Greetings!

Hello!

This blog is about me losing my mind and deciding to become a distance runner. Along with being a husband, father, software engineer, sports photographer, part-time track and cross-country coach at my daughter's school and small business owner. Needless to say I have zero free time. If you have some spare time please send it to me! :)

I lost my mind in April of 2007 when I decided I needed a goal in order to lose some weight and get my body back into shape. I went to my doc for my annual checkup in May of 2007. He asked how things were going and I said I was ready to train for a goal. When I said I wanted to run a marathon at age 45 he smiled and said 'well ok then.....'. He said as long as my wheels (legs) could handle the training I should go for it. So, June 1st was the start date for this brain-damaged trek.

Since losing my mind I have completed my first marathon and four half marathons. The first three half marathons were done as training runs leading up to my full marathon.

Brain damage appears to be permanent with regards to this whole distance thing. I have learned (quickly) that training is time consuming if done properly. But, I have the support of my family and the desire to continue improvement of my pace. The only break I've taken has been a 5 week period after my first full marathon. During the first full I managed to severely strain my LCL (Lateral-Collateral Ligament) on my right knee (outter side). I was fortunate to finish given the injury but nobody was going to talk me out of finishing that day. I had put 8 months of hard work into it and wasn't about to DNF on my first attempt. So, my time (5:26:56) wasn't stellar by no stretch of the imagination...but, I completed it and that was the primary goal.

This summer I found a 'maintance plan' that involves maintaining a 21-25 mile per week base. It includes a weekend long run of 7-9 miles. I stuck to this plan diligently. As I head into winter I have begun a 16 week plan for my next full marathon. I will attempt the same marathon in 2009....the Snickers Marathon in Albany Georgia on March 7th. I'm excited about this second time because I'll be more physically fit and know so much more than I did going into my first marathon.

So, stay tuned here for more running rants and reviews from my world.

Tommy