WHY AM I DOING THIS?!?!

OK, so here's the deal. I've done lots of endurance events since I was in Middle School. On a dare/bet from a classmate, I ran my first 10K when I was 14 and finished it in 52 minutes with no training. AN ENDURANCE JUNKIE WAS BORN! From then on, I loved it! I ran track and cross country in high school, along with lots of road races and running events. In the Air Force, I continued that habit and started riding/racing bikes. I am overly competitive, to say the least! Even after the military and during/after college, I continued to compete. Basically, I was game for any event that would hurt a lot and sounded like fun!!! Competive accomplishments at this time of my life were many, and included:

• Running - 4:23 mile
• Running - 10:15 2-mile
• Running - 16:12 5K
• Running - 36:00 10K
• Lots of age group and overall wins!
• Too many road and mountain bike races to list

As life progressed and I started a family and had children, time became tougher to find, but I still liked to compete. That means that I have done a load of races/events with little to no training - I think there should be a competitive class that requires little to no training - I WOULD ROCK! I usually go out and compete like I think I'm still 20 years old and train 6 days a week! The list of those accomplishments/stupid choices are too long to list, but many of you have been involved in them with me.

Anyway, it has been a desire of mine for a long time to run a marathon - particularly before I turn 40. For those of yu that aren't running term savvy, a marathon is 26.2 miles, or 26 miles 385 yards, or 42, 195 meters, or 138,435 feet. Why I didn't do this when I was young and more prepared I will never know! Nonetheless, I'm going to play with the cards I've dealt myself. The San Antonio Marathon is on November 15th. Thanks to a crazy feeling I had personally and encouragement from many of you, I signed up to run. That means I have a whole 79 days to prepare for it. I could go out today and walk a marathon, but I would really prefer to show up semi-prepared and make someone hurt besiddes just myself! My running base is pretty short, but I hope/have to build up some endurance quickly!

I hope you'll all check back often for updates here. I plan to post my progress daily or nearly daily. I'll log my weight, distance, speed, dog bites, twisted ankles, blisters, heat exhaustion, etc. Hopefully I can entertain you a bit and you can keep me motivated so I don't wuss out like an 8-year-old girl! No offense intended to any of you 8-year-old girls out there! :-) I need your support and encouragement. Speaking of, thanks in advance to my lovely bride Patti and my kids Alex, Zachary and Abigail for being OK with me taking the time to do this right. You don't wanna see daddy being carried across the line on the sag wagon or find me in the medic's tent at mile 12 with IV Fluids!

RUN HARD!