Let’s run 13.1 miles together…

Posted on 28. Dec, 2009 by Brett in Etc

Took a big step in 2009 by running the Country Music Half Marathon which happened last April in Nashville, TN. Let me qualify this by saying that I am no super-athlete. I was an average basketball and football player in high school and a slightly less mediocre intramural athlete in college. After gaining 30 pounds post college and my japanese friend Hiro constantly pointing at my belly and saying “You have babies, Brett?”, I decided it was time to do something about it. So I signed up for a half marathon with a few other friends. Like most other people, I hated running, but I considered the benefits…

  • Decrease the size of my “baby bump”
  • Feel better
  • More energy throughout the day
  • Strengthened immune system (haven’t gotten sick this year)
  • Strengthened heart (kind of a big deal)
  • Get smarter by listening to podcasts during training
  • Pray while running
  • Fun race day atmosphere with 30,000 other runners and 1000’s of people cheering you on
  • Huge sense of accomplishment

When I started running, I could not run a mile without walking. It was bad. I’m talking felt-like-a-Lego-Optimus-Prime-lodged-in-my-lungs bad. But I stuck it out, trained at my own (slow) pace, and finished the half marathon with a respectable time, just over 2 hours. Granted, I left the race in an ambulance, but that’s a story for a different day. :)

I’m challenging all the TRAPPSTR.com readers to do this half marathon with me on April 24, 2010. I don’t want your excuses! I know you hate running and I know you don’t have time. None of us has time. Your health matters (ask Urban Meyer) and you’ll be amazed at the motivation that will mystically appear when you’re training towards a fixed date on a calendar. There are tons of free online training resources, and of course I’ll offer my purely unprofessional advice along the way as well.

I registered today and would love for some of you guys to do this race with me. We can eat together the night before and hang out. And you know you don’t want to miss the first ever TRAPPSTR.com party ;). Shoot me an email if you’re interested and want more information (iamtrappstratgmaildotcom).

New Year’s resolutions are worthless. But accomplishing real, tangible goals with other people is the path to change.

Do it.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE COUNTRY MUSIC MARATHON WEBSITE

Have you ever run a half or full marathon? What did you learn? Would you recommend it?

12 Responses to “Let’s run 13.1 miles together…”

  1. Jason Clotfelter

    28. Dec, 2009

    I have completed both the St. Jude and County Music half marathons…both were amazing leaving me with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Training became easier as I fell into a group of fellow contestants.

  2. Barry Byrd

    28. Dec, 2009

    JB and I are signing up for the 1/2 marathon in Nashville. She will be 4 months post baby and I will be 4 months post holiday weight…look forward to it. See you there MBT!

  3. Collin Rector

    28. Dec, 2009

    I’m in! However, to make it interesting let’s place a little wager on it. $50 to the fastest time! Will you take the bet?

    *Note: I’ve never run in any sort of event so you are already one up on me.

  4. Candice Watson

    29. Dec, 2009

    I am doing the Miami ING 1/2 Marathon January 31… And I’m nervous b/c it’s my first! All the best as you work toward your second Big Race!!!

  5. Matt @ The Church of No People

    29. Dec, 2009

    Sorry Brett, I hate running, and I know you don’t care about excuses, but I don’t care that you don’t care! Ah well, best of luck to you, and I really do admire anyone who can put their minds to that. I’m trying to get back to the gym in a serious way, so I guess that’s my fitness goal.

  6. Michael

    29. Dec, 2009

    I’m registered. We have 16 weeks from this Saturday.

    Should be interesting…

  7. Flan

    29. Dec, 2009

    I will be registering tomorrow for my second CMHM. I enjoyed it last year except the heat and having to come to the hospital to pick you but looking forward to this years race! I will be running as FLAN and not Chris Clark!

  8. Roger

    29. Dec, 2009

    I’ll be there my friend.

  9. Brett

    29. Dec, 2009

    Glad to see all you guys doing this. I started training this morning in sub-freezing temps and am already fired up!

  10. Dana Stout

    30. Dec, 2009

    Kevin & I are planning on it. We were just talking about it. We’ve run it twice before & it’s a lot of fun!!

  11. Jessica

    02. Jan, 2010

    Last year I bailed on training and gave Wes the money that I would have spent on the marathon because he was doing it for a much better reason. This year I decided that this is something I have to do before I turn 30 next year. But what makes it easier is that a bunch of people from our church are partnering together and running with Powered By Hope. So Im excited! LOVE your last statment on this page!

  12. Chris Clark

    04. Jan, 2010

    YYYEEEAAAHHHH, I’m in….. No wait, I’m not sure??? OK, definitely maybe?!?!?!?!

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