Get the Lead Out

I ran a little over four miles today and damn, was it ever slow going. The day was beautiful, though. Its November and I don't know how many nice days like this are left before the bitter cold swoops down upon us.
It was a good start. I contacted the folks at Team in Training last month and found out that they require interested parties to attend a meeting next week. I guess I'll find out which races are avaliable and what kind of traingin method they use. Its a good cause and pretty well known, so I won't have much trouble convincing people I hit up for donations that the charity is real. (hint, hint)
So here it goes.

Miles: 4
Effort: above average

Yikes.

Its time for a healthy, honest dose of reality. Its one thing to sit at my computer and write with fervor that I will run a full marathon in 2006 and have a wonderful mental image of how it will all go, but its quite another to commit to conditioning myself to get through it.
Last night my friends and I went out on what I can only describe as a hilarious impromptu girls night bender. The amount of alcohol I consumed would fuel a small car and today I'm wandering around in a big cloud of stupid. Its one of those days where I get up to do something, but immediately forget my intentions when I'm on my feet. I couldn't run if I tried.
I need to overhaul my lifestyle if I'm going to get through this thing. But I secretly fear that I'll have to give up the good times with my friends. They'll support me in this, I know. If I tell them I can't go out boozing, they won't drag me kicking and screaming. I worry about my own discipline. When it gets down to it, I can't toss everything to the wind and expect everything to work itself out anyway.
While thousands of runners were completing the Chicago Marathon today, I was having a bloody-mary-brunch with the aforementioned friends. I thought this blog would act as a training log - tracking mileage, what I ate, and make a plan for the coming months. I know now that I have a lot to work through to keep myself on track.

Lets see how it goes, shall we?

Lets Begin With Research

Its amazing how many races there are across the US. I'm having a difficult time chosing one for a goal. The most outrageous one I found is the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Alaska! How cool would that be?! I could roll it into a vacation. Of course, I have no idea how my body will react to running a marathon or how many days I'll have to spend icing everything that moves. I may end up spending a week in an Alaskan Motel 6 watching the nature chanel instead of exploring.
I could stay local and do the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon next October, or go a little bit south to Indianapolis, or up to Wisconsin, or go to California for a marathon buffet, or go for broke and do Hawaii in December, or blow a ton of money and run through New York. I don't just want to run and go home. I want a bit of adventure. The Dublin Marathon is in October as well, over Halloween I believe. . . and lets not forget the new Las Vegas Marathon!

I Must Be Crazy

I've always been somewhat athletic, but never focused on anything. I can throw A 16" softball from third to first. I can throw a spiral and hit my receiver (or the guy intercepting.) I can hopscotch like a mad woman.

I've decided in the most recent of days that I will attempt a full marathon some time in 2006.

I don't know which, I don't know where. I don't know if I will do it on my own or join a charity organization to run for a cause (and someone to beat my ass if I become a slacker.) It'll take a minimum of 18 weeks to get ready.

I don't know when I will officially start training.

This blog will record my mental goings on and document the inevitable physical anguish.

In the meantime, here's my theme song:

There's a place up ahead and I'm goin'
Just as fast as my feet can fly
Come away come away if you're goin'
Leave the sinkin' ship behind.
CHORUS:
Come on the risin' wind
We're goin' up around the bend.
Ooh!
Bring a song and a smile for the banjo
Better get while the gettin's good
Hitch a ride to the end of the highway
Where the neons turn to wood.
[CHORUS]
Ooh!
You can ponder perpetual motion,
Fix your mind on a crystal day,
Always time for a good conversation,
There's an ear for what you say.
[CHORUS]
Yeah!
Ooh!
Catch a ride to the end of the highway
And we'll meet by the big red tree,
There's a place up ahead and I'm goin'
Come along, come along with me.
[CHORUS]
Yeah!

"Up Around the Bend" - Creedence Clearwater Revival