Two more months!

Sitting exactly two months in front of the first half marathon of the year – Fargo Half Marathon on May 21^st – brings forth eight strong weeks of training for the event.  Mixed into this will be a couple other 5K/10K events to get into race mode. 
I don’t know why sickness keeps tagging along with me, but it’s finally getting beat with the help of extra time to sleep and less time traveling for work.  That will make the biggest difference in these next two months. 
This is also the time many start to seriously think about if they’re going to run in the spring and which race they’ll be doing.  With the way so many of these races are getting more popular, you might want to hurry up and make your commitment now.  Fargo has a cap for each race, as do several other races around the area such as the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, which your chances of getting into the half marathon there don’t exist anymore.  The lottery has been drawn and the numbers chosen as to who will be participating in that one. 
The thing I tell people when it comes to deciding whether or not they’re going to take the plunge and actually go for it…if you have had any thought of trying an event, even if it’s one that might seem “too far” for you, do it.  Circumstances may come up in the future that won’t allow you to take part when you really know you wanted to try it.  So go for it.  There will be thousands of people there cheering you on, thousands of other runners encouraging you to go farther and lots of great entertainment, food and fun to be had by all throughout the weekend! 
Eight weeks is plenty of time to prepare yourself for a half marathon.  If it’s your first full and you’re thinking Fargo … that could be a different story.  But it definitely is possible.  Anything is that you set your mind to and do.  Get on track, stay on track and keep your focus on what you’re intending to accomplish.  Challenge a friend, form a team of runners to go as a group…just do whatever it takes to get you out there and experience what is the Fargo Marathon event. 

I’m starting to see more and more people out running.  You see it in the fitness center and now with the weather finally starting to warm up and melt some of the snow away, the outdoors running style is starting to become more popular here in northwestern Minnesota!   My outdoors running will start up soon, I think.  The only place I train usually outdoors is at the high school track in Mahnomen.  Not only do you get the fresh air, the wind in your face and the pounding of a hard surface for your feet to be more physically prepared; you also drive yourself absolutely crazy running around an oval shaped track for an hour or more.  A half marathon is just over 52 laps around a track.  Run one lap and think to yourself, wow, only 51 more and I’ve done a half marathon.  I did it once for training last summer, in the rain.  Not for fun, not even part of my training route or program…just to see how fast I could do it in.   I ran it the fastest I’ve ever gone 13.1 miles before (without a flag).  One hour and fifty-eight minutes.   I actually didn’t  mind the rain, it was to the point you wanted to get it done quicker so you could go inside and dry up and you really don’t think much about how painful it’s going to be from forcing a longer stride and faster pace.  I didn’t care, I was going for it.  Worked out pretty darn good!
Whether you exercise inside or outside, the two keys words are: you exercise!   When you’re done, you feel great.  You’re more energized because the blood is flowing through your entire body, especially the brain, making it easier to think clearer and become more positive for the rest of the day.  I hate mornings until I actually get going, such as starting out with a work out.  Kick starts your day the right way. 
We’ll see you at the finish line May 21^st in Fargo, ND!!

The madness is spreading

Not everyone can say that they’ve run in a marathon event.  Some will tell you the same thing I used to claim, that I would never run in a half or full marathon as long as I live.  Things change and so do people.  Your mindset will change as you get older…or should I say, wiser! 
With the definition of wise you could probably add the term crazy.  It seems to go hand in hand with anything you do.  Wise ideas can turn into something big or it can stay something small which in both cases are fine.  When I started running in memory of my friend Corey, I never imagined it to be much of anything for other people.  I wanted to do it to honor him in a way that took some sacrifice, preparation and hard work to achieve what I wanted.  I could have done many other things other than running but when it came down to it, running seems to be the one thing you can do physically by yourself, without having to have others there with you at all times.  Yes, it’s nice to join forces with other people and have someone there to push you to the next level but in essence, it’s not mandatory. 
The people who keep me going and doing what I do aren’t around me physically, but I know they’re looking down on me every time I train and at every event.  Thousands of soldiers who have lost their lives, many of which don’t get any recognition for their duty of serving and protecting the country they love.  A country where crack head, drug addict will get hours of media attention yet hasn’t done anything for his country that’s good.  Yes, he may have made some people laugh and entertained millions, but what would happen if you suited him up into a military uniform (and I’m not talking about some movie or TV role where he’s “acting” as a soldier) and sent him over seas.  Which media outlet that has nothing better to do than follow this idiot around like a lost puppy looking for attention would follow him over seas and keep up to date with his daily activity?  I’m sure most of them would jump right on that!...Or not. 

All I want to do is get these men and women who actually serve and do something for their country the recognition they deserve, which is a lot more!  I’m finding out through other runners and organizations that it is really is happening, you just don’t hear about it in the news.   
I received a letter from another runner earlier this year stating that she was one of my dad’s students from back in the day.  Here is the letter I got:
"Hi Kurt,
Not sure if you recognize my name or not, but your dad was my math teacher in Gonvick, 25 years ago or so. We exchange Christmas cards every year and this year the letter talked about how you have run and still run with a flag. I also had googled "running with a flag" and an interview you had done with a man who had run a half marathon (I think it was) was one of the first links. I thought what a small world that my old math teacher's son would appear after googling about the flag.
Anyway, before hearing about anyone running with a flag, I had gotten the feeling that I needed to do this while on a run last summer when I ran up a hill and saw a flag waving in the distance on a beautiful summer day. I'd like to run in honor of those who have fought and those who are currently fighting for our freedom and for our great country. I'm signed up to run Grandma's marathon in June and will start training here in a few weeks. Any advice on how to prepare for such an undertaking would be much appreciated!
Thanks :) – Jean B.”
And people say I’m crazy!  I’m not the only one that thinks that way as you can see!  I received that message in mid-January.  Never did I think that someone else would want to do this, but I have seen others at some runs carrying the Old Glory.  The year I did the full marathon in Fargo (2008) I ran into a guy who had carried an American flag the same size as mine, but did the 5K.  Bigger guy, about 6’3” maybe 225.  Army guy in fact.  He asked me if I really ran the entire distance with the flag, the full 26.2 miles.  I mentioned that I ran, walked, hobbled and nearly crawled for part of it my legs hurt so bad.  My entire body hurt extremely bad after that run for a few days.  The following day it felt like someone had taken a hammer to my entire body and pounded on me for a few hours.  With better preparation and better knowledge of how to make it through a race I’ve been able to figure out ways that work good to run while limiting the pumping of one arm to carry the colors that represent the country my friend and thousands of others lost their life for.  Now I'll be teaming up in 2011 with Jean during the Grandma's Marathon event in June to show respect and honor to our fallen in two events: the half AND the full marathon!  I'm definitely looking forward to this as well!
In the past, it wasn’t a big thing for me when it comes to time.  I sent a text message to the girl who inspired me to run, who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.  My sister Nikki has been a huge part of my success in getting going and becoming a “runner”.  I still don’t look at myself as a runner, knowing there’s so many that are more professional when it comes to the marathon routes.  But this year, I have set a goal.  I want to break two hours for a half marathon.  I’ve got four chance to do it.  Every year I schedule four (4) half marathons (13.1 miles) to honor Corey.  His number in hockey was 4…my number in basketball was 13.    It just makes sense.  I will do this while carrying a 3’x5’ American flag.  I know what it takes, now I just have to do it. 
What ever your goal is, tell someone.  Explain to them that you will do it.  Don’t just say it, work towards that goal and accomplish it.  Don’t be satisfied with, “Well, I tried.”  Get it done!  Just like my sister always told me when it comes to running and trying for something more: “I know you can do it, all you have to do is try!”  I tried and did it…which turned that saying into: “I knew you could do it!  And now you know it, too!”

It's more than just running

It seems like it's always non stop with everything that's going on. From work, to
training to play and relax time. March Madness is officially here, maybe that's why
it feels so hectic right now. But it's really not.
This past weekend I was invited to the Detroit Lakes sector Patriot Guard
meet & greet held at the Legion club there. Much like last year, it was another
nice turnout with members from all over the state, including a PG board member
from Minneapolis. My friend Karla who is a ride captain for this area's PGR
(Patriot Guard Riders) invited me down to the event and a couple days prior to
the meet and greet asked if I would speak about my running. I gladly accepted
of course. Any promotion of my friend Corey and all of the fallen will be accepted
as long as it works with my schedule.
I'm not sure how long the actual talk was, it always seems like I'm up there for a lot
longer than it really is. I'd think it was maybe ten minutes. I brought my uniform I
wore the previous year for running so I could show those in attendance what
thousands of spectators and other runners see at all of the events we're part of.
Looking out in the crowd of people, some eating, others finished and just listening,
I could see that all were very attentive as to what I was saying.
When it comes to speaking to a group, I feel more comfortable talking to 100 or
more, honestly. That way, you can pick out the ones who are truly engaged into
the talk and really want to hear what you're saying. I've done one talk where
there was maybe ten people and you see one guy yawning, another not ever
looking at you. You start to wonder why you're even there. But I knew these
individuals would be into it. They honor and respect our fallen, the troops currently
serving and of course the families of those who have.
Following the talk, I had the chance to meet and greet some of these members.
Some I already knew and others I met for the first time. Anywhere from Detroit
Lakes to Brainerd, Hibbing and Minneapolis. One had shaken my hand and
told me "You almost made me cry man, and that takes a lot for this guy..."
You know you've made an impact just by hearing one person say that.
As for training, it's still going great. Learning some new things on the way too with
the help of a couple of trainers. Any advice is good advice, especially when you're
learning and using it to your advantage.
In the next blog, I will be mentioning a letter I recently received from another runner
in regards to teaming up to honor our fallen soldiers. It will fit in great with this month,
as we sprint into March Madness!! People think I'm crazy, so we might as well
spread this craziness/madness on to other people, right?? This will be at a future
run, after the Fargo Marathon, that I was recently selected to be part of.
Adding to that, prior to the Fargo Marathon events in mid-May, we'll be coming to
the west side of the city...to West Fargo to take part in a 5K event on April 30th
put on by the WFHS Student Council where funds will go to benefit Hope, Inc. &
the Zach Gabbard family of Perham, MN. Zach was the basketball player that
collapsed during a basketball game held in Glyndon, MN at D-G-F high school.
He's currently on a long road to recovery at the hospital at the UofM in Minneapolis.
Right after that, we'll be heading right to Eagan, MN for a Tribute to the Troops 5K
event to honor our fallen soldiers on Sunday May 1st.
It's going to be a fun 2011 and we hope you're able to be part of it in some way!

For full details on our run schedule, log on to www.philcosfreedomteam.net

1/12th...Good enough!

I just asked someone the other day -- "How's the New Year's resolution treating you, we're almost at the end of February...?"
He looked at me and said: "I thought that was only a January thing..."
Of course! What was I thinking?? To ask a question like that. The new YEAR is only looked at in a short time frame, not twelve months. I need to open my eyes a little bit and get with the times!
But, seriously? Have you noticed that with yourself? You shoot for something that you're excited about momentarily, to eventually be shot down with in a three to four week period because it gets boring. What I notice with training is the longer you stick with it, the more fun it gets! Any runner will tell you the same thing...well, most will anyway. You find new challenges along the way to keep it interesting. Yes, it will get pretty boring if all you do is run the same amount each day, at the same pace, in the same location. Switch it up a little bit. Find new ways to exercise. That's why cross training is so important. I look back on the days of high school sports when you had practice. For us, in basketall, the first 20-30 minutes was always the same. Warm up, stretch, then straight fundamentals. After that, it was always different techniques, different drills and games to keep it fun but at the same time, working hard to accomplish your team goal. It helps focus when you go into a practice knowing you'll be doing something different than the day before. If you know exactly how far you're going, the right direction and amount of time it's going to take you, that just won't cut it. I've gotten a lot of great pointers from other runners and athletes of work outs you can do. I never thought I'd put on boxing gloves, no reason for me to do so. But now that is one of my main forms of cross training. I love it! Kettle bell workouts for ten minutes at a time, awesome! There are so many other things you can do with hardly any equipment you wouldn't believe by just reading this. You need to experience it yourself.
Oh and don't just come up with a "resolution" that lasts a month then tapers off to absolutely nothing because you have better things to do. Write out your goal, the steps you need to take to get it done and when you want to accomplish it. I did that this year.
Starting out with training on January 10th - my weight was at 181. I'm 5'8" -- not too bad, but not good either. I wasn't happy with that so I decided it's time to change. I knew it would take hard work and it hasn't happened over night. In just over six weeks, I'm down to 167 (14 lb. drop). My goal step by step was to lose two pounds a week until I get to 160, my "race weight". Reasonable and attainable. Six times two = twelve. Looks like I'm ahead of schedule. Even if I was two pounds behind schedule, at least it's happening. You'll have some minor set backs and maybe even a major set back. Don't let that bring you down. Take it for what it's worth, get back into it slowly and get the training back on track.
Choices are made every day. When you get up in the morning, you make the decision as to whether or not you're going to have a good or bad day. What you hear and see can determine your attitude...but that's all by choice. You can choose to respond to something you see or hear right away in the morning in a negative way, ruining your outlook on the entire day or you can forget about it, tell yourself things will be just fine and start the day off right. It's the same with training and your exercise routine. Tell yourself it's going to hurt...you're absolutely right it will. Tell yourself this is going to make me feel good and I will get in better shape by starting today...you're absolutely right you will. The toughest part of my training, every single time, no matter when it is during the day: getting up and going. Once you get moving, you don't want to stop. I hope you feel that same way with your training.
Good luck and make it a great day, everyday!

On the move

In order to achieve goals, you need to move forward one step at a time.  It’s a long process sometimes, and if it’s something great, it’s a definite thing. 
I recently got a phone call from my friend Bruce Billington, the director of the project I have aligned my team with – Project New Hope.  This is an organization dedicated to serving our war vets and their families, hosting retreats to serve them in ways they need when they return from war time experiences. 
When I got the rundown of how this organization works, what they do and how motivated they are, I knew right away it was the non-profit I was going to support and promote when I’m out running. 
Bruce mentioned to me on the phone Friday evening on my way to a game that they’re on the move.  Project New Hope is making their baby steps into bigger steps, but still as you know, just one step at a time.  Their goal is to get in all 50 states and provinces in Canada.  They’ve accomplished that in some already and are on the move with talks to another twenty states now. 
When I asked Bruce how things were going and what he’s been up to, he said it’s been a busy time, but good time.  Explaining this move forward I know he’s excited and I’m excited for him and the entire organization.  I know his status on the project he is passionate about and he will never let it slide when it comes to helping out war vets and their families.  Bruce is one himself, so he knows the importance of this organization he’s created. 
The letter he had sent out a little while back prior to giving me a call stated this:

Friends of Project New Hope,

Attached to this email is a picture representing the current impact of Project New Hope(PNH) across the United States.  The PNH dog tags represent States that are currently holding PNH retreats, and the red stars represent States that we are in talks with about bringing PNH to them.  Twenty States currently have reached out to us wanting PNH.  If we succeed bringing in these 20 States, we will be half way to our goal of being in ALL 50 States.
(See map posted below)

Reading a note like that gets you fired up.  Well, it gets me fired up I know that.  Maybe to some people it’s not a huge deal.   But to thousands who have served the country and want an organization like this that they can go to when they return, it means the world. 
Running itself would be just that, running.  When you tag along side a non-profit that wants to make this nation a better place, it makes it even more worthwhile.  Running to remember fallen soldiers – and at the same time promoting a project like this gives me all the energy I need.  Adding to that, the opportunity to be part of Project New Hope’s success, turns it in to an honor for me personally.  Bruce had asked me on the phone to be involved with their moving forward, which I look at as a huge honor.  I had no clue who this group was two years ago.  Just five months ago, I was sitting at a meeting with the entire Project New Hope executive board in Brainerd, MN for an all day learning session about who they are, what they do, and where they’re going.  I can tell you this much…they’re going!  Taking the steps necessary to make a move like this possible, with a dedicated group that wants to get it done.  That’s who I want to be aligned with.  People motivated to move forward; inspiring other states to do the same; preparing themselves for what lies ahead and staying determined every step of the way with poise and focus.  THAT is who I want to be aligned with!  I’ve got those four words on my back during every run…my four “keys” to get it done. 
Motivation      Inspiration      Preparation      Determination
They have it figured out.  Now they’re going out and acting on it.  Even if they don’t have every single thing figured out right now, learning is an important thing during the journey too.  Just like John Wooden says:
“It’s what I learned after I knew it all that matters most.” 
Thank you Project New Hope members for doing what you do!  Keep up the great work and keep providing more great news for others to feed off of and get motivated with like I have!

http://www.philcosfreedomteam.net/

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

It's not every day that I sit down and find an article or two that will pertain to health and well being. Many people think that every single thing I eat is healthy. You obviously haven't spent a day with me. Spend a week with me and you'll be very surprised!
With travels, flexible scheduling with my work and some late nights accompanied by long days that don't involved "hard work", but are just time consuming, you don't have a lot of time to figure out a way to get the healthiest meals everyone would like to get. Another thing with the healthy foods - they just don't taste as good as the meals you could eat non stop when you're hungry. Cravings usually never occur for some spinach or broccoli. Although, I'm becoming a lot more fond of the broccoli, especially in soup! Two of my favorites: Cream of Broccoli & Cream of Wild Rice. Delicious!! Makes me hungry just thinking about them.
As I sit here, right next to me protein bars (cinnamon bun flavor I might add) that are not only good for you, but they taste good too! Not quite as sweet as the normal cinnabuns you'd indulge in from a convenience store or restaurant, but none the less, they taste almost the same. Barely any sugar and 21 grams in one bar alone can be a healthy snack without anything else added to it. In fact, I have one of these, or one of a similar type bar for breakfast along with maybe something else, depending on how I'm feeling. Mix that in with the multi-vitamin so I don't throw up from not having any food in the system for the vitamins to work their magic, it makes for a great start to the day. These along with protein shakes, the ones I get are either chocolate, vanilla or strawberry flavor, all taste as they're described. I like to have half a protein shake before a workout, the other half after when I get home. I never realized how good they actually work. I didn't find out that they work good for workouts, I just wanted to try it. Recently, I read part of an article this about breakfast:

"Eat a snack containing carbohydrates and protein 30 minutes or so before your workout and one of your protein-rich meals immediately after. Your body breaks down muscle during and after exercise to use as fuel, and it rebuilds muscle using calories that you've consumed. The longer you wait after exercise to eat, the more your body will break down its own muscle and the less it will build new muscle.

Eating before a workout speeds muscle growth, according to Dutch and British researchers. In one study, subjects who ate a protein- and carbohydrate-rich snack right before and right after their workouts fueled their muscles twice as effectively as those who waited at least 5 hours to eat. By feeding your body with protein and carbohydrates within an hour or two of exercise, you provide your muscles with enough energy to build strength and burn fat more effectively.

Research also shows that eating before and after a workout inhibits the storage of fat, inhibit muscle breakdown, reduce inflammation, and recover more quickly."

I found it off of an article posted on Twitter from Women's Health Magazine. It's not just good advice for women, but men as well. I check both the Men's & Women's Health Magazine posts and headlines to see what can be sent off to people just like you reading this to help in some way shape or form in your health goals. It's amazing what you can find out when you take some time to read.
Now of course these are studies done through research by scientists and professionals (for the most part) but some of it may not work the exact way they specify. I just like to read a bunch of different articles that have similar posts to see how close they are related. Usually you'll find that they are pretty accurate. Our bodies are all made different and they can respond in a completely opposite way than someone the same age and sex as you.
I had some people write to me recently after I sent a post on twitter.com/freedom_team about how I have lost 12 pounds now and am shooting to drop another nine before the first marathon event, which happens to be the Fargo Marathon 2011. I started out 2011 at 181 pounds. The biggest I've ever been actually. When I graduated high school I was around 130 "soaking wet". That was ten years ago. I'm just glad I actually gained weight, both muscle mass and some fat. I filled out finally. Took a few years even out of high school for it to happen, but it did.
The year I ran the full marathon in 2008, I started out training at 178. By race day, I was down to 157. That's 21 pounds in about a three month span. I realized that the weight isn't going to shed until after the first few weeks, then it's like a snow ball effect, only different. The snow falls off instead of packing on as it rolls down the hill. That was the best shape I'd been in for a long time, until now. I'm feeling in better shape than I was at that time, and that's just in the first four weeks of training. There's plenty of it left, which is awesome. I'm looking forward to the rest of the journey in 2011.
Going back to the messages sent - one of my friends had asked me how I lost so much weight in such a short period of time. I honestly didn't know, and still don't know right now how to answer that question. The only way I could was that I've been in training now, more disciplined workouts, harder workouts, intervals, long runs, cut back on pop/soda big time, cut back on most sweets (gotta have my Snickers and Twix still!), and added more protein to my meals. I guess that is quite a few things....so maybe I did know how to answer it. I didn't realize I told her that much until I look at it in writing. But to anyone not training for a half or full marathon, or any type of run for that matter - the discipline has to be in your exercise and nutrition. Less portions but more meals/healthy snacks throughout the day to keep your energy level up, some sort of physical activity for at least twenty minutes a day at least five days a week and I feel that reading is another form of "diet" that will help you stay motivated for one, in turn accoplishing your goals. If you don't know what to read, remember John & John (Maxwell & Wooden), that will cure any negativity you encounter throughout the day!
Have fun & good luck in your training!

Let's talk about John & John

We’ve officially set sail in this journey called running.  One month plus two days now are already complete in the new year and the workouts have been as good if not better than I could imagine.
Only been going at it for about three weeks hard and I can feel the difference big time.  My energy level is where I need it to be, the endurance for several different work outs including interval training, pace and tempo runs along with a long run during the weekend, mixed in with kettle bell training, boxing (four two minute rounds with a retired pro boxer = INTENSE), some basketball, stationary bike, core work outs, upper body with some free weights, elliptical, step ups and “one arm” running, it’s been a busy time to kick off the official training sessions.  You might be wondering what the whole one arm running thing is…here’s the deal:  I run with a 3’x5’ American flag at all races.  A thing of honor and respect to our military serving, the war vets who’ve been there/done that, and of course, for my good friend who lost his life in battle and the thousands of others who have done the same.  I never train with the flag.  But the one thing I do to try and resemble what it’s going to feel like is hold the mp3 player/cell phone in my left hand, periodically I will raise it close to my shoulder and grab on to my shirt, making it immobile while I run.  I pump with the right arm, keep the left arm still.  Try it sometime; see how out of rhythm it is for you.  Once you get used to it, it’s not so bad.  I even had one lady tell me “Hey kid, pump with both arms, it works better than way.”  I told her just wait until you see my next trick…I only use my right leg and hop on this treadmill at the 20 minute mark.  She looked at me funny, shook her head and then five minutes later was gone.  I guess she didn’t want to see something like that happen, even though it was a joke. 
Since the start of my actual training in January, I’ve dropped nine pounds (as of tonight, 2/2/2011).  I haven’t really changed my diet much, if at all.  With a lot of traveling for my job and late nights with not much chance to get an actual meal, pizza becomes a nightly occurrence for me, which is fine because I love it.  That’s when the supplements (multi-vitamins) take their effect. 
Along with exercise for the physical portion of my training, I can’t go without the mental training.  This is more important to me than running.  Of course if you want to be able to feel good, and for some (not me) look good during a race, you’re going to train right and hopefully eat right at the same time.  I’d rather have the right attitude going into each workout session, each marathon race; just every day in general about my life than thinking too hard about what’s going to happen with my body in the next hour to two hours.  Someone had asked me in the gym one day, “What do you mean by mentally train?”  I told him get your attitude straight.  Don’t complain about little things.  Don’t make up excuses for yourself even when you’re in the gym working out.  What you do is what you do, what I do is what I do.  Everyone’s on a different level.   I commend people that just step foot in that fitness center I go to do my work outs!  That’s the first step to get you going.  If you’ve got a positive attitude that you want to start, you will.  I’ve noticed something really interesting with the two aspects of training for me: physical & mental.  In physical, the thing people hate is the actual work you have to do.  In mental, the one thing that works best is another thing people aren’t very fond of: reading.  I can tell you two authors that would keep you occupied for the entire year reading their books and you would become so mentally equipped with the right tools to get out of the house and get moving, you might decide to go to a specialist because others will think you’re going crazy.  Trust me, I know this from experience…
If you’ve got a positive attitude in certain situations, people will look at you like you’re from another country and spoke in a way that they just don’t understand.  Why is that??  Watch the news sometime, you’ll see.  Really pay attention to what’s being broadcast.  Eighty percent of it is bad or sad news.  Tally it up if you want.  From one story to the next, make a column with two sides; tally one on the left for a story that is bad news, on the right a story that is good news.  It’s just the way it is.  It’s what gets people to watch.  Who would want to read a boring book anyway?  I’d never consider John Maxwell or the late great John Wooden boring, but some may.  I’ve learn a lot from those two men through reading their books.  Two L’s: Leadership & Life.  Put things into perspective.  John Wooden was a coach for UCLA Men’s Basketball for many years.  He was ten national championships.  Of those ten, SEVEN in a row.  SEVEN IN A ROW.  Ask a coach, any coach, how easy it is to win seven championships in a row.  They won’t be able to tell you, because they haven’t won that many in row, many probably not even total.  My dad is a head coach for high school boys basketball – he took a team from Clearbrook/Gonvick to state back to back years in the early 90’s.  They won the Region championship two years in a row which was a huge deal, especially for a smaller school.  They didn’t win state though.  But they still accomplished a lot as a team!
The books I read by John Maxwell & John Wooden are excellent for not only running, but anyone that wants a good read to learn how to become a better person over all. 
Just remember when you start your training, don’t just discipline yourself to get to the gym to work out.  Discipline yourself to sit down or lay down for 20-30 minutes a day/evening to read one of your favorite books about becoming a better you.  Read something that motivates you.  Read something that will keep you hooked and want you coming back for more the next time you pick it up.  If you want some good titles, let me know, I know some really good ones that you’ll like a lot. 
Keep your mind on the goal.  Take it one step at a time.  Don’t ever try to leap too far forward at once.  Bounding takes a lot more out of you than walking smaller steps. 
The other thing I’ve felt has increased for me since the start of the year is my focus.  I’m focused on what I need to do to get this training started, keeping it going then rocking and rolling my way through each and every event!   You can do the same; it will just take some time to get going in the right direction.  You might as well start now.