Blisters, heat wave, and a single step

The first week of marathon training is humbling to say the least. If staring at the full schedule of days and miles the night before your first monday doesn't intimidate you, then waking up and actually completing the miles will certainly do it. This is my second time around training for a marathon - which doesn't make it any easier. In fact, this time may prove to be more difficult as the first-timer anticipation is nearly obsolete.

My weeks ideally consist of five days of running, one day of cross-training and one rest day. I did not find any reason to stray from my first training program, as it got me over the finish line in the 2009 Chicago Marathon. It was a thrill to culminate all my efforts over four months to a single race. This year, I will be signing up for the Des Moines Marathon - one that is said to be a bit different in scenery and environment. Nonetheless, putting your mind on a single goal ahead is inspiring and will definitely keep me disciplined this summer.

Today was the last day of week one in which I only accomplished about half of the scheduled miles. I made the great mistake of running at noon in the 85 degree sun. One would think that experience makes one wise, but we tend to repress our biggest blunders and tragedies only to replicate them in the future.

The beginning of any journey takes a lof of will and patience. (And advil, icyhot, and cold showers)

A World Renewed

I welcome back all and myself. In the event of gandering over a good friend's blog about international studies and experiences, I have been motivated to reinvent my own blogging experience which was started a while back. The last posts I displayed were formulated near the middle of my freshman year at Drake University - about a year and a half ago. Since then, I have experienced more than enough to justify the renewal of my blog. I considered deactivating my existing blog and creating an entirely new page. However, I quickly realized that, even with new interests, qualities and values in my life, I am still the same person simply with a few new insights on life. And with a matured self (in the essence of time), I have updated and rennovated the former exterior of my blog.

To begin, I edited the most obvious reflection of a person's blog - the title. My blog was formerly titled "Celebrate we will - because life is short but sweet for certain" in tribute to The Dave Matthews Band and the beauty of life itself. It seemed fitting considering the blog was initially created in requirement for a first year seminar at Drake, which was premised around philosophical thought. Although I continue my attempts at philosophical stimulation each day, I have decided to turn my blogging experience into honoring the more tangible qualities of my life. In particular, running (hence the new title). I credit John Bingham, an avid amateur runner, to the title of my blog. The quote is to be taken literally, as Bingham (and I) truly believe that you can physically run away from your troubles.

This will likely not turn into an accredited blog to be seen in Runnersworld, but as one of the greatest humble passions of my life, I intend to document it (as well as other becoming passions) onto all the computer screens of the world.

In standard concerning nature, I always try to appeal to the greatest of crowds. And subjecting a blog to a single nature would be against my true grain. So in that essence, this is not a running blog, but rather a blog based on running. And for all that are familiar with the sport, it's known that running often entails more than a pair of feet hitting the ground. Running invokes health, tranquility and compassion to all our lives - all of which spark interest in an amenity of topics.

Happy summer to all, and don't forget to pay the trails a visit once and a while.