Thanks for all the great comments. I have been really pushing myself hard, and allowing very few cheats. I try to do something faster or harder than the day before, and it has really helped. I tell you I am even more motivated to keep my crazy pace going as long as I can. Slowly but surely I am finding the old me who used to really enjoy a great physical challenge, and pursue all sorts of adventures like climbing, caving and long distance hikes. By the time I'm done I want to be back to the physical condition I was after high school, with a few gray hairs...
JIM