OK, the title of this post may be a little harsh, but if we’re being honest with one another, they both do suck.

The point is, only one is supposed to.  (*see note at end of post)

####

I don’t have any New Year’s resolutions.

I didn’t set any this year, or last, or the year before.

Just reading the lines above may send the voice inside your head jumping up and down, screaming in an inaudible, yet judgmental tone, “What!!??  Is he serious???  This is time for change!  It’s 2012!!!!  Wahoooo!!!  Cue the memory fireworks!!!”

I get it.  I used to think that way too.

I would get caught up, just like the majority, in all that is great with the hype of resolutions brought on by the New Year.

The last “New Year’s Resolution” I remember setting came after seeing a movie with the family over the holidays.

The lead actor, Will Smith, was in riiiiii-diculous shape!  That prompted me to go home and research how he had transformed his body from those “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” days. (Yes, ladies, guys really think like this!   At least I did, haha!)

Within minutes of beginning my search, I found an interview that had then recently been done in conjunction with the movie, in which Smith stated that in addition to a weight-training program, he ran some 30 miles per week.

So with little thought and absolutely no planning, I set my New Year’s resolution:  Run 30 miles per week!

I literally went from zero miles, to thrusting myself into 30 miles per week on the first of January.  In truth, I hadn’t run 30 miles in the previous 10 years combined.

Does that sound silly to you?

How long do you think I kept with my New Year’s Resolution?

I ran 30 miles per week for just over five weeks, until I was sent on a work trip that placed me in 35-degree weather.  That lingering winter cold was a big enough excuse for my resolution to wither away.

I didn’t really “run” again until I “trained” for my first half marathon, two years ago.

Just recounting that story makes me cringe, but is my story really much different than yours?

Have you planned for success?  Have you thought out each phase and visualized your victory?

If not, your resolution this year may sadly falter just like those of New Year’s past.

####

“Popular” New Year’s Resolutions

• Lose Weight
• Exercise More
• Eat Better
• Quit Smoking
• Drink less alcohol
• Get out of debt
• Save money
• Volunteer
• Be more organized
• Watch less television
• Improve education
• Learn a new language or musical instrument

And the list goes on and on and on….

####

Why New Year’s Resolutions DON’T Work

I could spend thousands of words describing why, but this quote sums it up:

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.”

The origins of that all so true series of words may be up for debate, but I first read them in a book by John Wooden some 14 years ago.

That quote, while really so fundamentally simple, is seemingly so difficult when almighty inspiration strikes!

And what fuels resolutions after the first of the year??  Inspiration of course!

Why I didn’t launch mevsMJ.com When Inspiration Struck

If I had launched this site when the idea of mevsMJ.com exploded in my head, I would have surely failed.

I wasn’t ready.  I wasn’t prepared.

The idea was there.  The passion was without a doubt there.  The plan however, was not!

Publishing my first post when all that fueled me was a passionate idea, would have almost certainly led me to the same conclusion as running those 30 miles a week did.

Instead I did my best to write and write and write without publishing a word.  While most of the reasoning for my delayed launch was so wrong, taking the time to think through what I wanted to accomplish, and discuss, as well as, come up with some sort of plan with someone who already maintained a successful blog, is a large part of why I’m still going today.

Resolutions ARE Good, but Defined Goals are GREAT!

Please don’t misunderstand me; making a commitment to change and improve oneself is GREAT!

I absolutely LOOOOOOOVE that!

In order for you to really enact change though, you need to take the inspiration and make it a lifestyle and that can only happen with a plan!

Are You Being S.M.A.R.T. About What You Want to Accomplish?

Specific

Measurable

Attainable (all things are btw)

Relevant

Timely

*The above mnemonic has been around for decades and is a great tool to get you more structured as you begin setting goals/resolutions for yourself.

My Big Goal:  Play Michael Jordan 1-on-1

When I set out on this journey, playing hoops with Michael Jordan was the goal and still is.

Was it S.M.A.R.T.?  Yes, even as large of a goal as playing MJ is, it still met every step.

(Keep in mind I originally would have played hoops with MJ, one year from the creation of this site if his camp hadn’t been canceled.)

Sub Goals

Without making this too academic (I’ll let the PhDs do that) I always set sub goals to further breakdown my ultimate goal.

At the beginning I set the following four sub goals:  Get in the best shape of my life, Become the best basketball player I can be, Enjoy every second of the journey, and Attend Michael Jordan Senior Flight School.

Those four encompassed what I wanted to accomplish, but in no way were detailed enough to be measurable.

Sub Goal:  Get In The Best Shape Of My Life!

Taking a look at my goal of getting in the best shape of my life as an example.

It began with training for and completing two half marathons and then continuing to run some 20 miles per week for the next year.  I then incorporated more basketball specific workouts, pulling from my experience at Impact Basketball.  Then in November, I made a three-month long commitment to train with B Meyer and his team.

For me, it’s always been about keeping it fresh and having fun.  It’s also about learning and growing.

At this point my sub goal of achieving the best conditioning of life, has become a lifestyle for me.

If I look at myself prior to beginning this site, to where I am now, everything from my daily eating habits, to my conditioning has improved drastically.

I AM in the BEST Shape of my Life!

I absolutely love and am proud of the fact that I can go run 10 miles anytime.

It began with a 2 mile jog.  It began with a scheduled plan of attack.

On Tuesday morning, I repped out more pull-ups even on my third set of my circuit training, than I can ever remember doing and I was beyond enthused at my progress.

It began with a single repetition.  It began with a scheduled plan of attack.

“A 6 or a 7”

During the first training session I went through with Coach B Meyer and Dave Rubin they constantly gauged my effort output.

They wanted no more than a 6 to 7 out of a maximum 10, when it came to effort put forth on an individual exercise.

Coach Meyer told me, “I could put you through Dwight’s workout (Dwight Howard), but you wouldn’t be able to move for days.  That’s not the goal!”

Instead the focus was on technique and building a foundation.

You see they understand that a 6 or a 7, and a 6 or a 7, and a 6 or a 7, and a 6 or a 7, when totaled is far more than a couple of 10s.

Eventually that effort level can increase of course, but first the foundation must be set.

Why You Should Stop Giving It Your ALL

My natural tendency with anything I really want to do is to go all out!

I think it’s within all of us to want success quickly, so we lie to ourselves and make ourselves believe that if we skip steps we will get to our goal quicker.

When I first started running, I’d be so amped up that I’d almost take off sprinting!  That’d be fine if I was running a short distance, but when you’re running five miles or more, it’s definitely not the way to go (in the beginning).

I had to learn to control my excitement for being out there and distribute my energy effectively so that I could finish strong.

After quite some time, I got to where I could run at a fairly quick pace the entire way, but the foundation of proper conditioning through miles and miles of running had to be set first.

This of course is applicable to anything in life.

Success is a process that requires days and days of hard work.

Knowing that, you must pace yourself!

You always want to do the best you can do, but it’s true, sometimes a little less over and over again equates to more.

Accountability Partner(s)

Even with S.M.A.R.T. goals fully planned out, written down and detailed, you need to establish accountability partners.

This is with anything in life!

Find people with similar interests, partner up and hold one another accountable.  As I’ve stated in the past, if you can choose, find someone that is currently better than you at whatever it is you want to do to partner up with.  This is how you truly grow and get better!

January 1^st DOESN’T Cause Change, YOU DO!

Whether it’s the first of January, August 22^nd, or any other day, you can make a decision to change at any moment!

Set a goal, make a plan, gain accountability and make your dreams come true.

It’s never been about the New Year, it’s always been about YOU!

Happy New Year!

Yes, yes…the journey continues!!!

####

*Note:  My Dyson does a great job!

####

BIG NEWS UPCOMING!

So I’ve whispered about the upcoming news to a few and very soon I can let everyone in on what is coming up!

I will tell you that it IS about basketball and it’s not about vacuums!

Giddy up!  It’s going to be a fun ride/flight (hint, hint)!!!

Connect:  Twitter (@KennyEller) and mevsMJ.com Facebook Fan Page.

In 2010 I went from hating running to enjoying it.  From sitting on my couch to running over 530 miles.  I ran two half marathons.  I ran during the week in the mornings or evenings for fun.   From last summer through my injury, on the last day of January, I ran every Saturday morning (8-10 miles) with friends.

I loved it.  Loved how strong I felt.  Loved being able to run 10 miles at a nice pace, while talking with friends about their week.

I would discuss running at work, with friends, with anyone that would listen and even here on mevsMJ.com.

The pop in my calf muscle ended all of that.

I ran my first 2.5 miles last week in the past four months!

The Dilemma

MY GOAL:  Play Michael Jordan 1-on-1.

TRUTH:  Running long distances DOES NOT help me prepare for my goal.

I first realized this when I attended Impact Basketball training in November.  In a short period of time Matt Hiller had me gasping for air as I stood at the free throw line.  I had never been so short of breath in my life.  At the time I was running 18-20 miles per week and was able to run 5 miles at a 7:23 pace.

The realization hit home again later that month when I handed to ball to the #79^th ranked high school player in America, Robert Brown and played him 1-on-1.  Fourteen points in to game one, as I went to pick up the ball, I felt like I was going to pass out.  I was exhausted.  He wasn’t.

Finally, during the rehab of my injury it really hit home.  Speaking with numerous trainers and players, no trainer suggested running long distances and no player, and I’m talking even a former NBA All-Star, ran long distances as a way to prepare for basketball.

It made sense.

Basketball is about a series of explosive movements, not a steady speed for miles, even if that speed is considered fast.

Back to Hooping!

I’ve been back to hooping for just over two months and right now my game is feeling great!

Sure I got my butt kicked again by Robert Brown and then by NBDL draftee Garfield Blair when I first came back from injury, but since then I’m on a roll!

Over the past two weeks, of my last 12 games of one-on-one vs. “regular people” I’m 11-1.  I’m not just winning the games, I’m dominating!  My last four opponents I’ve outscored 60-12 combined (games are to 15 points).

I’m now less than two weeks from my match-up with Andy Gebru (played this past season professionally in Brazil) and besides a couple of nagging injuries (groin/ankle) I couldn’t be in a better place!

I’m ready to test myself again against the best and see the hard work I’ve been putting in turn into a better showing!

To Run…or Not To Run?

Due to understanding what is going to benefit me most in my preparation for Michael Jordan, I just haven’t been running.

Instead, I’ve been doing mostly everything on a basketball court and playing as much 1-on-1 as possible.  It seems to be working.

Still, last Wednesday evening I slipped on the Nikes, headed to the trail and ran.  I didn’t run very far, just 2.5 miles as I stated earlier, and it definitely wasn’t as easy as it was the last time I had run, though I did manage a 7:35 pace.

I didn’t run for conditioning.  I ran because I kind of missed it.

For me at this point right now, the answer to whether I should run or not comes down to what this journey is all about:  Doing something I’m passionate about!

While I can tell you I won’t be running 20 miles a week anytime soon, I may slip in a 5 mile run here and a 10 mile run there.

I’ll do it on days because I miss it, or for the comradery and most importantly because it brings me a little joy.

After all, a little joy is all we are ever really in search of isn’t it.

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!

Thank you for following along!

####

100 Facebook Fans/Likes!!! (Wahooooo!)

Special THANK YOU to my FIRST 100 mevsMJ.com Facebook Fans/Likes!! The 100 of you will always be the first!  Very special to me!  If you haven’t already LIKED the mevsMJ.com Facbook page, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? <—It’s a LINK!

Due to my change in approach to getting in shape to face off against Michael Jordan one-on-one, running has become a rather large part of my life.

I’m one long run from surpassing the 450 mile mark for the year!  Over 400 of those miles were done during a seven month span, as I took a break of about two months (ran just 35 miles) between races from April 13-June 13.

Throughout this year, I have tried numerous products to aid in my running journey.

Here are the 10 MUST HAVE products that I USE and LOVE and I think you will too!

1.  Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Watch

When I began my running this year, the first thing I bought was the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Watch.

Its ability to track my runs via gps and store all of the data (distance, pace, calories burned, heart rate, elevation, exact map location of run, etc) feeds into my techie side:-)

Here is an example of a recent 4 mile run.

The Garmin 305 has also won numerous awards from running publications.

While a lot of people must have music to run, I must have my Garmin!

($145.99)

2.  Shoes!

Mars Blackmon was right, “It’s Gotta Be The Shoes!”

Shoes will be the single MOST important purchase you make.

When I began running, I went to the outlet store and found the most inexpensive Nike shoes ($75) I could find of decent quality, bought them and then ran in them for months.

I was LUCKY!

I just happened to grab the exact shoe for my personal pronation type (read more here at Runner’s World).

Since that time I have gone to running stores and had it checked.  My second pair were just an updated version of the first pair I bought.

Take the time to find a local store in your area that specializes in running/triathlons.  They will typically check your stride, allow you to try on several pairs, test them, and figure out which is best for you.

The right shoes will help keep you injury free and running!

*No link here because it is imperative that you get a shoe that fits YOU!

(+$75)

3.  Running Shirts/Shorts

When my running journey began, I took pride in running in basketball shorts and regular cotton t-shirts (see picture of first half marathon).  It was my anti-running side holding on for dear life.

I’ve since crumbled and bought into running shirts and shorts and oh, so how glad am I, that I did.

The importance really comes with how the clothes wick away the moisture.  It just makes the running a bit more pleasurable when you’re out there for 1.5-2 hours grinding away in the sun.  Every little bit helps.

*Yes, those were Jordan shorts I was wearing in the picture.

(prices vary)

4.  Ice Packs

When I first began running, I bought some ice packs for my knees at the local Walgreens (drugstore).  I had been given that advice from the gentleman that got me into the running world.

While I don’t use them as much now on shorter runs, in the beginning I used them after every run to keep inflammation down.

As you know I went from nothing to a half marathon in 5 weeks.

The ice packs helped and they feel great after a long run:-)

(2 for $24)

5.  Clif Shot Energy Gel

My favorite gel packs are by Clif Bar.

I really like the taste and they are all natural and 90% organic, which is an added plus.  I usually take one about 15 minutes before a run or play basketball and sometimes I will take another on a 10 mile run, halfway in.

My favorite flavors are: Strawberry (25g caffeine), Raspberry, and Mocha (50g caffeine).

($1 each)

6.  Recoverite

I’ve been using Hammer’s Recoverite for a couple of months now after my longer runs and it rocks!

My body feels much better the next day and when you’re hammering out (sorry for the pun) run after run, that is crucial!

It does what it claims…helps you recover!

My favorite flavor is Strawberry.

($1.56 per serving)

7.  Halo 2 headband

The Halo 2 headband is something I just recently started using.  It’s amazing!  Due to a small strip found on the inner part of the band, it keeps the sweat out of your eyes.  It also never smells, no matter how much you sweat (that doesn’t mean you should’t wash it…hahaha).

After running with it for a month now, I’ve gotten very used to it.  I went out the other day and forgot to wear it and WOW, what a difference.

In my opinion, the Halo 2 is a must buy.

($12)

8. Giro Polarized SEMI Sunglasses

These sunglasses rock!  I wear them when I run and when I cycle.

They never slip, they are light, and of course they look great!

*not sure if Giro is still producing these, as I couldn’t find them on their website.  Good news is Amazon is selling them at less than 50% of what I paid.

($69.12)

9.  Camelbak Quick Grip 21 Oz Hydration Pack

I don’t really like running with a water bottle, due to it just being a burden to carry around.  On longer distances though, it really becomes a safety concern to be running for a long period of time if no hydration is available.

When I run distances of 7-8 miles or more, I use the Camelbak Quick Grip 21 Oz Hydration Pack.  Filled with ice and water, it keeps the water nice and cold the entire time.

($20)

10.  iPod

I know I list running without music sometimes as a key lesson learned.  This is for the rest of the time.

Music can without a doubt make the time out on the trail seem to pass by a bit quicker.  If you have’t done so by now, invest in an iPod (doesn’t everyone have one) or something similar.

When you’ve done that, take the time to create a playlist that will pace you along your journey.

(prices vary)

####

Those are my 10 MUST HAVE Running Products that I USE and LOVE!

I encourage you to give them a try!  If you have any certain products that you have tried and LOVE, please leave in the comments section below.

Good luck and happy running to you all!!!  See ya on the trail!

So I’ve been running for just over nine months now.  Last check, I am nearing the 450 mile mark which is HUGE for me!  As detailed in a previous post, How I went from sitting on my couch to running a Half Marathon in 5 weeks!, prior to 2010, I was not a “runner” or anything close to it.

That’s all changed now and for those just getting into the sport, or looking to take the sport of running a bit more seriously, I will detail some things I’ve learned and some products I love in two separate posts this week.

Up first, 8 lessons that will take YOU from the Couch to the Finish Line!

1.  Get a Running Partner!!!

When I began my running journey, having a running partner was THE most component of my success.

The reason…when my mind and body pleaded, “QUIT, RUNNING IS DUMB,” my running partner kept me going and helped me push through.

If you can choose, find a partner that is currently in better shape than yourself.

Think of it like anything else you want to get better at in your life.  If you are surrounded by people that are in a better situation than yourself (currently) then that person or people will raise your level of success.

Running works the same way.

2.  Get out and RUN!

The toughest part a lot of times is merely putting on the shoes.

So simple…yet at times so tough.

The more you do it, the better you will become and the more you will enjoy it!

For me, I have the vision of matching up with Michael Jordan one-on-one to fuel me when I don’t feel like running.

Use what you need to use, but get out and Run!

3.  Set running distance goals and stick to them!

There are a lot of publications out there that will give step by step running guides based upon the kind of run for which you are training.

Even if you aren’t training for a particular race, but want to get in better shape, set some goals.

Like all things, goals will hold you accountable and give you that push when you feel like skipping your workout.

Completing each run, one by one, will also give you a nice sense of accomplishment along the way.

4.  Find runners and ASK questions!

Just like any facet of life, find the experienced ones and expand your scope!  I have found the running/triathlon/cycling community so open and friendly.

Visit your local running/triathlon/cycling store and ask away.  Beyond knowledge gained, friendships grow and inspiration is exchanged.

5.  Enjoy the Process!

If you are just beginning your running journey, don’t be too hard on yourself.  It takes time to get your body in tune to run longer distances and to improve your times.

Celebrate each run and each accomplishment!

I have a friend who recently ran her first 10 miler two weeks ago, which is AMAZING!  10 miles is like the official indoctrination to being a runner!

Last week, she had scheduled herself to run another 10 miles, but stopped at a little over the 9 mile mark.  She was very disappointed that she hadn’t made it to her goal of 10 again.

When she told me about her 9 mile run, her voice was powdered in frustration.  I was so excited for her though!  The reason behind my excitement is that two and half months ago, she wasn’t running more than three miles at a time.  Now she is running 9 and 10 milers and is officially a runner!

Enjoy the process, remember where you came from and celebrate your success!

6.  Running is a Mental Journey

Running is a mental journey, as well as, a physical one.

For me it was actually more mental.

Knowing this going in always helped me prepare for the longer runs/races.

To combat the mental warfare, I came up with Stay Alive, Finish, and Never Walk.  Because I began from zero, this helped me keep perspective along the way.  If you are starting from the couch as I did, maybe it will work for you as well.

Soon enough, you’ll be a “runner” and won’t need such things.

7.  Run with the wind

Run with no music (sometimes).

In my MUST HAVE products, which I will detail on Thursday, I mention that you should buy an iPod (if you are one of the 2 people that don’t have one).  Every now and then though, I run without any music.

If I’m really pushing myself, running without music helps me keep better track of my breathing and more in tune with how my body is reacting to being pushed.

Recently, when I went over to my brother’s house and ran his 2 mile course, I purposely ran without music.  My iPod was in the car, but I wanted to listen to my body since I would be pushing it like I had never done so before.

When asked, what I’d be listening to…I told him, “The wind.”

A mental play?  Sure, but that’s what we do, we’re brothers.

More than the “brotherly love”, I really just wanted to be mentally and physically in the same space.

Try it out sometime.

8.  Invest

When I began my running journey, my head was harder than a 30 minute boiled egg.  I refused to buy any running gear, other than a watch and I really did that because I love technology.

Don’t make the same mistake I did.

On Thursday, I will tell you about 10 MUST HAVE products that I absolutely USE and LOVE!  These products will definatley help improve your running experience and make it more enjoyable.

See you then!

First off, thank you all for the love and support!!  The feedback has been inspiring to say the least.

My Current Workout Schedule

To bring you up to speed on how I’ve been preparing for my match-up with the great one, Michael Jordan, here is my current workout schedule:

Monday:  Run (4-6 miles)

Tuesday:  Basketball

Wednesday:  Off Day

Thursday:  Basketball

Friday:  Run (3-4 miles)

Saturday:  Run (7-10 miles)

Sunday:  Run/Bike/Rest (depends on scheduling)

I’m basically averaging 17-21 miles a week of running, with two days of hoops (weather permitting) mixed in.

Workout Results

I’ve been doing this for the last two and a half months and these are the results:

Weight: Lost 15 lbs. (Working on gaining back as much of that as possible)

Running Speed:  8 minute mile pace has become fairly easy on longer distances.

Speed Challenge:  6:33 minute average pace, when challenged by my younger brother on his short course (2 miles).

Jumping: Getting closer to grabbing the rim again:-)

A Different Approach

In the past, whenever I wanted to get back into basketball, I would immediately go to my strong suit which is shooting.

I would grab the ball, head to court and begin launching shots.  Tons of them.

I would do that until my shooting legs came back and the stroke felt good and then work my way into games.

What I finally realized, just recently actually, is that shooting will always be there for me.  I laid the foundation long ago and now it’s always just about fine tuning, not so much learning.  I could stop playing for years and still show up and shoot better than the majority.  That’s just the way it is.

I would always default to shooting because that was my comfort zone.  Everyone likes to do the things they are good at and shooting is what I do in the game of basketball the best.

With a different focus now, with the me vs. MJ focus now, I had to approach getting my game back in a totally different way and that would come in the way of conditioning.

Conditioning

My thought process on the workout schedule was to get my conditioning right first and then my game would much more easily fall into place.

I wanted to have the lung capacity and leg strength to drive to the basket at point 15, just like I did at point one.

I wanted to be able to grab the rim again…maybe even dunk

I wanted to be able to focus solely on basketball, not breathing, when I was playing or working on my game.

I wanted my conditioning to be the one part that needed no work.

It’s WORKING…it’s WORKING!!

As you can see above, under the workout results, the workout schedule is working.

I actually lost too much weight and am now working on gaining that back, which I have have 3-4 lbs so far.

After I finish playing basketball on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s I can still get the tips of my fingers over the rim.  Prior to the conditioning, I couldn’t even touch the rim anymore before, much less after a game.

I can say that I may just be in the best shape of my life right now and I can’t wait to see how I feel in another month.

HUGE New Goal

On top of getting my game back, I have set a new running goal.

I want to run a sub 6 minute mile before the end of 2010.

I may actually be able to do it now, as I haven’t tried, but nonetheless it’s now on the list of to do’s.

That is BEYOND huge for me.  As you know I was never a runner, and to set a goal like that at 33 makes me smile:-)

Up Next

I’m working on some really cool things that will take my hoops game to the next level, of which I won’t mention just yet.

I know, I know…what a tease.

I hope to unveil the next BIG step sometime in October and I am SO EXCITED to do so.

Thank you!

Thank you again for the support and love!  It really has made a big difference in my approach and helps to fuel me daily.

me vs. MJ, now at most 11 months away!!!!

At the start of year 2010, running was about as enjoyable to me as watching Olympic Curling for seven days straight.  I appreciated the sport, and thought it was great that people could run marathon distances, but my goal was never to be a professional exerciser.  Ever.

I’m a hoopster. A baller. A dude that plays basketball. A true athlete.

I grew up playing basketball from the age of 13 and hoops is what I’ve done more in my 33 years of life than anything else. I’ve grown to feel so comfortable on the court. It’s home.

So how did I, the basketball playing (which I’ve just recently started getting back into), biased “athlete” decide to run 13.1 miles at 6am, 227 miles from my house?

Pride

I’m prideful a guy.

By day I work in the wealth management side of the banking industry for a large institution in the southeast.  Part of what I do in my job is meet with high net worth clients on a daily basis.

So I went to lunch with a potential client one afternoon in December 2009 and the conversation turned to him running half marathons.  I asked some questions, because even though I could never have seen myself running more than a couple of miles, or even wanting to, the thought of running 13.1 intrigued me from an accomplishment standpoint.  I wanted to know the kind of dedication it took to accomplish such a feat.

As lunch ended and we left the restaurant the gentleman in passing said that I should run a half marathon with him sometime.  I said, sure, not believing anymore would come of it.

Later that day he emailed me about a race on February 21^st in Fort Lauderdale.  At this point I knew he was serious and thought ok, let me go home and run a bit and see what kind of shape I am in.

Exercise has never been something I’ve been known by.  To look at me, many would think I am a frequent visitor of the gym or playing some sport, but really it’s just my metabolism.  I really feel that when food enters my body, my metabolism rolls its eyes, lets out a small laugh and moves on.  At the time I was really doing NOTHING, besides coming home after work and watching TV.

So I got home and threw some basketball clothes on and went for a few laps in my neighborhood.  I made it about 2 miles, at a pace that can only be described as slightly faster than walking, and quit.  My lungs were burning, I was out of breath and my legs were tired.  Mentally I gave up because I was so far from the goal of ever doing 13.1 miles.  I went out one more time a couple of days later and pushed myself to 3 miles and quit again.  I was done.

Cold Front and Competition

Fortunately the area of Central Florida got hit with a massive cold spell in late December 2009 and the first part of January so I had an excuse a valid reason not to run.

After the holidays I met up with the gentleman, who was now a client, to discuss some business.  He asked me how the running was coming and I told him I hadn’t run at all because of the weather.  I thought for sure this subject was dead, but he looked at his calendar and said we have about five weeks, do you think you can dedicate yourself to get ready in that time?

I have always been so competitive.  Doing anything growing up I always tried to compete at it or at least mentally prepare as I was competing.  Competing is what made things fun for me.

So I told him yes, I could get ready.

I left his office thinking, this is crazy!  How am I going to do this?

Two days later he sent me a schedule that I was to begin following the following Monday.  There was no turning back at this point.

So I called my wife, who was out doing business calls near a retail store that carried the Garmin 305 GPS Watch, the same watch the client used for tracking his running, and had her pick it up for me.

Running was about to become part of my life.

This was the schedule:

Week 1:

1/18, 1/20, 1/22: 4 mile run

1/24: 6 mile run

Week 2:

1/26: 4 mile run

1/28: 5 mile run

1/31: 7 mile run

Week 3:

2/2: 4 mile run

2/4: 5 mile run

2/7: 8 mile run

Week 4:

2/9: 5 mile run

2/11: 5 mile run

2/13: 10 mile run

Week 5:

2/17: 4 mile run

2/18: 4 mile run

2/21: RACE DAY 13.1 Miles

Luckily for me, my wife lives at the gym.  She works out about six days a week and has been wanting me to exercise for years now:-)  So I showed her the schedule, she lit up like a morning ray of light and we began.

Stay Alive, Finish, and Never Walk

I had three goals when I began the half marathon journey in the afternoon on the 18^th of January.  The first, stay alive. The second, finish. Lastly, my goal was to never walk.  Three simple goals that I hoped were attainable.

When I would tell others of my three goals of Stay Alive, Finish, and Never Walk, I would get a chuckle coupled with some “you can do it” and a little “is he crazy?”

Setting the “realistic” three goals took a lot of weight off my shoulders and let me enjoy the process.  As a guy, my first instinct is to worry about my time.  To be competitive.  In fact almost every guy I told about the upcoming race would ask how long did I think it would take me.

So with goals in mind, my wife and I set out and began knocking off one run after the other.  Every week I ran a NEW personal longest distance of my life.

The most difficult runs came with week one’s 6 miler and week three’s 8 miler.  On both runs I hit a mental block and thought about giving up.  Had my wife not been there circling back for me (yes, she was faster…hahah) I probably would have called it a day.  I didn’t though and finished and moved another step closer to the goal.

Mental Toughness (killing doubt)

To me the mental side of running far exceeds the physical.  The thought of making your body do something rigorous for an hour, hour and a half, or even two hours straight is daunting.  Especially for a guy who loved to chill on the nice leather couch at the house.  Doubt would at times try to hitch a ride and have a conversation.

Once I was able to get past the mental block of being able to run those distances for those long periods of time, I was golden.  I could somewhat enjoy the run.

After a couple of weeks, 4 and 5 mile runs were greeted with enthusiasm because they were “short” runs.  My legs would smile at me and tell the rest of myself “you got this!”

In the end I only missed one run and that was the last 4 miler.  What I figured out was that when I would run it wasn’t so much my lung capacity that was strained as it was my legs.  They, my legs, truly lacked the conditioning that was needed to put them through such a task.  I of course was able to do it, but they weren’t ready to recover at the rate I felt was needed prior to the race.  So I rested them.

Race Day

Race day came at 3:45 am on Sunday, the 21^st. I downed a protein bar and some coconut water and we headed to the start line.  The race would officially begin at 6am, but were encouraged to be there by 5am.

When the gun sounded and the 2,856 competitors began moving forward the sun was still resting so it was nice and cool.  I envisioned myself over and over again running through the finish line and began the race.  Again, this was going to be a NEW personal longest run of my life!  I would be running 3.1 miles further than I had ever run before.

During my five weeks of training, whenever I approached the long runs on Sunday’s I would run at a slower pace.  The goal was to just finish and give my mind the sense of accomplishment.  I kind of approached the half marathon the same way that day.

As we made it over the bridge on Los Olas Blvd, about a mile in to the run, the Sun was peeking its head up almost as to check in on us.  It was gorgeous.

We turned the corner and began running alongside the ocean on A1A, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  The location couldn’t have been better for my first half marathon.  I could see the large ships off in the distance as I worked through something I had never done.  My eyes were happy.

The rest of me was happy too as I kind of did a self check around mile 4.  I told myself, do that two more times and you’ve got this thing licked.

At mile 8, I did another check and told myself, ok, just run 5 more miles and you’ve done it!

In the back of my head I was a little worried about what would happen after mile 10.  I had never run longer than 10 miles, which I just done the week before and when I completed that there was no part of me that felt I had more left to give.  On top of that a coworker had told me that he always hit a wall around mile 12 and no matter how much he trained he could never get past that.  He would just run out of gas.

I was determined to be stronger than him and used his story of defeat as my motivation.  I would let no run beat me.

Mile 10 came and I knew I was down the home stretch.  A simple 3 miler was all that remained between me and my first half marathon.  We pushed forward.

As we came down to the final mile, the sponsor had each quarter of mile marked with huge banners on the side of the road.  I knew I was moments away from my accomplishment.

As the finish line approached I grabbed the hand of my wife and we crossed the finish line together.  With a time of 2:07:02 (watch time) we had done it!!!

In just 5 weeks I had gone from my couch to finishing a 13.1 mile half marathon!

One month later I ran my second half marathon in Saint Petersburg and improved my time by almost 10 minutes!

I’m a Runner!

Life is amazing, if you allow it to be.  One seemingly normal meeting opened the door to the sport of running and I actually ran through it.  By being open to something, by putting aside my predetermined feelings, I have been able to enjoy something in 2010 that I NEVER would have thought was possible for myself.

To go from hating the sport to running over 400 miles (last count) this year is amazing to me!  I use the motivation of getting in the best shape of my life for my matchup with MJ to keep me going.

I encourage you to be OPEN to new things.  Whether that be running, trying new foods, or just seeing a situtation through the eyes of another idividual…DO IT!

You never know the journey that is awaiting you, unless you take that first step.

Your Turn!

If you’ve done something this year that you never would have dreamed of doing at the start of 2010, I’d love to hear about it.  Please leave a comment below and tell me about your experience.

Note:  Most running publications would recommend a minimum 12 week training program for a half marathon distance run.  I did it in five weeks, but wouldn’t necessarily recommend that for you.  Consult your physician as needed.

####

Connect:  Twitter (@KennyEller) and mevsMJ.com Facebook Fan Page.

####

If you’re new to the site, I set out in August 2010 to get a game of 1-on-1 vs. my childhood hero Michael Jordan.  This site is about that journey…through every valley, to every mountain top of triumph!