Long way to Run

Yes, I stole the title of this blog from a Collective Soul song, I admit that. The song was also part of the soundtrack to the movie Varsity Blues, a movie which for some reason I really like, even though it is a standard high school football movie. Anyway, this blog is not about Collective Soul or football movies. I am attempting to run the Indianapolis Mini Marathon which is part of the festivities surrounding the month of May here in Indy.

I have run a half marathon before. I have been in several training classes in the past, so why am I taking on the challenge of running this race? In truth, it is a crappy race to run from a running perspective. The weather is usually hot and humid and the race course is overcrowded.

I am running this race through a program offered by my employer which is very cool. The only misgiving that I have is I do not like publicity about blind people running. Whether you can see or not, it is not that hard to put one foot in front of the other and run; there is nothing special about running. Even so, a lot of people who are blind have never ran in sighted races before and that is pretty awesome that my company provides that opportunity. If the message is quietly sent that blind people are just like everyone else that works too, I just do not like the stories that try pulling on heart strings or are cheesified.

My reasons for running the race are simple. For one, I want to be in really good shape again. I have major problems with shin splints and seem to somehow acquire nagging injuries, but I enjoy testing myself. Training will also help me drop some weight. I am not fat, but weighing less is always a good thing; got to work off the beer that I consume somehow. Finally, I want to run this race in preparation for a triathlon. Of course, making sure I can endure the rigors of mini training will let me know if a triathlon is possible. I am attracted to the triathlon because it involves training beyond running. I hate swimming; and swimming in a lake with a bunch of people will be challenging, but it is a challenge that I look forward to taking on. I love cycling and I feel like that will be my strongest stage of the race. Combining swimming, running and cycling, regardless of the length of the triathlon, means that you have to be in decent shape. It is also a new athletic challenge, something that I have never done before and I like the idea of stretching myself mentally and physically

Whether my body will hold up after years of wrestling, running, beep baseball, cycling and random hiking expeditions only time will tell. Perhaps more important is rediscovering the necessary mindset to push through fatigue and pain in order to cross the finish line. Both the Mini and a potential triathlon are challenges that I look forward to taking on. I wish anyone training for a half or full marathon, triathlon or other athletic endeavor the best of luck and may we all stay injury free!

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