You have to wonder at times what you’re doing out there. Over the years, I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
- Steve Prefontaine 

Started my marathon training group on Saturday. A couple hundred showed up, and again, it was motivating to see people of all shapes, sizes, fitness levels and ages revved up to run either a half or full Marathon. The head coach gave a really motivating and funny speech. Based on my mile time, I’m in the “Red” group. This puts me at average since Red is, by far, the largest group in the program. 

The training schedule has us running 4 days each week, from now until January 16th. Saturday mornings are the scheduled group runs in Memorial Park, with individual training runs every Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays. This Saturday we’re scheduled to run 3 miles, with an overall progression towards the full 26.2 miles for the Marathon. In a few weeks we’ll start doing hill workouts (basically, running up and down hills…yuck) and speed work.

Aside from the fucking Houston summer heat, I’m very excited.

Speaking of running, Brooks Running has launched a 90-second animated video depicting the life of a runner from birth to death. The song was written and performed by Chris Ballew, member of the rock band, Presidents of the United States of America. I’ve watched this video at least 5 times now. Click the image to view:

In other news, tomorrow I’m (hopefully) seeing March of the Penguins, where I hope to glean some clues to really important penguin questions. And this weekend, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

rawk.