snowdeal.org > ex machina: the accidental marathonist.

ex machina

the accidental marathonist.

of the many things i learned from training for and running in marathons, these are but a few:

1. by setting reasonable daily goals and challenging yourself a little each day, you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish. really, it works. it's not just motivational babble.
2. discipline. discipline. discipline. and more discipline.
3. the little voice inside your head that says you can't possibly go one step further is almost always wrong.
4. except if you don't pace yourself properly In The Beginning, then the little voice might be right.
5. usually when you're in the thick of it, you don't realize how silly you look, but even if you did you wouldn't care because you just ran 18 miles and stomped out that little voice and are pretty sure you can run 8 more.
6. when They tell you that you'll never run again, sometimes they're wrong.
7. accept the kindness of strangers. when you're at mile 23 and you're once again doubting whether or that little voice is correct, people you don't even know will help you keep on keeping on by cheering for you.

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1/18/2006 08:15:00 PM 4 comments

4 Comments:

Does this mean you're getting back on the road to re-join us regular runners? Re-starting is far from pleasant, but once you get going again, you'll wonder why you took so much time off.

By Anonymous, at 9:22 AM

dan z: "Does this mean you're getting back on the road to re-join us regular runners? Re-starting is far from pleasant, but once you get going again, you'll wonder why you took so much time off."

hi dan!

well, it means i'm trying to get myself motivated :-) i can't believe it's been over a year since i was running regularly, but i guess i've had other things going on so i'll try to cut myself some slack. re-starting in the middle of winter seems particularly unpleasant. i remember i used to enjoy running in the winter, but now it seems insane.

By e3, at 11:59 AM

I signed up for a Marathon (my first) in June of 06.

So far, I'm scared witless of Mile 18. And every mile after that one :-]

But so far, I'd have to say that I agree with your Numbers 1 & 3. Every day a little further and tell the "voice" to shut the hell up, already!

By Anonymous, at 9:43 PM

jon deal: "I signed up for a Marathon (my first) in June of 06.

So far, I'm scared witless of Mile 18. And every mile after that one :-]"

congratulations!

i know it might sound ridiculous, but if you can make it to 18 miles you can make it to 26.2 miles. just pace yourself and stomp, stomp, stomp out that little voice!

let us know how it goes...

By e3, at 10:41 PM

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“"it is hard to be brave," said piglet, sniffing slightly, "when you're only a Very Small Animal." rabbit, who had begun to write very busily, looked up and said: "it is because you are a very small animal that you will be Useful in the adventure before us."”

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this site chronicles the continuing adventures of my son, odin, who was unexpectedly born on the fourth of july at 25 weeks gestation, weighing 1 pound 7 ounces.

he's quite a fighter and you can always send him a postcard to the most current address listed here if you're inspired by his adventures. see the postcard project/google maps mashup to see a map of the postcards.

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