Never Say Never

Im a runner and have been, on and off, for the last 15 years. I have been cursed to where the Clydesdale status as I've been over 200 lbs. since I've started.


This morning I ran my second, 3 mile race of the year. It was a nice course, well planned and executed. The goody bag and shirt were pretty cool. It was called the Run 4 Rehab.


I trimmed my time by 3 minutes from two weeks ago, finishing this race at a pace of 10:03.  Two weeks ago, at Chicagoland Speedway, it was an 11:00 mile pace. I'm 46 years old and weigh about 215, so to me this is a great feeling moving my pace forward that quickly.


12 years ago I ran my last marathon (2nd total), never to figure on running another one again. Our kids were young then and putting them into a "running stroller" was a great way to accommodate their need to get out and my training regimen. 


Now that there're older and work now presents the possibility, it has crossed my mind to try another one. 
Back then, the rush of being there, outweighed the exhausting daily workouts. 
But the training really sucked, day in day out. I can't do it, I don't want to do it.


So I've opted on a different physical rush, namely Adventure Racing. I've done 4 Muddy Buddy races over the years and thoroughly enjoyed them. Something about getting full of mud while running and biking gets the blood pumping. This year, on Fathers Day, my son and I are doing the Warrior Dash. It is a 5K course with all sorts of obstacles designed to bring out the "Warrior" in you. Fire pits, rope and wall climbing, crossing ditches filled with cold, muddy water are just a few tasks on the course.

If this race works out well and I come out of it rejuvenated, the Spartan Race in October may be my "Marathon" this year. It looks like a pretty damned serious adventure race with only the strong and strong willed in mind. 8 miles of grueling physical and mental challenges designed to either crush you, or give you the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. 

Plus, there's beer at the finish line.


If anyone out there over 40 has done the Spartan Race, please tell me your story. I'd like to hear how it went for you.


Keep you posted.

Tiger 5K at Chicagoland Speedway. Start line at pit road.