I am going to run a Marathon?

My name is Jesse and I am going to run a marathon... It has been well over a year and a half since my last marathon. During my eleventh marathon in Victoria B.C., Canada, I broke the three hour barrier for the first time. A goal that I had been working on for well over seven years.

A lot of things have changed since that last race. I've gained about 15 lbs, I drink a lot more and more often. Unbelievably, I even started smoking again. A habit that up until about four months ago, I had kicked for well over three years.

If there was ever a time to make a change, now is it! If there was ever a time to start running again, now is it! I think that I was so preoccupied with reaching the "3 hour goal" that I lost sight of all the benefits a runner's lifestyle brings. With running, as with any exercise, there is no "shelf life," if you don't use it, it goes bad.

Currently I do something active on average of about two or three times a week. Not bad, but not great; especially considering that I sit at a desk all day. During last December I spent a lot of time thinking about running another race, so I started doing more active things in preparation. I must admit that even just three or four months ago I was active maybe once a week. A far cry from a three hour marathoner.

Why have I started this blog? There are several reasons, but the main reason is that I want this to be a source of inspiration for you and me. I have found that most people already know what they should be doing they just usually need a nudge to get going and to stay with it.

I'm going to chronicle my experiences over the next four months of training leading up to the Marathon. I'm going to be very candid, especially regarding my lifestyle. I will let you know what I personally think works and doesn't work. Take my experiences and make them your own. Hopefully you will like it. Please feel free to comment on anything I say openly.

My goals are these:

1. Quit smoking once again.
2. Seriously reduce the amount that I drink, especially binge drinking.
3. Do something physically active six days a week that prepares me for the Vancouver marathon (I believe that everyone needs at least one day a week off).
4. Eat better. Less fatty simple foods. More protein and complex carbs.
5. Write in this blog after every workout.

If running a marathon is something that you have always wanted to do, there is no time like now!

"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is today." -R.J. Parry

Keep your first workouts (over the next 6 weeks) light and easy. Run short and often. Think how far you should run today... now cut that in half, but make sure you do it tomorrow too. If you don't want to run in the morning, don't. Go when you can and when you feel like it. Run with music. Enjoy yourself and how you feel when your body is moving. Walk during your runs if you need to. Breath deep!

"My first understanding was that you could not become a distance runner quickly. I began gradually, not doing too much." - Henry Rono, champion runner

Happy Running....