June 19, 2006

Columbus Marathon

Over the past few years I have had a growing desire to run a marathon. In fact, I've tried to train for a marathon several times. Each time I've gotten a little bit further than the last time. I guess that I could look at them as failed attempts. But, each time, I learned so much about myself, my ability to train, my motivation and determination, and my time management skills that I can't really say that I've failed anywhere. I just postponed further training until a later date.

Recently, I took a positive psychology course. This Thursday, I will take my final exam for my weight lifting course. These two courses have provided me with a wealth of information that I believe will significantly improve my ability to follow through with my program. The positive psychology course taught me how to develop effective goals and how to implement them (a hint, your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and tangible). I also learned attentional control methodologies, how to gain a greater control over my flow state (also known as "the zone" or "being on fire"), and how evaluate past performance and reenergize and remotivate myself for future performance. In my weight lifting class, I added strength, gained a new awareness of my physical boundaries, and finally learned how to eat well in order to recover optimally from a difficult workout.

So, on October 15, 2006, I, Mendon, will run my first marathon in the flatlands of Columbus, Ohio. 26.2 miles that I am committed to running. I am telling everyone because I want encouragement but I also want everyone to know that I have this goal. I want to feel accountable to everyone by publicly informing you that I will run the Columbus Marathon. I also have a goal of running it between 3:15 and 3:30 but will run it faster if I can. I think that this will be a fabulous way to celebrate my twenty-second birthday, just recovered from running my first ever marathon! Furthermore, I want to dedicate my training and my performance to my mother as an acknowledgement of how much she's been through, dealing with pancreatic cancer, and a testament to how much more difficutly she still faces.

Posted by Mendon at June 19, 2006 10:05 PM
Comments

Thank you! I feel so honored. I know you can do this! I will be cheering you on, even if I don't make it to Columbus that day (and I just might!)

By the way, does eating to recover optimally from a difficult workout include chocolate grenages? (hehehe)

Posted by: Ma at June 20, 2006 1:19 PM

Often, it also includes Krispy Kremes, Peanut M&Ms, M&M chocolate chip cookies, and Ice Cream - plain, no grenade, to name a few things that have been in the repertoire this week.

I, too, am glad to see you committed so sincerely to this.

Posted by: Kristen at June 20, 2006 2:35 PM

One day far off when you are a doctorate and teaching forlorned someones much like yourself now, you will be able to say " I've been running for X number of years now." I've learned some key things about myself and life in that time. You will list them ,of course, to whomever may be listening. They will be impressed at your dedication and your good health. They are fair rewards for due diligence. And you don't have to tell them about the m & m's and ice creams and such. In time they will, if also so motivated to exercise, learn many truths also. Keep it up. I do also remember when Kristen went with you. Let us know if and when you do run the Columbus marathon.

Posted by: papa D at June 20, 2006 8:41 PM

Mensch, we think this is awesome and fully support it. You may want to contact a certain Dr. J about this, as she is known for running in marathons which take place in Columbus, too. If you need a place to stay before and after, there are a number of people - both family and friends - who we're sure would be happy to help you out. Just let us know and we'll put you in touch. Who knows, they might even be willing to come out and cheer you on. In fact, the same goes for you, Maman & Papa. Kristen, are you going to run, too? Let us know when we can tell the Columbus community to support this endeavor! (okay, we may be doing this like, tomorrow when we visit with some Columbus pilgrims)

Posted by: Mara & Mark at June 21, 2006 3:43 AM

About running. I'm going to at the very least take advantage of all of the running Mendon is doing and how much easier it makes it for me to run when I can just follow in suit. I keep thinking about the marathon, and it is attractive, but it feels SOOO unattainable with all that I have on my plate. BUT, I'm hoping to quit my job and stop worring about Spanish; that would definitely make it available. So the answer is a big "We'll see."

Posted by: Kristen at June 21, 2006 12:51 PM

Update: I won't be in the marathon. Mendon asked me to not participate, and I can do him that favor. So, I'll enjoy running for recreation, but Mendon wants this marathon to be "his" and I guess I would confuse that if I participated, even if we weren't running together. There will be others.

Posted by: Kristen at June 26, 2006 9:16 AM