Week 5 of 7
Since it’s cold this morning, I defer my long run until lunch time and head out the door. The route is an out ‘n back to the car dealership. Although I shouldn’t go out that far, when I make a loop around two fast-food restaurants that lay just beyond the dealership my only option is use my two feet get home.
Weather-wise, it’s a beautiful day outside. I do the mileage that I wanted to do and feel good about it. Tomorrow is suppose to bring the same kind of cool Floridian weather where the highs peak at the mid-fifties.
Assuming that I don’t twist or pull something in the next two weeks, finishing Gasparilla [the marathon] is certainly doable.
It’s all downhill from here. 
Round 2
On Dailymile I notice someone mentioning something about it.
Reading about someone getting in reminds me to see when the deadline is. Since I’m not fast I have to attempt use the lottery as a means for entry. This year’s lottery deadline shifts earlier to March 15th. Last year’s deadline was in mid-summer.
I apply for a second consecutive time.
Week 4 of 7
I see them out there on this unusually cold and windy morning, running along the asphalt trail, only I am driving in my car. As of last week, I resume my old running routine. The long run gets done. My Garmin Forerunner 205 watch no longer beeps, and if it does it’s faint. Searching around on the ‘net, the problem might be due to sweat sweeping into speaker holes on the watch’s underside and corroding the speaker. Of course, the watch is out of warranty, but it still works.
At this point, I am not really concerned about the marathon. I know I can complete it. It’s the “what’s next” question that bothers me for it remains unanswered.
The Book Corner
This is the last from the batch of books that I bought last summer. Of the three male authors that I read, I figure that I choose a female author for variety’s sake. I prefer books that tell a tale; however this one does not fall into that category.
Each chapter is a life lesson that is connected to running. One chapter echos non-materialism which is a common theme found in other running books. Of the lessons that stands out is: Starting Lines.
… Nothing started, nothing experienced, nothing learned, nothing finished …
We need to do more than just avoid them [starting lines]. We need to actively seek them out. Otherwise, we grow stagnant.
Week 2 of 7
Like the first week, I have not done much running. Part of me wished that I did not sign-up for another so soon. Another part reminds me that I need to get back into the routine.