Ten years ago I made myself a promise.
I was going to run a marathon a year for ten years starting with 2001 Honolulu Marathon.
This is the second week of a series that follows my journey that ends with the 2012 Honolulu Marathon.
I’m planning to also tie the marathons with my writing, but I can’t think of any comparisons…
(OK, I can, but I'm spreading the wealth... there’s fourteen weeks left and I’ve only done nine marathons, so I’ve got six "extra" weeks J)
Weekly Training Status Update:
This Week’s Current Weight: 207Last Week’s Previous Weight: 211
Existing Excuse For Weight Gain: (HA! None needed.)
Miles scheduled: 9
Miles ran: 6
Current Conclusion: I suck
How did I get started was a popular question and it’s all
because I wanted to shake up my then-yucky life.
I had a friend called Dennis who died of AIDS in the late
1990’s, so when I researched the various charities who would help volunteers
run, I decided to run (raise money) for a Los Angeles-based AIDS research group.
When the hundreds of us met for orientation, we were all
asked to run three miles at our own pace. This I did, and found myself in a
group of about twelve people from all different backgrounds and ages.
We met as strangers, but as time ran by, we became friends
and all but one went on to finish the Honolulu Marathon of 2001.
Me.
As mentioned last
week, I nearly popped my Achilles tendon and was forced to quit the
training, but I did raise the required money for the group, so the main goal was achieved.
Oh... one other, small thing happened after I hurt myself and
bailed out of the marathon, but continued running with the group. (I needed to figure out if I wanted to complete a
marathon…)
One of our gang, Tracy, invited one of her friends for our Saturday group run.
This friend, Sylvia, ran with us for only three sessions. On
the last Saturday, she asked if I wanted to go on a blind date with one of her friends (who liked Irish accents…)
Why not, sounds like fun, and
it’s only a blind date, right?
The blind date in Long Beach, Calif., turned into courtship
and nearly eleven years later, my wife and I are married more than eight years…
and what happened to Sylvia?
Happily married herself, she was the U.S. Army doctor in charge
of discharging our third son after he was born here in Honolulu.
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| Yo, Papa... Your head is so shiny, I need shades!
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16 comments:
Well, who says blind dates can't work out? :D Great story, Mark! :D
I admire people who do marathons. I can't run for more than a block at a time, so I can't even imagine anything that long. Good luck!
Small world that you would meet her again so far away!
Keep running. You can do that upcoming marathon.
Six miles is awesome. I can walk/hike that distance but I certainly can't run that far. Best of luck with your training!
What a sweet story, Mark. I met my husband on a blind date (course I went with protest and provisos, lol). Our courtship, 5 months and now married over 25 years--he's a man of a million voices and corny shticks.
You can do this Mark. Just keep running...
Sia McKye OVER COFFEE
What a lovely story. Keep running I admire anyone who does a marathan.
Beautiful! I met my husband on a blind date also! You just never know what the future holds! Thanks for stopping by my blog! ;)
Awwww, about your blind date!
I'd say you're doing great on your goals. Great "how you got started" story!
What a sweet story! And no, you don't suck. Just keep running and eating healthy and you'll do great. (:
When I was 24, I spent a summer in a French immersion program in Quebec to learn the language (still can't speak it, btw). Each morning, I would run along a path next to the large lake. When people ask how far I ran, my lousy French had me telling them I ran around the entire lake (which I didn't).
On the last day there, I decided to give it a try. I did run the entire distance, which turned out to be close to marathon distance. Glad I didn't know that before hand. :D
Good luck with yours, Mark!!!! I admire you for it.
Go you! That is quite the goal! Can't wait to follow your countdown journey to the marathon.
Well, you ran six miles and you lost four pounds. That makes you cool in my book! :)
Love this story!! Someday I'll manage a marathon--or probably more likely to die trying! (My mom's done 12 of them, so I gotta compete somehow!)
Love the story. I use to run marathons, not so much any more. That is the most adorable picture. :)
You. Will. Do. This.
!!!!!!
Totally impressive, Mark! Keep pushing, keep it going!
And the picture is beyond awesome! You always have such great posts! :D
Hi Mark - what a great story .. well done all round - delighted to see your third son and to find out Sylvia is still around to share life with your family ..
Keep on running - no excuses .. and I can see why my post inspired you .. glad I wrote it - cheers Hilary
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