It begins

I have now oficially registered for the marathon.
My bib number is 5728. I'm already nervous. Admittedly, though, it's hard to feel the sense of urgency to get out there and train when the stupid thing is 5 1/2 months away. And training for a marathon isn't something you can just go out and do in 6
weeks.

My registered charity is, once again, Child Advocates. This year's fundraising goal for the marathon is $150.

2 really cool things happened over the weekend. I got up at a stupid hour in the morning to run on Saturday. That was actually cool thing number 2. I ran 5 miles with the Houston Fit running club and chatted with my friend Carolyn. She will help to kick my butt into gear over the next few months.

The first really cool thing, though, happened right before I got out of bed. I found that motivation point that I can go to in order to motivate me out of my comfy bed. That point happens to be around mile 16.5 back in January. The complete, utter, desperate feeling of "I just can't"... pure defeat. That won't happen this time. That motivated me to roll out of bed. No matter how I sugar coat it (it was a heckuvan accomplishment) it was still short of the goal. This year, I finish. Period.

Despite the physical and individual nature of the marathon, it's really not about me. It's really about the 4000+ kids who are abused in Harris County each year. It's not about "look at me", but rather, "Look at them". The larger goal is not just to finish the marathon, but rather to run a good race for the organization and drawing attention to the work they do, so that one day they will no longer have to do that work. Defeating child abuse is not a sprint, but rather a marathon in itself. So far Child Advocates has worked for over 20 years tirelessly working on behalf of the least among us who have no voice. If it takes another 20 years or 100 years, they'll be there. But not without your help.
Check out the website: www.childadvocates.org
While you're there, commit to do something--anything. You won't regret it.

Different way of looking at 2005's failure

Ok, so I "only" ran 16.5 miles back in January. That's 10 miles short of a full marathon. Total failure.
HOWEVER...
They also have a 5k and a half marathon. Those two runs are approximately 16.5m. So, the other way of looking at things is that I ran the half and the 5k in 2005. The next challenge is the full marathon. This year, I finish. No excuses, no other option.
Today I either ride, swim, or lift. Tomorrow I run... run like the wind... a big, fat, pasty wind, but I run like the wind.

Feeling better

The ankle is almost completely healed--swelling is mostly gone, almost no pain.
Went swimming yesterday, today I'll be spending a little "me" time in the bar.
This weekend well feature a long-ish run of 3 to 6 miles. Friday may have a bike ride in store, or weight training, or swimming again. I'm not sure. It depends on my mood...

Monday I will officially register for the marathon, and then give more info on Child Advocates and such.

MS 150 is oficially done

My check has cleared the bank for the MS150. The amount I raised that will be matched for the marathon in $150, so here's the link: www.childadvocates.org (or mail a check to 2401 Portsmouth, suite 210, Houston, TX 77098).

More later.

Starting anew

Ran last night (see, I told you I was serious about this). Went 2 miles in 20 minutes. Haven't hardly lost a step... that is, until I rolled my ankle about 2/4 of the way through the run. Nothing major, just a little bit of pain. I can walk fine, it just hurts a bit. Maybe an omen? Maybe the worst I can expect? We'll see.
I felt good after the run. I still feel good today. I dropped another 1/2lb and I should break the 200lb mark by the end of the month. Goal is 185 or lower by race day.
Oh yea, they jacked up the entry fee, too. No bother, though. I'll still run, and finish, this year.

Insanity, Part II

Ok, riding a bike 150+ is insane. I’ve done that. Doing it again in 2 weeks is insane. Done it.
Riding 100 miles in a day is insane. Done it. Doing it in driving rain is insane. Done it. Doing it in 100 degree heat is insane. Done that, too.

Running a marathon is insane. I haven’t successfully done one of those. I am, in the general terminology, a quitter.

So, January 15 is the day of redemption. Training “officially” starts in 6 days, August 1, 2005. However, the pre-training has already begun. I’ve started swimming, lifting weights, and dropping weight in preparation. I’m already 5lbs below last year’s running weight. The goal it to pound the pavement at 185 or lower on race day.
Since the marathon earlier this year, I’ve only run 1.5 miles… on a treadmill… indoors… in front of a TV… but at least the Tour de France was on the tube.
The initial plan is to run at least 6 miles every weekend until the heat breaks, then kick it up to 12 or 13 in September or October. The rest of the week will be dedicated to strength and endurance building, as well as speed and cross training. During those days I'll be doing some running, some biking, some swimming, some weights, some something.
I’m going to try something a little different this year (like finishing).
I will again be running for Child Advocates, and I’ve already recruited at least 2 runners (more on them later).