Week 1 Day 2

I am a marathoner. Today I woke up on time, put on my clothes, grabbed my Gatorade, and headed out the door. I was the first one there this morning, which is great considering what happened yesterday. I was excited this morning. I remembered the camera. I couldn’t wait to see the guys in order to get started. I was hydrated. I was dressed right. I was pumped. I was also in the wrong place! I went to the wrong running spot! I couldn’t believe I made two big mistakes in two days! At any rate, I finally remembered where I was supposed to be and headed there. I was still there in time for the run. Everyone was there and everyone gave their all. We ran 4 miles today, which is the farthest I have ever run. It’s hard to believe I will even top that this coming Saturday when we run 5 miles. I was also excited that I remembered to hydrate with 6-8 ounces of fluid at the 15-20 minute mark. I thought it would feel weird to drink and continue running, but after just one burp about 30 secs later, I was good. Tomorrow is a rest day and I am looking forward to it!

Week 1 Day 1

I am a marathoner. Today was the big day. Today was the day I have been waiting for for about six weeks now. Today was the culmination of a life-changing decision, three friends, new clothes, and some who laugh at what I am going to do. Today was the begining of a journey. Today was the day I was to break self-made boundaries. Today was day one of marathon training. Today was the day I overslept. I now right!?!?! The problem was that I stayed up till 2am writing a paper, set my alarm, but didnt turn it on. Not only did I wake up one minute before my run was to start, but I was supposed to bring the camera and in my dash out the door, I even forgot that. Fortunately *taller than me* texted me to wake me up. So, *the starter*, *taller than me*, *the red headed greek*, and Mike all ran there three miles today. Everyone did better than they expected. Tomorrow--four miles. I have never ran that far! thats ok--I am a marathoner.

Night Before Marathon Training

Well, here I sit at 2015 the night before I embark on perhaps the greatest physical feat I have ever tried to conquer, but I am not afraid. I am a marathoner. I will be reading and using the training guide from "The Non-runner's Marathon Trainer." The goal: fininsh the marathon. The goal is not how fast I run and not what place I come in. The goal is to complete my first marathon. I will. I am a marathoner. This will be a time consuming, life-altering challenge, but I have no fear for I am a marathoner. Additionally, I set out tomorrow with help: friends. Me and three others have been pre-training for about six weeks now. It started with one person (we'll call him the starter), who then got me started (we'll call me Mike--that's fitting.) . Then, we picked up another (taller than me we'll call him). Finally, another pal hopped on board (the red-headed greek). Together we will be marathoners. On January 11, 2010 we will complete our first marathon. We will start at 0555 and run 26.2 miles through the four kingdoms at Walt Disney World. I can already picture us all coming across the finish line with our hand sin the air. Why should you follow this blog? To watch as four ordinary men conquer self-made boundaries. We're not long distance runners, yet. Some of us don't even like running. However, liking or not liking to run has nothing to do with a marathon. "Training for and running a marathon is not a single event; rather it is an experience. It is a discovery of self that will forever change your perceptions, perspectives, priorities, and possibilities. You will meet yourself at what you thought were the boundaries of your potential and endurance and watch in awe as they evaporate to reveal only open expanse. To know that the only boundaries in life are those which we create ourselves is a discovery which can not be taught--it must experienced" That from my book. Well, tomorrow is the day I have been waiting for for six weeks. I am a marathoner. Are you? You could be. You really could be!