There are a few numbers floating around in my head these days. Some are silly numbers, like the cost for a wood floor in my basement, or the price of furniture. These numbers generally have four digits and that’s somewhat disconcerting. But such is the price of equity and development. When I see some of the crappy houses in this neighborhood asking 30k more than we paid, it makes me feel warm and bubbly inside to know that I’ll get back my investment - not to mention enjoying the final product.

But really, this isn’t about those numbers. This is about two very specific numbers, or to be more specific, a date and a number. The date is October 1, 2006. A little less than a year from now. The number is 26.2.

Everyone has goals. And if you don’t have any goals, I really feel sorry for you because that’s pretty damn pathetic. Well, I’ve got a new goal. I’ve actually been working on it for about a month and a half.

It all started at the beginning. Last year, one of my teammates at work ran the Milwaukee marathon. Another coworker ran the Chicago marathon. Back in the day, my mom ran a half marathon. In high school, I ran a little bit. These numbers, distances, and ideas all added up to one startling thought: Could I run a marathon?

Sure, in theory I could do it. If I were to train properly and stick to it, I probably could run those twenty-six-point-two miles. Yeah, that sounds like it’s possible. But man, that also souonds really really hard. I’ve never run more than five miles at a time before.

At the end of August, I made my decision. Come hell or high water, I was going to run the 2006 Milwaukee marathon. Wait, scratch that.

I AM going to run the Milwaukee marathon. The decision has been made. Now it’s up to me to follow through. I’m posting it here so that others bear witness to my goal. It’s easy to quit if no one knows your plan. It’s a lot more difficult if your friends are there to egg you on and keep you true to your word.

So that’s my goal - short-term, anyway. In just under a year, I will run a marathon. And if that isn’t enough of a goal for you, I will run it in less than four hours. My time goal is to average eight minutes per mile.

How am I doing so far? In my first three weeks of training, my weekly totals were 12 miles, 17 miles, and 24 miles. I increaded my mileage too quickly and spent the fourth week injured after my first six mile run. I’ve just finished week six, and I ran 18.1 miles. I’m on my way.

In the spring I’m considering running a half marathon, either in Eagle River or Madison. I’m excited.

Of course, I would love it immensely if any other blarfites decided to join me. Interested? Marathon-curious? Come on, you sissy. Run a fuckin’ marathon with me!

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