+I might just run a marathon
So last Sunday I went running with a friend of mine, Mike, and his friend, Josh. Mike and I know each other through my kids’ school and at the Poker Night I put together for the school I mentioned to him that I had started running. Turns out he runs all the time, in the hills where I live, and he invited me to run with him. Well I foolishly agreed.
So Sunday I meet up with them at the top of Runyon Canyon. I think we are going to go for like a 45 minute run and I hem and haw first about how I am a treadmill runner and I don’t really want to slow them down blah blah blah. I am not making excuses. I know I don’t like it when I work out with someone and they slow me down. I am just letting them know I am not sure I can keep up with them.
So off we go and, oh my god, did we ever go. I thought we were just going to run Runyon. But instead we head off on Mullholland toward Laurel. We crossed Laurel and went down into Fryman Canyon to the bottom of Laurel Canyon then back up to Mullholland and all the way back to Runyon. Then I ran back to my house from there. That was about 11 or 12 miles! And I totally kept up with both of them including running up Laurel Canyon for two miles without stopping. I totally surprised myself that I was in that good shape.
So I am going to keep running the hills with Mike at least once a week on top of all my treadmill work. I really thought I was going to be sore the next day with all the uphill we did but Monday morning I ran 6 miles without pain.
So now I am thinking I should try running a marathon. I basically did a half-marathon Sunday anyway so I think with the right training I could do it. I figure I can wrap in a charity thing by donating money to Ante Up for Africa for running the marathon. I think I can get Ultimatebet.com involved in the charity component and if I have that extra motivation I think that will really get me going.
So now it is a matter of figuring out when there is a marathon that fits in my schedule and how much time I ened to train for it. I am, obviously, completely new to the whole thing so have no idea at all how long you are supposed to train or even how you are supposed to train for such a thing. I am going to start researching this stuff anf if anyone has suggestions that would be awesome to hear. I really want to kick ass on this. My goal is to run the marathon in around 5 hours. I figure that would not be a bad showing for someone who has been running less than a year.
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Unfortunately, Tuesday was the last day I got to workout this week since I had to go to Pechanga to film The Best damn Poker Show with Phil Hellmuth. Apparently being in close quarters with Phil for 3 days makes you sick because a came down with a bad stomach bug. I had to power through it to film the show (which was a blast) but when I got home Thursday my stomach was so bad I was up till 7 am Friday morning. Needless to say, I dd not get out of bed all day Friday. I did manage a 3 mile run this morning just to get back into it but I am not sure I am 100% yet. I want to get better so I can start running the hills more regularly. I think that will realy get me in shape because when I run on the treadmill it is all flat and at the same speed. Running the hills is a completely different experience that might be just the kick I need to really get into great shape.
Let’s hope this bug gets completely gone soon. ugh.
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Tomorrow we are getting our Christmas tree! Yay! The house will be competely decorated after that which always makes me really happy. Then in 13 days Joe and I are taking all the kids to Itally to meet up with my family there for Christmas. This is going to be one of the best Christmases to remember and I think such an amazing experience for my kids. I can’t wait!