The long run...

"You can go the distance...
We'll find out
In the long run."
 - The Eagles
Well, the time is near, and I will be running my first official half-marathon this Sunday.

Fuck.

Today is when the self-doubt and worry started creeping in...asking myself "Am I ready?  Am I rushing this?  Will I make it through?  Did I train right?  Did I train ENOUGH?"

All these questions and more will be answered Sunday in New Orleans!!!

I'm excited, nervous, apprehensive...all for a whole lot of reasons.  Understandably so, I think.  This will be the first time I set foot in this city since August.  Those of you who know me know why, and as I had explained in my last blog post, there are many reasons for me doing this race in that city.

With all that said, I can only wish for a good showing, that I finish well, and that I do everyone proud that has followed me on this journey to this point.  It's been a long, strange trip getting to here, for sure.

Oh, I did some damage,
Didn't know I was so lonely until I met you...

So, let's review:

I started running to get healthy, lose weight and look better for someone I loved...and for myself, too.  The weight was coming off, I was looking better, and I kinda fell into a routine of 'maintenance' when it came to exercise.  It could have been worse - I could have been doing nothing at all - but I was somewhat content with my progress.

Then the relationship ended.

Someone once said that the best way to lose weight was to go through a break-up.  So, I put that frustration, anger, and disappointment into my fitness.  I started back at the gym again, and I really started to increase my runs.   I went from averaging about 1.5 miles a run to over 5.25 miles per run over the past 7 months.  I had lost about 30lbs or so before August, and have lost 11 more since, plus taking a bunch of inches off my body.  Went from a size XXL shirt to a size L, and in some instances a size M.  Dropped about 4" off my waistline as well.  I had committed myself to a Half Marathon in Disney World in April, too.

But then in December I decided I needed another 'push'.  April seemed so far off, and I was making good progress with my running, so I looked into the Rock N Roll Marathon series.  My friend Jason had run the Las Vegas RnR marathon in November, and I was already thinking I may want to run the San Diego RnR in June.  Lo and behold, I saw that there was a 3-pack that you could purchase and run ANY 3 races you wanted.  I grabbed it...and then started testing myself.

Over the Christmas holiday I was home in NY at my mothers house.  The weather was ridiculously warm - it was 66 degrees on Christmas day - and I set out to hit a milestone...a 10 mile run.

Not only did I do it, I didn't feel like my legs were going to fall off!!

I decided to the New Orleans Half Marathon at that point.

Who is gonna make it?
We'll find out
In the long run...

Since then, I have had to learn a LOT more about running, stretching, training and eating properly.  I have pulled hamstrings, pinched nerves, hurt hips, been a regular at my chiropractor...and now it's pretty much 'go' time.

That's it.  There is nothing more to say!  I can't train any more than I have for the race...all I can do now is ask for your continued support.  If anyone is reading this, you can actually follow me on my run with a tracker that sends results to your cell phone!  It's pretty cool...  Click here and you'll be taken to the the 'Competitor Wireless' page.  It asks you to select an event - in this case, use 'Humana RNR Marathon New Orleans' and then enter my name - Michael Venezia.

Follow the instructions and you'll get real time updates throughout the run, I believe.

Anyways, that's all for now...less than 72 hours to go.  I fly from Pittsburgh to New Orleans tomorrow, and I am excited to get there.  This should be a very interesting experience, so keep me in your thoughts, and for those that have inspired and encouraged me along the way - THANK YOU SO MUCH!  I owe you a debt of gratitude that I can never repay.

People talkin' 'bout is
they got nothing else to do
when it all comes down
we will still come through...
In the long run...

Much love to you all...

 - Mike