's lots of indoor and outdoor exhibits. I would definitely recommend going during a warm day since there's plenty of things to do outside. For $3 more you can ride the train around the property.

The Ecotarium is eligible under the ACM Reciprocal Network. As of April 1st, the Uniform Reciprocal Benefits changed so that up to 6 people now pay 50% of the cost of the museum. The old benefit had 100% off for 4 people.

I just signed up for the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge 5k race which will run on June 20, 2013. This is the first race that I have done since high school, many many years ago. Over the next few weeks I'll be training to make sure that I have a great race. I am not in it to win the race, just to have a great finish and a fun time on the way.

I just downloaded the 5K Training For Beginners - From Couch To 5k Runner In 8 Weeks Or Less by Jago Holmes, on my Kindle to help me get started on my journey. It's a good investment since I was able to borrow it free since I have Amazon Prime. The reviews and ratings are good. I downloaded the preview and think its a good read for the month.

I'll update this blog on my journey to get to the finish line. I am not taking this race lightly. I want to make sure that the race is fun and that in the process I get into better shape. One other positive side effect is that it will make the morning run to the train station a little bit easier.

I was talking to a fellow commuter rail rider yesterday, we chat every once in a while and we came up with five things that almost ever new Commuter rail users encounter.

Getting to the train station late

Plan to get to the station at least 10 minutes before the schedule arrival of your train. Don't be the one running as the train is leaving and yelling to the conductor to wait, they won't. Get there early and wait.

Not buying a train pass at South Station or Back Bay

If you get on at South Station or Back Ba. you will pay a $2 premium if you purchase tickets on the train. Get your ticket at the ticket booth and then wait for the train.

Not having the ticket available when the conductor is walking around

Have your ticket handy so when the conductor comes around they don't have to wait for you to find it. If you buy a pass, make sure to put it right back where you got it.

Wear the right shoes in rough weather

The train can be slippery when getting off and on and wearing high heels or shoes with no soles will only lead to a free fall. Pay attention to the stairs as you walk on and off the train.

Getting on the train is "every poor sucker for themselves."

This is mostly true when getting on the train at the Back Bay station. When the train arrives, everyone wants to get on to get that premium seat. Don't expect that everyone will get out of your way to get on the train. If you're going to be a while, because you have luggage or your slow on the stairs, wait for everyone else to get on.

Getting off the train is slightly different story, commuters are actually more friendly and will have no problem with you getting in front of them to get off the train.

Bring something to read/do on your ride

When you get on the train you may not have to opportunity to sit and look out the window. Bring a book or Kindle with you to read on your journey. Also keep in mind on some busy trip you may not have a seat.

If your looking for a good afternoon snack, stop by 5 Napkin on Huntington Ave. This is their menu plan for the unofficial happy hour. Massachusetts only ban Happy Hour for alcohol consumption, there's nothing wrong with having food as a happy hour:

Twice a day, 7 days a week! 4-7pm, and 9pm-close, in the bar area. $2 sliders (orig, veggie or turkey), 50-cent wings, $2 pork taquitos (4) and $2 hand rolls (spicy tuna & cucumber or spicy salmon & avocado)