Marathon? Why not
I’LL start this by being completely honest.
I’ve committed to running a marathon before. In fact, I’ve committed 10 times before – and never once completed the run.
Oh, yes, there were some extenuating circumstances. When the KFC double-down came out I had to chow down a few of those the night before the race! And I needed beer to wash it down! Needless to say I didn’t make it to the starting, let alone the finish line.
Let’s start with basic facts, shall we? I am 35, weigh 98kg, which if you know anything (and you do if you’ve read this far) makes me morbidly obese.
I also drink, really drink. I can polish off two bottles of inexpensive Portuguese plonk in one night and still rise (earlyish) to face the day.
Believe me, that is something of an achievement.
But despite this success, I have had some warning signPeter Lorimers. For example, my brother, a doctor married to a South African supermodel, considers that I should have died years ago. He calls me “lard boy’’ and laments my staying power.
So, I have decided to run in the Gold Coast Marathon to spite him.
This is all a sign of a healthy mindset (at least that is what my psychologist says).
So what is this column all about?
Well, because I am your average joe-cumwishful thinker-cumrunner, my editor and boss has decided I am the ideal candidate to show people how it’s done.
I will prepare and run in the marathon on July 1. That’s 20 weeks and one day from today and 10 years after initially conceiving of the idea. You will agree it is a splendid idea.
Each week I will take you through the highs (which may involve actual running) and lows (alcohol and Dominos goodness) and general psychological torment of agreeing to something and then actually having to do it.
This will involve some actual useful information, believe me, but this is just the first so don’t set the bar too high, OK?
I’ll show you how I plan, execute the plan (the hard bit) and the general health benefits of running and getting the ol’ heart pumping (read: two more years on earth).
It is all in writing now. And video too. The times we live in, eh?