marathon decision

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone:

As you all know, and I ran the the San Francisco National AIDS

Half Marathon last August. We ran 13.1 miles!!! (, we rock!)

Well, I've kept up the running three times a week because I love it

so much, and it makes me feel so good. I still can't believe I'm

saying that! I ran 3.75 miles this morning, and it was, as usual,

fantastic. There was a warm breeze (yes, it was a warm storm), and

as the sun came up over the Bay Bridge and the East Bay hills, it was

heavenly, shining yellow-orange through the purple-black rain

clouds. The Christmas lights were reflecting off the shiny pavement,

so there was a golden glow every where. It was serene, and I felt

the presence of God everywhere--the seabirds flying overhead, the

sound of the waves in the Bay, the yellow and orange leaves blowing

past my feet--and I felt fully alive. (I also looked pretty cute in

my muscle shirt with tattoos blazing--dang, I felt athletic and

butch. LOL)

So... I've decided that I will train to complete the Full Marathon

next year--26.2 miles!!

I know that this is mostly a mental goal, and I really, really have

to tell myself I can do it.

So I wanted you all to be the first ones to know that I'm going for

it!

The training program will begin in February 2006. Wish me luck!!

Francisco