I was going to run a marathon a year for ten years starting
with Honolulu Marathon of 2001.
I was running with the gang of amateurs – and I fit in quite
nicely.
I always ran on Tuesdays, and on the evening of Sept. 11,
2001, I was so angry that I ran and ran even after my Achilles tendon nearly
popped.
Unable to walk for six weeks and not much caring about a “stupid
race,” I put my goal on hold until the following year.
I ran my first marathon in 2002, and this December, I will
finally run in the Honolulu Marathon – and reach my goal of “Ten in Ten.”
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| http://www.honolulumarathon.org/?s=home |
For the next fifteen Mondays, I’ll be posting something
related to my “training” and the adventures behind my first nine marathons.
(I ran one once without a lick of training, ‘cos I wanted to
see what would happen…)
Please don’t think this is going to be all serious and dry, and
full of nutritional tips, ‘cos it won’t be, I promise.
(Although drinking warm beer served at Mile Marker
18 at Disney World’s race did fill me up.)
I’m not all about beating personal times – my only goal is
making the finish line before the cleanup trucks catch up with me!
Next Monday: How a random blind date during a group run
ended in marriage (!!!) and how the person who set us up in Long Beach became
our Discharge Doctor for No. 3 Son here in Hawaii J
PS... If anyone will be running in Honolulu... let me know!!!
We can be TEAM BLOGISFEAR :)
23 comments:
Oh heck, I'm joining you at Mile Marker 18!
Ummmm. I don't even know where to start. 10 Marathons? Have you been to see a shrink lately? Good luck in Honolulu! I'm looking forward to the next 15 Mondays.
Awesomness! Looking forward to next week's story! :D
Warm beer? Blech! lol! I can do cold dark beer now and then. Anything amber has to be ice cold and I never finish it cause it gets warm. Warm and yellow and...never mind.
I used to love to run. I've only done a few marathons. The best I can do is a fast walk these days--might have something to do with the doctor sitting me down (in a wheelchair which was the only thing to sit on) and talking sternly to me no more running. Then introducing me to a cane. Then asking me how the wheelchair felt. Yah, he has a warped sense of humor and believes in props.
Looking forward to your tales and adventures.
Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE
Exercise. Fascinating. I could watch people do it all day.
Good luck and good for you. I'll try to refrain from all "marathon runners are crazy" comments. Well, one or two may slip out. Really I wish I could run more. It's so healthy and runners seem to like it, but between arthritis in hips and knees and asthma I just can't get far.
Mark, that's such a huge accomplishment! I began running 4 years ago--just for cardio fitness. I couldn't run a mile, so I did the walk a minute, run two thing for the first several months.
I literally never thought I'd be able to do it proficiently. Now I run 3.5 miles 3-4 times a week! Amazing what we can do with our bodies if we invest the time and effort into it.
Best of luck to you in the marathon, and a massive congrats on reaching such a lofty goal.
EJ
Good luck! I have a bunch of marathoner friends but content myself with 4 miles a couple times of week. Wish I could be there to cheer you on!
I don'r run anywhere for anything, but I am impressed by goal setters like yourself!
Furthest I've ever run is eight miles. Actually, it was a slow jog, and a couple of speedwalkers passed me.
I was just talking to someone yesterday about how the 9/11 attack changed everything. I was sitting in my car at 7:30 am PST listening to the radio, ready to go to work, and I heard someone in the background say, "The second tower is coming down." Peter Jennings said, "Oh my God."
Awesome Mark. It's my goal to run a marathon too. I'm shooting for spring 2014. Good luck and I'm looking forward to your run posts! (:
You're wearing me out just reading this! Seriously this is awesome, look forward to reading your next post.
I'll just watch with Martin. I'm looking forward to the stories and marathons are definitely a great way to exercise, socialize and help a good cause. Not for me but I'll man the phone lines, dig ditches and just about anything else. Cause if I'm running...you better run too.
You're just full of surprises! :D
Run for me, too, Mark. I've always liked running but could never do it, due to a medical restriction from 'marathon sports' since I was a kid.
Everything of the best! Sounds like you have it worked out though...
Oh my goodness! Is there anything you don't do? You never cease to amaze me. I suck at running. Yes - SUCK.AT.IT! It doesn't help that I hate it. If you put me in the middle of a soccer or basketball game, then I can run... kinda :P
Good luck with your training!
Wow, what an admirable goal. I just try to work out regularly.
...
I can swim now. Stupid back brace. I really DESPISE being inactive.
That's so awesome about the marathon!! My mom ran one in Alaska a few years back and actually did pretty well.
I have nothing but admiration for you crazy people who do it. Sadly, I don't think my back injuries will ever allow me to run 26.2 miles.
Maybe a 5k. 10k if I want to push it ;)
Good for you! That is my philosophy for my half marathons. Just to finish. I've done about seven or eight halves now. Including a number at Disney :)
Good luck to you! I look forward to your posts!
I should totally fly over to Hawaii just to do this marathon with you, but I suck at running and the clean up truck would catch up to me before I get half way to the finish line. That's totally awesome that this will be your tenth year in a row! Great work :)
I run, but my personal best is three miles without stopping - a miracle for me! Good luck and congratulations on meeting that humongous goal!
Count me in...no..uh..now that think of it...count me out. But I will be there at the finish line to A. clap for you B. Ridicule you by telling you to hurry up "slow-poke" C. hand you a beer or D. all of the above
Hi Mark .. have fun and you obviously are .. just don't linger at no 18 with Alex discussing CassaStar ... you need to finish the race and that 10 year goal.
Sounds fun - looking forward to the posts .. cheers Hilary
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