First step

When I turned 48 last year -- at least, I think it was then -- I made a secret vow to myself that I would run a marathon before I turned 50. I don't really know why, other than that I'm usually either getting in shape or in full-blown couch potato mode, and I was in the latter cycle determined to get into the former.

The first person I shared this furtive ambition with was my then-boss Jim Nuse. Jim's been a mentor and friend for going on 20 years, and runs in triathlons with his son, Adam. I told Jim I was going to do P90X for a while to lose some pounds, and then start running. Jim, thoughtful as ever, said, "Why don't you just start running?"

Simple: Because I don't like to run. It hurts. You've got to get up early and go outside -- where, here in Central Texas, it's generally an uncomfortable temperature. I'm nothing if not a world-class procrastinator. I'll engage in one kind of strenuous exercise to avoid another.

And then, over spring break, while suffering from a nasty sinus infection, I found a book by Dean Karnazes, titled Run! 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss. The first I ever heard of Karnazes was, I think, in a 2006 column by Brom Hoban in the Austin American-Statesman about Karnazes' attempt to run 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states. Run! was good stuff. So I downloaded 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance! Holy moly. This was great stuff. So I went back to Amazon for his first book, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner. I won't go into details here about the many, many compelling stories in the books. Suffice it to say my myriad excuses for not running have been blown to smithereens.

So, inspired, here I am. Flu-like symptoms have abated, and a run first thing Monday morning awaits.