I’m not an athlete.
If you’ve seen me speak before, you’ve probably heard my athletic history:
I played soccer.
One day at practice a kid kicked the ball the same time as me. I flew and hit a metal sprinkler breaking my collar bone. The only game my team won that year was the one I didn’t play in.
I played baseball.
During one game the coach told me to bunt. I did. The ball hit the bat, flew back, and hit me in between the eyes. When I came to, they let me have first base (weird since technically I hit a foul).
I tried gymnastics.
After listening to the instructions from the coach, I attempted a move on the high bar and failed in a beautiful accident that makes me still question my ability to have children.
I tried out for basketball.
In middle school I was the only kid cut on the first day because apparently the granny shot wasn’t the best strategy.
I was a starter for my middle school volleyball team.
The largest picture I’ve ever had in a yearbook sits right next to the headline Fun Despite Limited Number of Boys Volleyball Wins. Yep, I was the poster child for a losing team.
I’ve mentioned this before in countless speeches and in a posting on my website back in December of 2003. Back then I thought I’d take on the huge challenge of completing a marathon. I joined Team In Training and completed the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon on June 6, 2004. My training didn’t go too well and I battled several injuries. However, with the help of some incredible people in the Team in Training organization, I was able to be at the starting line in San Diego. In a single day, I’ve never been so challenged, discouraged, encouraged, and amazed by the capacity of compassion, the human heart, and our own level of endurance. The marathon was all about completion. I did it and that doubt is forever removed from my mind.
Here’s the problem. It’s been almost 5 years. Sure, I’ve talked other family members and friends into competing in an endurance event, but I haven’t done much. In fact, I’ve let my “on the road” lifestyle really take a toll on my own health. I’ve let restaurant portions and days on airplanes expand my waistline. I’ve let my love of pop culture get in the way of my time at the gym. I did get into pretty decent shape in 2007 with the help of a trainer, but all that progress slipped away shortly after my move to Arizona.
Last year, I watched my cousins Adam & Kari cross the finish line at the Disneyland ½ Marathon and I started to get excited about the possibility again. In January, I walked the PF Chang’s ½ Marathon with my mom and dad and experienced firsthand the very definition of perseverance. My mom is an incredible woman! I really want to incorporate her drive into my own life.
So here’s the deal:
I’m going to run the Disneyland ½ Marathon on September 6, 2009.
I know I can complete it as I’ve already done a full marathon, so I want to raise the stakes a bit. It took me 6:24:18 to complete 26.2 miles in San Diego. My ½ marathon time that day was 2:51:09. I’d like to complete the Disneyland ½ Marathon in less than 2:24:00. I’d be taking off about two minutes from my pace time. It’s a pretty big jump, especially since I haven’t been running regularly in five years.
I know it isn’t going to be easy. Phoenix isn’t friendly for summer running. August is a busy travel season for me, and I’ll have to do several training runs in unfamiliar cities. I am in worse shape than I was when I started training in 2004.
So I’m starting early and removing the excuses.
Today is Day 1.
The ½ marathon is on Day 130.
Most ½ marathon training guides are based around 70-84 days, so I have more than enough time. The additional time will allow for some more strength training to hopefully prevent some of the same injuries I had in 2004.
I’ll write about the progress each Thursday. I promise to share the ups and the downs of the experience.
If all goes as planned, I’ll complete the Disneyland ½ Marathon in just under an 11 minute mile, which at least at this moment is the Happiest Pace on Earth for me.