I started running in January 2006. I moved from my previous hospital to my current one. I saved about 2 hours of commute time. That allowed me to start running and getting into shape. At the time a mile seemed a long way. When I ran a 5K in Feb 2006, I nearly passed out at the finish. Slowly I started to build up the mileage and ran a 8K and a 10K. I enjoyed the whole race experience, the runners, the cheering crowds, the reward ( food) at the finish. I decided to sign up for a half marathon and a full marathon... one week apart. The half was on Memorial Day 2006. The full was the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego, June 4, 2006. I didn't know anything about carbo loading or tapering. I assumed that if I could run 18 miles in my training runs, I could run a marathon. The half marathon went well. I came in under 2 hours, so I was quite pleased. I expected to run the full at a similar pace. I learned the hard way that there is a small gap between the 10K and the Half; but a large chasm between the Half and the Full. After mile 13, it was a struggle; and by mile 16 it was painful. I limped the last few miles to the finish. I thought never again. I've run a marathon, that's it. It took about 4 months for the painful memories to go away, and I had the desire to sign up for another marathon. (Las Vegas, 12/06)
After that I was hooked...
Amazing how far I have come since then. I had to overcome an ACL tear and subsequent Reconstruction. After months of PT and rehab, I started running marathons again and completed my first Ironman (Louisville 2010) with Team in Training. In 2011, I trained with Team in Training again and completed Full Vineman, IM Louisville, and IM Florida. This past month I ran RnR Las Vegas Marathon and the RnR Latin Music Half Marathon in Miami Beach. Good times. I think I enjoy racing more than training. Perhaps that is why I race so much. I have probably completed more than 30 marathons now, but I've lost track. Cycling for 5 hours doesn't faze me either. And I actually feel comfortable swimming in open water, although I can do without the mass swim starts.
My New Year 2012 Goals:
1) To Compete and Finish 4 Full Ironman Triathlons: CDA, CANADA, FL, and AZ.
2) To raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to hopefully one day find a cure for Cancer.
3) To become a better person during this process...
To be honest Goal #3 is the most important and probably the most challenging. But please help with Goal #2 if you are able to.
http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/ironca13/irondoc
