Why?

There is no single answer as to why I have decided to take on this challenge. I know I was burned out after 2011 and running wasn't fun. I had always told my running groups that when it stopped being fun, it was time to stop. I did that, then I missed the challenge. I had friends attempting to qualify for Boston in 2013 and I felt let out of the process. I saw their excitement and I wanted to feel that again. The tragic events at this years marathon solidified my decision to get back to Boston.

Prior to running Boston in 2011, I was given a shirt by my running group that was imprinted with the following, "Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston", directions for the last half-mile of the Boston Marathon. I still have that shirt and I see it almost every day. My yellow race shirt from 2011 hangs next to it. It's time to wear them again.

It's time to make one more "Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston". 

My Schedule of Races

On October 20, 2013, I will be running the Empire State Half-Marathon in Syracuse, NY. On January 26, 2014, I will run the Celebration Half-Marathon in Celebration, FL. I will be using each of these events to gauge my progress and determine the next goal. If I am satisfied with my progress and finish times, I will again register for and run the Mohawk-Hudson Marathon, in Albany, NY, on October 12, 2014.

The Boston Athletic Association will allocate an additional 15 minutes toward my qualifying time as of my birthday on October 4th. In order to BQ, I need to run a time of less than 4:25. You see it pays to get older!

The Odyssey

I was having a difficult time selecting a name for this blog. At some point earlier this morning the word "odyssey" popped into my mind. The dictionary defines it as, "any extended wandering or journey." PERFECT!! I do hope the wandering is kept to a minimum. My extended journey, when complete, will end on April 18, 2016, at the Boston Marathon. I realize that is just under 3 years away. You may ask, "why wait so long?" My answer is this. I have slacked off considerably since running the Boston Marathon in 2011. I've run two half-marathons and maintenance miles, but nothing to get me to the level of a Boston qualifying time "BQ". If I'm going to do this, I'm going to do it correctly. I can run a comfortable 6 miles. Sunday, I will be running 8 miles. I have a schedule planned out that sets goals for me through October 2014. October 2014 is when I will attempt to run my "BQ".

I've decided to keep the posts in this blog short. I will update it frequently. I appreciate you following me on this journey. As this is a work in progress, I will add photos and quotes in the near future.