So. It was a year ago today that I started this blog with my initial welcome post. And what a difference a year makes. There have been a lot of changes during that time, both physical and otherwise. Let’s deal with the easy ones first.

Think back to where you were a year ago. I had been running, seriously, for about 10 weeks. I weighed in at about 180 pounds, which was pretty skininy at the time. My longest run - in my life - had been ten and a half miles the week before, which took me over two hours to complete. For the year I’d logged somewhere around 150 miles, with about 115 of them after the start of seriously training for my first marathon.

Now look at where I am today. To start, I’m about ten pounds lighter than I was back then. I’ve entered - and finished - a marathon. I’ve logged close to 600 miles so far this year, and I consider that low because it includes time off for two injuries that stopped my running dead in its tracks. Yesterday I clocked off 12.7 miles in 1:57 - that’s about 30% longer than my longest run a year ago in less time - without it being at all a big deal. I’m healthier, stronger, and happier with my overall level of fitness.

Its been an interesting journey. Since I started running I’ve met a lot of people on their way down similar paths. I’ve learned that going through the process of finding out that you can do something that seems so out of reach to the average Joe - even the average runner - is a wonderful experience. I also believe that finishing the marathon is something that almost anyone can accomplish, if they truly decide to do it. More on that later.

This time last year I was busy being elated at my overall abilities - the fact that here I was, running, doing things I’d never thought possible. I didn’t pay much attention to exactly what I was doing, leaving all of the planning and logistics to my coaches. In a lot of ways this was a great way to get used to the higher mileage, and it kept me from worrying or second guessing what was going on.

This time around, I’m doing pretty much everything myself. I’ve even run most of my long runs solo, which isn’t something that I would have expected after the last time when my training group (the 10:30 Red SockMonkeys) helped me through so many times. I guess the biggest difference here is the movement of the marathon from a daunting quest to a physical challenge. I know that I could get the miles in and finish the job. Now I want to do it well, and kick 26.2 miles of ass.

Back deciding to finish that marathon. This is one of the biggest areas where I see some people get stuck. What’s most important here is to decide, to actively choose that you’re going to do what it takes to run those 26.2 miles. Once you’ve made that choice for real, the rest is just process. As master Yoda says, “Do or do not, there is no try.” If you decide to try to run a marathon, well, you haven’t decided anything. The same goes for trying to lose weight, trying to quit smoking, trying… whatever. Decide to do it, and then follow through.

Am I saying that doing a marathon is trivial? On the contrary. It takes an investment of time (quite a bit), money (a little), and dedication. It means making a training plan and sticking to it for months, then doing the same again for the race itself. Its a very real accomplishment. But at the same time, its yours for the taking.

Last year my goal was to finish a marathon. This year, my goal is to race one. I’m going to run Freescale and I hope to be able to do as well as I can do. That’s all - but that’s a lot! I really want to do Boston in the next few years, and I believe that I can - and will - get there with room to spare. Maybe even doing a BQ in 2006. I may not make it, but I don’t doubt any more that I have it in me. I do. You know what? You do too.

Set that unreachable goal. Achieve it. Move on to the next one. After all, what’s life without a little windmill tilting once in a while?

EDIT: I just noticed that this has been sitting in “Draft” status. Sorry if you were waiting for it.

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