Action 500 - Get Ready To Run The Marathon.

After one hundred days, it all comes down to this moment.

Action 500 - Get Ready To Run The Marathon.

As I type this, I'm sitting in my car at the Pasadena City College (in VIP Parking!). In just over one hour, I'll step across the start line and begin the marathon. I'm excited, nervous, and a little bit anxious.



This has been an amazing journey already. I'll blog about it more after the race, because I really want to capture this experience. All of these actions have had a big impact on me, and I want to use all of this as I go forward to my next challenge.

For now, though, my eyes are on 26.2 miles of the beautiful city of Pasadena.

It's run time!

Action 497 - Admit That It Takes Time.

Have you seen this going around?

You Have 1,440 Minutes Every Day - Take 20 to Workout.

I call BS. Sure, it may only take twenty minutes to get a quick workout or run a couple of miles, but that's not all the time required. If you work out at a gym or run somewhere away from your home, there's travel time there and back. If you work out during the workday, there's time to change clothes before and then shower and change back after. Saying it only takes twenty minutes seems stupid to me.

Action 497 - Admit That It Takes Time.

Let me be absolutely clear. It IS worth whatever time it takes. I get up at 4:30am to be at the gym by 5am, work out for an hour, get showered, dressed, and make it to the office by 7am. Working out or running first thing in the morning makes my whole day better, so I am happy to give up the time for it.

It takes time. And it isn't easy. But it's worth it.



But for those just starting out, understand that the "only 20 minutes" thing isn't the whole story. Don't feel bad if you struggle with adding exercise into your routine and find it tough to find the time. It WILL be tough. But it's worth it. So stick with it, keep experimenting with different times and different workouts. Find what works for you. And soon, it will start to feel automatic.

Action 482 - Enjoy The Entire Experience.

When I'm in, I'm in. And this weekend is no exception. I was planning to get up to the fitness expo just before it closes on Friday at 7pm, but I'm changing that plan a bit.

Action 482 - Enjoy The Entire Experience.



I'm going to work early morning Friday, then leave from here and head up to Pasadena by 10am or so. I want to get to the expo, meet the race director, claim my Bib No. 1775, and then wander up and down every single row. I want to meet the different vendors, chat with other runners, and gather all the swag and free samples I can.

These expos are celebrations of runners and running, and this time, I will not just dash in, grab my bib and t-shirt, and then dash back out.

Bring on the free stuff!

(Image courtesy of RockandRoll Seattle.)

Action 477 - Make Them All Count.

I'm down to the last few days before I run the marathon, and that raises the stakes on each of the last actions. I'm confident that the past 90+ days have been good for me, and I want to finish strong.

Action 477 -  Make Them All Count.

This week, I won't be introducing anything new. I'll stick to foods I know and eat regularly, so I won't have any worries about nutrition. Physically, I'm planning a short run on Tuesday and Thursday, and I may run again on Friday if I feel like it. I want to feel loose and ready to run on Sunday.

I have been hyper-focused on this marathon for more than three months. Mentally, I think the next few days will seem a bit of a blur. But emotionally, I think I will be a bit overwhelmed by the time Sunday gets here. It's a lot to process, all that has led me to this point.

Spiritually, I feel like I am in a good place. With the help of very generous friends, I have managed to turn this all-about-me marathon project into a chance to make a real difference for other people. That feels pretty great.

All that said, I will not coast this week. I will work just as hard as I have all the weeks before. I will be ready.

Action 476 - Return Recharged.

It was a fantastic weekend, and I'm leaving Austin grateful for having come. Uncles and Aunts, cousins, my mother and my grandfather... so much family in the same place at the same time. It was amazing. But being away from home, work and my routine was a pretty big shake-up. It was tough to stay focused on my plan while hanging out and having fun with family. Still, there is a definite upside.

Action 476 - Return Recharged.

And I am. With only a few days to go, I'm back and ready to see this through. And I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow morning's run.

It's on.



(Image courtesy of habitsofsmartpeople.com)

Action 472 - Tick Off The Days.

After more than ninety days, it's really sinking in. I'm running the Pasadena Marathon in less than a week. It's no longer something that is happening in a while. It's happening at the end of this week. THIS WEEK! After Monday, then Tuesday, etc. I can now say this, next Sunday, I'm running!

Action 472 - Tick Off The Days.

This time next week, I'll be done. I'll be wearing my finisher's medal and celebrating the end of my 100 day, 26.2 mile journey. I'm down to the last week of the calendar and now, I'm ticking off the last few days.

Hurry up, Sunday!

Action 464 - Fly The Friendly Skies.

Not a surprise to anyone that knows me, but I'm pretty comfortable meeting new people. And yesterday, it paid off.

Action 464 - Fly The Friendly Skies.

I was on a Southwest flight to Austin, Texas, and I chose the very last aisle seat. I figured, I checked a bag, so there's no rush to deplane, right?

I noticed one of the flight attendants in a heated conversation with one of the passengers. From what I could hear, the attendant was insisting that the passenger couldn't leave her bag in the aisle during take-off. Simple, right?

By the time the attendant made her way to the back of the plane, she was obviously frustrated. She looked at me and I said, quietly, "people are idiots, aren't they?"

And just like that, she and I were besties. We spent the next two hours laughing at the stupid people... and I spent the next two hours enjoying free cocktails.

And since I had WiFi on the plane, I took the opportunity to update my Facebook status.





Life is fun. And sometimes, it's surprising, too.

Action 460 - Choose Only One.

Argh. I hate not being able to have everything I want. Yes, I realize that I sound like a spoiled brat when I admit that. But there it is, anyway.

There are three things I want but I can really only afford one of them. They each cost about the same, so...

Action 460 - Choose Only One.

I can run the Rock and Roll San Diego Marathon on June 3rd.

Totally fun, another full marathon, and I love shiny medals.

or

I can run the Nanny Goat 24 Hour 100 Mile Challenge on May 26th.

It's a huge challenge, the "medal" is fun, and it's a brand new experience.

or

I can buy myself a new iPod Nano to use on the Pasadena Marathon.

I want to be able to switch playlists - from dance club to rock - and my Shuffle doesn't do that. Plus, it would be a reward for finishing like my watch was for running the Marine Corps Marathon.

I can make a good argument for each of them. And I can afford one, but only one.

Fortunately, I don't have to decide tonight. I can think on it over the weekend and make my decision early next week.

Action 459 - Don't Confuse Travel With Holiday.

Tomorrow after work, I am flying out to Austin, Texas, for the weekend. It is my Grandfather's 90th birthday and Sunday is Mother's Day, so it's the perfect time to see the whole family. The old me would see this trip as a vacation and not think at all about what is going on with my training. But I'm not the old me.

Action 459 - Don't Confuse Travel With Holiday.

Yes, I get to see my family. And yes, I'm sure I'll indulge a little in food and drink while I'm there. But I'm still in training. In fact, I'm in my last ten days before the marathon. That means I need to remain focused on the prize.

And I'm prepared for it. I have already packed my gym bag for the morning workout before I head to the office, and I have my suitcase packed with two other sets of running gear for Saturday and Sunday mornings runs. I will run bright and early and then have the rest of the day to focus my attention on the family.

I will prove to myself that I can have it all this weekend. I can enjoy my family, have a great trip, and still commit to my workout and my training.

[caption id="attachment_2241" align="alignnone" width="300"] Celebrating Grandpa's birthday in 2009.[/caption]

Action 457 - Tell It Like It Is.

Being the SparkPeople Success Story Manager and an active member of the site, I get my share of emails from new members asking questions. I know how much I appreciated encouragement early on, so I always take the time to reply with whatever help I can offer.

Action 457 - Tell It Like It Is.

Today, I received this email from a new member:

Do you have any weight loss tips?

And this was my reply:

Nope.

Not being mean or dismissive, just I have never had any luck chasing weight loss goals. It wasn't until I focused on the basics of being healthy that I was successful.

Eat healthy. Be active. Repeat consistently. That's it. No tricks, no sneaky way around it. It's all about the basics.

Start small with simple goals, like drinking enough water each day or taking a 15 minute walk each day at lunch. Whatever the goal, just start. Repeat. And when it becomes a habit, add another goal.

That's what worked for me, at least.

I know what she was asking, and I could have certainly phrased my answer more as "weight loss tips." But I went with what felt more authentic to me. Focusing on weight loss alone may be a good way to drop pounds, but I don't think it is a way to keep those pounds off.

I don't judge people who resort to extreme and restrictive diets or surgery to lose weight. I'm not in their shoes and it's not for me to approve or disapprove. But speaking for me, I think that those solutions may help you lose weight, but once you return to your normal eating habits, the weight will come right back. To successfully keep weight off, you need to learn new and healthier habits for life.

So, I told it like it is, at least for me. There are no shortcuts to this.

Action 456 - Make The Motivation.

Being a person who is pretty open and upfront about my weight loss and fitness journey, I'm used to people asking me questions. No surprise, this is one of the most common.

How do you always stay motivated?

I think the answer surprises most people, but honestly, I don't. I'm not always motivated. Some days, I don't want to workout and I don't want to think about what I'm eating. I want to sleep in and eat junk food and watch TV for hours. Some days, I'm just not feeling it. But those the days that I most need to do something good for myself, because doing right by my body also helps improve my mood.

Action 456 - Make The Motivation. If I don't have it, I find ways to push myself in the right direction.

For example, today, I'm not really feeling it. I woke up this morning too late to go to the gym before work, so my reaction is to just skip today completely. But that doesn't help me prepare for the marathon, it doesn't help me burn calories, and it definitely doesn't help me feel better.

My solution? I packed my gym bag and brought it with me to the office. I could have changed at home afterwards, but I know better. I would go home and not leave again for the gym. Bringing my bag means I don't need to make a stop on the way. I have also brought my bag into the office with me. I don't need to, since I am going to change into my workout gear at the gym. But leaving it in the car makes it easier for me to change my mind and not go. Out of sight, out of mind, you know?



Instead, my gym bag is right here at the end of my desk. It's a constant reminder that I have a place to go and something to do right after work.

I'm still not really feeling all that motivated to go run and workout this afternoon, but I know that I am going to do it. And I also know that afterwards, I am going to be glad that I did. I have never worked out and thought, "pfft, that was a mistake."

If you don't have the motivation, make it. Your mind will come around once your body starts doing all the work.

 

Action 455 - Practice Patience.

I'm not going to play coy here. I am not a patient person. When I decide I want something, I want it right now. And right now, I have decided that I want to run the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon or Half Marathon on June 3rd.



Crazy, right? There are so many reasons why I shouldn't run it.

1. I ran the event already last year.


2. The course was not that beautiful.


3. It's expensive.


4. I'm running a full marathon and a half marathon in the two weeks before.

So, why have I decided I want to run it? Because I can. Because I'm on a roll. Because I'm stepping up and pushing myself and challenging myself and... well.. and I suppose I'm on a runner's high and I don't want it to fade.

Action 455 - Practice Patience.



I checked the website, and the rates will not go up again until May 27th. That means I can wait until after I run the Pasadena Marathon to decide if I want to run San Diego. Maybe I won't feel up to another full marathon and will only want to do the half. And sure, the event could sell out. But if so, that would just be a sign that I wasn't meant to run it at all.

I hate waiting. I want to just sign up right now and be done with it. But no, I am not going to do that. The smart thing to do is wait, run what I have already committed to, and let the rest play itself out over the next two weeks.

Be patient. It's good for me. Right?

*grumble* *grumble*

Action 454 - Find The Words To Explain It.

This afternoon, I was interviewed by a reporter for the Pasadena Weekly. She was looking for stories of runners to share with their readers, and the folks at the Pasadena Marathon gave her my contact information.

What an experience. She asked for fifteen minutes of my time, and I was happy to talk about the marathon, why I was running it, and all about the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.  I thought I knew what she was going to ask, what I was going to say, and how the entire interview would go.

I was wrong.

Once I started talking, it was like I opened a valve and everything inside my head just came rushing out. I talked about why I was running... this project to prepare me... and all that I have learned about myself along the way. And so much, more more. I'll save all the details, as the reporter is writing the story and I'll let her tell it as she chooses. But for me, one thing finally became clear. After an hour of talking, I was no longer unclear about what I was doing.

Action 454 - Find The Words To Explain It.

I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2011 for myself. It was my challenge, to show myself that I could do it. And I met that challenge head-on. I ran the marathon, stood in the shadow of the Iwo Jima Memorial, and proudly clung to my Finisher's Medal as proof of what I had accomplished.



But this marathon is different. I am not running to prove something to myself. This time, I am running for others.

• I am running as a way to say thank you to the Marines in my life, my brothers and sisters, who reminded me back in June 2010 that I am an amazing person who has every reason to be happy. They were the mirror that showed me I deserved better, I deserved to be better, and gave me the spark I needed to turn my life around. Their friendship led me out of the darkness and literally saved my life.


• I am running to raise money for the Marines now served by the Semper Fi Fund. These are men and women who have sacrificed for this nation and now deserve all the assistance we can offer them as they return to a new life after the horrors of war.


• I am running to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives in service to a nation that does not always make its gratitude known. For a brief moment, on the streets of Pasadena, each of these Marines will be remembered. What they have given will be acknowledged, appreciated, and honored.

This marathon is my one opportunity to give something back to all the Marines who have given so much to me and for me.

And thank you, Logan Pollard, for giving me the opportunity today to sort all of this out in my head. Finding the words to explain how I feel has made this experience that much more important to me.

Action 449 - Prepare For Incoming.

For all the juggling I felt I was already doing, my life is about to get much, much crazier.

Action 449 - Prepare For Incoming.

The movie project, From Fat To Finish Line, has kicked up a notch. I am the last runner to be introduced on the movie's Facebook page, plus my photo and name have been added to the header cover photo.

I also got an email from someone at the Pasadena Weekly, and they would like to interview me tomorrow for a piece on the marathon. Add that to the television interview I have already agreed to, and my dance card is filling up.

I've already felt like I was in the spotlight, but it's only going to ramp up quickly from here. Guess I better be ready for it!



(Image courtesy of crossfitgeneration.com)

Action 448 - Ignore The Distractions.

As one of my earlier actions, I made the conscious decision to isolate myself from the daily nonsense that passes for political and social news. Listening to the chattering heads and loud-mouthed extremists did nothing to educate, inform or entertain me, so why bother with it? Besides, if anything was really newsworthy, I would hear about it from friends and Facebook, right?

But tonight, the news out of North Carolina has bubbled over my wall of silence. And I found myself engaging in discussion about it despite knowing that there was not one bit of difference I could make by talking about it.

Action 448 - Ignore The Distractions. My marathon comes up in less than two weeks, and the only thing I need to be thinking about is eating right, being active, and repeating consistently.



Shutting off the endless stream of "news" was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I need to remember that when I feel myself drawn into an argument that I know will go nowhere. I have limited time and energy, and I choose to expend it on things that make me happy, healthy and wise.

And now, I am returning to my amazing life already in progress.

(Image courtesy of nightclubsecurity.wordpress.com)

Action 447 - Don't Be That Guy.

Yikes. Sometimes, when the universe sends a message, it is crystal clear and unmistakable. And this morning was one of those times.

I worked out early, so I stopped by 7-11 on the way to the office to grab coffee and a bite to eat. (I went with a Belvita Breakfast Biscuit. Not great, but not bad. And definitely better than the tube of mini-donuts I oogled on my way to the register.)

There were two women working the counter, and they were both over-the-top friendly and cheerful. They were downright chipper, in fact.

Good morning!

Have a fantastic day!

Enjoy your day out there!

It's going to be a beautiful day!

Honestly, they were great, like little bursts of sunshine. And then came... that guy. One of the clerks asked, "having a good morning?"

No. I won't be having a good day until 4:30 when work is done. My day's going to be crappy.

It was as if all the air was instantly sucked out of the store. If there had been a record playing, it would have skipped and the needle would have scratched all the way across it. His comment fell on the counter like a stone.

Action 447 - Don't Be That Guy.

Look, I realize that not everybody is having a great day. I know that some people, in fact, are having completely terrible days. But I hope that when my bad day arrives, I don't behave like this guy did. All he had to say was, "good, thanks," and the moment would have passed.

I don't know what was going on with him. Perhaps today really is the single worst day of his life and he is normally a happier person. Maybe. I'm not really concerned with judging him. I'm more concerned with making sure I don't bring that sort of dark cloud of energy to others when I'm unhappy.

Don't be that guy. That's an action I will keep in mind.



(Image courtesy of Disney.wikia.com.)

Action 445 - Picture Myself As An Ultra.

I can barely believe that I am about to type these words. I can barely believe that the thought has even settled into my mind. But so be it.

Action 445 - Picture Myself As An Ultra.

This time two years ago, I wasn't able to run a mile. The idea of entering a 5K was way too much. And yet tonight, I'm THISCLOSE to signing up for a twelve hour trail race. It's an open event, in that I would have twelve hours to complete as many miles as I possibly can.

Why would I do this? One, because it supports the Wounded Warrior Project. Two, because it is a challenge unlike any I have ever attempted. And three, because it's designed so each runner can do their very best and compete only against themselves. Whether I run one mile or fifty miles, it's all up to me.

Now, I am not sure that I will run this particular race. One, it's $125. And with all my races already paid for and my Marine Reunion coming up, another $125 for race fees is a bit much. (It's all to a great cause, absolutely, just beyond my budget right now.) Two, it's right after my marathon and two days before a scheduled, very hilly half marathon.

But the action here is not necessarily to run it. It's to picture myself as being able to do it or the next one like it. And yes, I can picture it. Holy crap, how mind-blowing is that?

I am not the man I was two years ago. I am a man who can step up to any challenge, give it everything I have, and walk away proud of myself. That is an amazing feeling and a great mental space to be in.

P.S. And here's a link to the same race from 2010. The Goat Medal cracks me up!

Action 443 - Sing A New Song.

The road to Pasadena has taken many turns, and I'm still making adjustments. After a lot of miles on the road over the last month, I've discovered a few things about my music.

Action 443 - Sing A New Song.



I've learned that some of the songs I thought would be perfect are actually... not. For example, I love Kelly Clarkson's Never Again. I have a rockin' remix of it that I thought would be perfect for running. Turns out, not so much. The last thing I want to hear as I am running yet another half marathon is "never again... never again!"

So, it's back to the playlist over the next two weeks. I've got more changes to make and not a lot of time to make sure they're the right changes.

Action 434 - Gather My Favorite Things.

It's that time again.

Action 434 - Gather My Favorite Things.

I am heading up to Orange County in a few hours, and that means I need to have all of my running gear staged and ready to go.

I have my running shirt, shorts and socks, my sneaks, my warm-up sweatpants and my USMC sweatshirt. I have my RoadID, Garmin, Halo headband and my warm cap. I have a couple of GU packets for the run, a snack for the ride up, and my iPhone holder.



I just need to grab my Shuffle and headphones, my bib and belt, cash and my ID and I am all set to go.

Come on, Race Day!

Action 424 - Sort Out My Tech Life.

It's been a frustrating e-day.

I'm balancing multiple accounts for Twitter, personal and administrative accounts on Facebook, and blogs on WordPress and Blogger. It's quickly become unmanageable and confusing.



Action 424 - Sort Out My Tech Life.

After a long day of hits and misses, I think I have finally worked out a plan. I've linked what needs to be linked, deleted what needs to be deleted, and figured out what I need to do going forward. I do have a couple of things that I will need help with, since my tech savvy self isn't quite as savvy as I thought. But once those things are cleaned up, it will be smooth sailing for the kid.

Whew. Now, what else did I need to get done today? I still have plenty of time, right? It's only... almost 10pm? Damn it.

(Image courtesy of EdgeLink.com.)