Working, personal life, and running has been keeping me away from updating my blog. I appreciate you patiently waiting for my updates about my training and running events.

In my previous blog, that got lost in the mix, I am running in the Xterra Races this weekend.  I originally intended to run the Xterra Fugitive 10K, but thanks to Jeff – an avid runner friend, Richmond Road Runner, and Courtside West gym member at our office location, he convinced me to run the Xduro 21K (13.1 mile; half marathon) race.

My initial reaction was, “…ahh…(here it comes) why not?” If I ran eight miles Saturday and another six on Sunday, I might as well run the Xduro. He inspired me to just go the distance.  I have been sticking to 10K’s so far this year and I was starting to get tired of it.  Jeff made it simple,  “It’s only $10 more, you’ve got to do it. You just have to!”  Jeff had a point, $10 more and I’d be running a 21K in less than 1 hour and a half. I’m already running, I run in my sleep. It is not just the shirt, but for the miles and experience, I will be taking in. Why not?

I was hesitant at first, because I felt the jitters and in my mind I thought to myself I really am not ready to run a 21K / half marathon.  I have not run a half/full marathon since 2007.  I have not trained enough; see below these “excuses/reasons on why I will not run more than a 10k” Excuses / Reasons why I did not consider doing the 21K:

• I work everyday
• I do not have enough time to train
• I didn’t run today
• Too Busy with other activities/things

Nevertheless, I run six almost seven times a week.  Wait a minute, I am trained!  It is a matter of mental stability and just doing it. The phrase “just doing it” reminded me of a Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter retreat my brothers and me forced to attend in 2008 called “Edge.”  There was a fellow brother, guy, and motivational speaker named Rod Raymond. Rod, a 20-time Ironman Triathlon, wellness director, and educator gave us this great acronym DIRN – meaning Do It Right Now. What “DIRN” meant to me besides “Do It Right Now” was to just jump bare feet in and take that risk.  What do you have to lose?  That is how I felt about this particular event, questions – should I just do the 10K or should I do the 21K?

I am glad I went to Edge, I had a blast, and I learned a lot not just about bonding and brotherhood but applying initiative and leadership in both my business and personal life.  

Thank you to the SigEp brothers and to Rod for his inspirational outlook on life. I am planning to send Rod e-mail today about what I am doing and what he has said inspired me to say “Yes.”

I believe it’s the little things that people do for you make life quite alright! Thinking about what Rod, Jeff, and fellow friends said – This all gave me the courage to call Ann Mickey over at Xterra Planet and transfer my name to the 21K challenge. So I am doing the Xterra Xduro 21K – I’m hoping I will place in the top three. LOL I just saw the confirmed attendants for the race, it is certainly doable.  I am looking forward to running 13.1 miles around what I become familiar now to Browns Island and trail running.  I will certainly look forward to retiring my Asics after this one.  I’ll be sure to post my training and nutrition blog on the Xterra races tomorrow and I promise it will get healthier.  I was on some bad food tangent but I’m back on my grind.

Here I go, doing it again!  Cheers!