In the past, I've wondered why on earth anyone would want to do such a thing. I'm now asking myself, "Why do you want to do such a thing?" I'm going to explore my decision here. Really. I've made mention in passing on twitter, but this is the first time I'm sorting through it.
Subconscious Good Feeling
I've always been a guy that works on "feel" and intuition in many areas. Our subconscious minds are fascinating things and I've come to depend on mine for some of my decision-making (which has not always
worked out well).
I picture the subconscious mind as a wheel that spins exponentially faster as it sorts through our memories, feelings, old thoughts, wants, experiences, needs, failures and successes much faster than the conscious mind. When presented with a decision, the subconscious goes to work and in short order downloads it's findings to the conscious mind.
I don't recall the catalyst event, even though it was only a few days ago (which is another reason I rely on my subconscious - my conscious mind has proven itself unreliable), but I quickly came to the decision that I need to complete a marathon. It gave me a good feeling. It felt like something that needed to be done.
What Possible Reason?!
Let's see. The first thing that comes to mind is Competition and Accomplishment. In this instance, those two terms are one in the same. I'm certain I'll never win a marathon, not even my age group. So, where's the competition? Well, It seems like tons more people are running marathons nowadays than just a few years ago, but not many of my male friends have done it. There's your competition factor: Once I ACCOMPLISH the goal, I'll be one up on them. Selfish? Yep.
Marathon Reason #2: My Health
The marathon proper won't do much for my health, the training and diet needed to get there will do wonders.
I've been sporadically active throughout my life. I love to play golf and enjoy the great outdoors. In the last few years, I've ran almost a handful of 5Ks. Every year, however, sees me complete two to three months of good exercise and diet before I get impatient, push too hard, hurt something and then take nine months off.
This time, I have a written plan to follow for physical training and diet. I will follow it! I will not hurt my knees, calf muscles, hamstrings or anything else that tries to wimp out on me. A message to my body: There will be no excuses!
Good training and diet necessarily lead away from the dangers of fast food and a sedentary life. It should also help reduce the high cholesterol and high blood pressure I inherited from my parents.
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| I am not in this picture, yet. |
Marathon Reason #3: My Children
I passed 40 in the relatively recent past, but neither of my children have reached double digits (D1 is a week shy of 10). On my present track, I'll be lucky to see them enter their third decade. That isn't a pleasant thought.
I want to see them grow and flourish and have their own families. I'm sure they'll want me to be along for the ride, as well, except, of course, during the teenage years.
We can't control disease, accidents, and the like, but a few things are in our hands. Fitness, physical and mental, is one of the things I can control that will help ensure I'm around for several more decades.
Marathon Reason #4: Travel
I saw a tweet about @runDisney, went to the runDisney website, saw a training program and diet recommendations that I can handle and my subconscious began to whirl. I decided to make the Walt Disney World Marathon my goal. January 12, 2014 here I come!
I love Disney World more than anyone in my family. If you knew my family, you'd understand the full extent of that statement. A weekend of Pirates of the Caribbean, Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, princesses (for the benefit of my daughters), fireworks, and running put me over the top.
By the way, @runDisney has put together a top-notch site and several great races of varying lengths. The whole family can get involved. I am amazed at how well they've put together events and laid things out on the website.
Reason #5: Peer Pressure
I have several twitter friends that are runners. Some are younger than me, some are my age, some are older, much older. If they can do it, so can I. Competition rears its head again.
That's my exploration of my own subconscious. It may disagree with the reasons I've listed, but it isn't telling me anything different at the moment.
I'm sure I'll write, tweet, and generally expound on my journey and how it impacts my kids, wife, family and myself. Let's hope I stay healthy. #TGBTG
Image courtesy mguertin.
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