I'm Back

So I haven't written in a while.  Not that anyone has noticed, I'm sure.  Since the Honolulu Marathon I have since run the LA Marathon, a 10K, a 12K and two half-marathons.  This Sunday I will be running the Long Beach Marathon.  Yes, my third marathon in less than a year after having run exactly none in 50 years. 

Yet, here's the thing.  I still find running to be one giant pain in the ass.  People keep saying to me, oh you're addicted now.  I'm not.  I'm very happy with the fact that I've lost over 30 pounds since I started running but an addict?  No, I can't say that I am.  Getting out the door to run is the hardest thing in the world for me.  The first ten minutes are painful.  I feel every ache and pain I've ever had in 51 years.  I have to tell myself each time, "Just get through the first ten minutes and everything will be alright."  And after ten minutes, it is (usually).  The blood starts circulating and things start to loosen up and sometimes I even get to the point where I actually enjoy the run.

But I keep waiting for it to get easier.  And it never does.  I hear about the "runner's high" all the time but I have yet to experience it.  Maybe I just don't push myself hard enough but it feels like I do.  I don't know.  I get discouraged a lot because I want to run faster like my friends but then I have to remind myself that my friends who run regularly are all 20 years younger than me and most of them have been running for a long time.  But it gets discouraging. 

So I'm going to run the Long Beach Marathon this Sunday.  I wish I was confident but I'm not.  And this is the first Marathon I've trained for by myself without being part of a group.  I've done two 20-mile runs by myself.  I'm proud of that fact but it was kind of lonely.  I'm hoping this Sunday the adrenaline kicks in and I'll just be motivated by the experience.  Plus it won't be 95 degrees like it often is in the San Fernando Valley so that should help.

Physically, I'm definitely ready to do this.  Mentally, it's a whole other ballgame.  The mental aspect is what gets me - the voice inside my head that tells me, you can't do this, who are you kidding.  You're too slow, too clumsy, blah, blah, blah.  Hopefully this Sunday, I can just go out, clear out the voices and enjoy the experience.

And take an hour off my LA Marathon time.  Hey, a guy can dream, can't he?

Wish me luck.

My Honolulu Marathon video

So I finally put together my Honolulu Marathon video.  Hope you like it.

Next up - the Los Angeles Marathon, March 20, 2010, also for APLA.  I finally found a cause at 50!  Check out my new Team To End Aids Fundraising Page.