So where is everybody? On the 'runnerschallenge'? Well, you knew what this running thing would turn into. I have got an idea. Although it may not work if TnT are going to the Far East. We should really do one of these relays together. The Hood to Coast would be a great one just because it is so close. So it is a relay of 197 miles, 12 runners. Each runner runs 3 legs about 4-5 hours in between legs, each leg being 3-8 miles, varying in difficulty. Then you need two vans to drive. It is more fun than you would think, but takes some preparation and forsight.

First of all you need 12 people. These are the ones I could muster up: Dave, Adina, Tom, Tracey, Paige, Marnie, Anne, Peter?, Kim?, Treven?, Mom?, Brent, Buffy?, Mike?, Brooke?, Brian?. Drivers: anyone that doesn't run and Dad...unless Dad wants to run (which I personally think you are totally capable of).

Second, you have to commit. And I don't mean get excited and then bail 6 months before. You need to COMMIT. It is a pain to try to find a replacement, and it isn't as fun as the original team.

The third thing you need is to register. You typically have to register a full year in advance, and you are not guaranteed a spot. So we are talking at the very earliest August, 2009, maybe August, 2010. This gives you PLENTY of time to either continue exercising like you are or SLOWLY, VERY SLOWLY ramp it up. Remember, this isn't a race to major mileage, it is a steady course to changing your lifestyle to choose to be fit. If you do it too fast...burnout....right back to where you started possibly with an injury.

Seriously, anyone can do this. I have run it and seen the people that run it. It isn't as crazy as you think. AND, it isn't a race against others. You run to try to get as close as you can to what you predicted. As your training increases approaching the race, you run a 10k and get your average pace. On my team now, we have people from a 7 minute mile to a 11 minute mile. It doesn't matter how fast you run it, just that you do it in the time you predicted. So, NO PRESSURE. Just make sure you train for whatever speed you are going to run.

I can promise you it is truly an experience like no other and you will remember it for a lifetime. Plus, the bonus of getting fit. There is plenty of time so that you could, starting now with a 1/2 mile run, increase each time you run 3-5 times a week by 100 feet. That's it, 100 feet. No matter what body you have, you will accomodate to that additional 30 steps over time and it won't seem overbearing. By the time the race arrives, if you are running about 20 miles a week, you are set.

Think about it.

Dave