Boston Marathon:

Sign me UP!!!

(Afghanistan Style) 

So two days ago I was sent an email (thank you Joe) which shared the details of a Marathon which is to be held in the very near future on base. Not only is it a marathon but it's tied to the BOSTON MARATHON!!!! Are you kidding me!!!

"...2nd ever Boston Marathon/Afghanistan.The Boston Athletic Association has been generous enough to help us conduct this event free of charge to all participants." 

Reading the email with wide eyes, disbelief and great anticipation, I felt the charge of life ignite my spirit. "YES"!!! As I read my thoughts and concerns  surged ahead of the outlined information. "When is it? Am I off? Will they let me do it? Can I be ready? Who's coming with me?" Frantically reading on I welcomed the literature's appeasing text. 

When is it?::::::::::::::: 14 April 2012

Am I off?::: ::::::::::::::YES

Will they let me do it?::: YES

Can I be Ready?:::::::::Son, I was BORN READY!!! I have 6 days to prepare :-/

Who's coming with me?:READY of NOT here 'I' come. Joseph is IN!!! YES

This is a 'Must Do' and is considered to be nothing less than an absolute Gift from the Universe. 6 days to get spun up for a 26.2 mile run,,, "I'll take two please"!  There's no way around it, I'm 'IN' and this is going to H.U.R.T.!!! The plan, sleep a lot and stretch. This one's all mental. Gonna knock this out "Gorilla Style". 

I'm pretty sure that my finish will not be as elegant as the captured moment shown above. I can pretty much bet that my finish will be the realization of a number quite different than the one shown above also; one that has a friend to the left AND right of it. There may be a '1' in there somewhere,,, "May"!!! Ultimately, I'm excited and grateful for the chance to participate is this event.  What a ride. It's time to LIVE!!!

Follow up to come...

9 April 2012 (2135 Afghanistan time)
Alright its some hours later and I'm resting in bed after running 6.5 miles today. This is the fast track to 26.2. Will don't fail me now!!! I'm all IN!!! I feel good. It's going to be a doosie, that's for sure. I am riding that fine line of work, rest and replenishment. 5 days till "Runners on your mark". Dare to Live!!!!




15 April 2012
Whooo Hooooo!!!!
The Marathon went AMAXING!!! I ended up running with an Awesome guy I met out here. 6 days of preparation and I have to say that I am completely Happy with the results. First Marathon is in the bag. I just noticed that my 





watch clocked 05:02:23 for 23.76 miles. I had a goal of a sub 5 hour mark. I'll have to check to get my official time. All in all it went Great. What a ride. The greatest part was keeping a clear head all the way through. I have to credit that to having such an Awesome wingman (Joseph Kurr). He kept me moving with Chants and silly stunts along the way...Running up to buses on the road and dishing out "High 5's", racing while waving at passing cars and the classic running backwards and clapping his hands with an animated "Let's GO LE-OOO"!!! Can't beat it with a stick I tell ya. So it's all about rest and recovery from here. Thanks to All my Triathlete friends for the advise and encouragement. And Thanks to all my friends and family that gave support. I felt it and Loved it!!! Boston's in the BAG!!!! YES!!!