I joined a marathon training program and picked up my information packet yesterday. So now it's official: I've lost my mind.
I've paid my $100 to Round Rock Fit, a six-month training program that will prepare me body and soul for the Austin Livestrong Marathon in February. Further evidence of mental deterioration (I know, like more evidence is really needed): I bought a new pair of expensive running shoes as well as an even more expensive (though on sale!) running watch.
So now, dear reader, I'm more committed than ever. This blog was an important first step. Next was following a training program and actually participating in a 5K. I ran a second 5K on my birthday, and it was a lot more fun. It was the 5K for Clay, which benefits the Clay Madsen Recreation Center, where I exercise a lot. I got to see a lot of fellow City employees, and my in-laws even showed up to cheer me on!
The kickoff event for Round Rock Fit on Saturday was really cool. Again, got to see some friends from work -- all of whom are coaching various groups -- and the real treat was the speech by USA Fit co-founder Denis Calabrese. He talked about why he started the organization (while there are a ton of places to take tennis lessons or golf lessons, there wasn't any place for running lessons), related spot-on what we newbies were experiencing that day, and then related what we would be feeling as went through our training and then on the day of our first marathon.
Bottom line: this training program will prepare your body for the rigors of the race, but more importantly it will prepare your mind for the event. Your mind will lie to your body, he said, telling it that it's time to quit when you've got plenty left in the tank. If he said it once, he said it ten times in various ways: this is a mental challenge.
So for a guy so obviously mentally challenged as I am, this should be a piece of cake ...
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