Taking off

Runners and endurance athletes are generally obsessive compulsives. If we take off a day, we feel like we've lost 30 days of training. Even though we know that, in actuality, we're probably improving our fitness level by taking a day off – our gut is screaming that we need to go for a run or bike ride. When I'm focused on a goal (like training for a marathon or triathlon) and I can't workout, I can get down right gloomy. Just ask my wife.

So yesterday I had to take a day off (work got in the way) and it about drove me up the wall. I've been on a roll for the past few weeks but I am just certain that my day off will completely derail my momentum. We'll see tonight if I can get back out there and go for a run.

Chicago or Bust

I plunked down my $110 dollars last Friday for my entry into the Chicago Marathon. My goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2009 at Chicago. Considering that the longest run I've had in about 4 months is a little over seven miles – I've got a lot of work to do. Fortunately, I've also got a lot of time. Chicago is around eight months away.

It was around this time last year when I decided to enter Ironman Louisville. At that point, I barely knew how to ride a bike. This, for me is a lot less daunting. I've qualified for Boston before (at the Disney Marathon). However, I'm 5 years older, almost 20 pounds heavier and about a minute a mile slower.

I've been posting how tough it's been to get back into shape and regain my interest in running. It has been tough – but this new goal seems achievable and, for a change, I'm excited to get out the door everyday.