Running 365: Day 2

The rain poured as Tracy and I took off at 11:11AM for his 11 mile run. It was 1/1/11 and we wanted to find a worthy reason to run on Day 1 of 2011. The cold rain was a far cry from the last serious run I had with Tracy on the North Shore of Oahu.

Headed over some long ascents followed by some rolling hills along the lake, we were thrilled to have Be Change Runner Erika Small, joined us at mile 3. The three of us embraced the run, the rain, and the reason.

Mind swirling with race dates, I was determined to finalize which marathons, ultras, and shorts I would run. Maybe you are venturing into the running world for the first time. My friend BK is diving in. He had a staggering goal for 2011. With one marathon in 2005 under his belt and little running since, we have ventured into an aggressive, injury free, run schedule starting in January with a 5k. We will continue to ramp up with a healthy goals and successful steps towards his goals.

What are your goals? Have you ever wanted to be part of something larger than you? A team of people gathered for a common cause? Have you ever wanted to line up and run a race and recieve a medal of completion? You can.

Each person has a story. What is yours?

Begin to dream. Create a running calendar and start training...slowly. There are others out there wanting to do what you are venturing to do.

To start, visit this race list for runs near you.

Until then, lace 'em up and get out there today.

JAS

*PICTURE: Tracy and I running the North Short of Oahu in late November.

Running 365: Day 1

I've awaited the arrival of 2011. Twenty-ten was a fabulous year. It began with Michelle and Ashley crewing Ray in his first race of the BAD 135 Cup. I met him in Minnesota and cheered, supported and crewed him to a (-)fifty cold finish.

For me the year was spent in Rehab for my broken tibia. I never dreamed that the year would lead me to multiple 50 milers, a DNF on Rio Del Lago with Kidney Failure and the birthing of our own race in August of 2011...(more on that another day.)

I think of the more than 200 runners we have trained this year to 'resist the common.' I think of the Be Change Running Family that spread to Pennsylvania and now, Texas (DC) and Arizona (JS). I think of the numerous runners here in Sacramento that I call family. From Lodi to Loomis- From San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe...Be Change Runners...embracing pain for purpose. I am thankful.

Even as I blog this, Tracy Neal, a recent first time marathon finisher is texting me. "Rally Harp, "It's 1/1/11. At 11:11AM, I am running for 111 minutes." He is contagious. I probably need to grab my shoes and run with him.

What would this year look like if I ran everyday? Could my body handle it. What if I journaled it. What if I took a blunt look at the mental joust of hating it and loving it-needing it and dreading it. Would anyone read it?

What if I wrote about the pain and purpose that comes with running? What if I spoke to the aches and pains, the nutrition and race scheduling? What if I brain dumped all things running here?

I get to run with Tracy on his run...in the rain.

What if? Day One, done.

*Picture: Jimmy Dean Freeman, Jason Harper, Christina Silvas, Ray Sanchez on the course run of what will be Run for a Reason's IRON EXPRESS ENDURANCE RUN; July, 2010