For years now my primary fitness goal has been qualifying for the Boston marathon.  Though I am slower than I was at this time last year, I think I am finally on my way to reaching that goal.  My injuries this winter humbled me and made me realize that I need to train hard, but smart.  I need to be hard, but also patient, consistent, and humble.  I need to build up, over years if necessary, and I need to take it one run at a time.

In the past I’ve given lip service this “the trial of miles” Once a Runner ethos, but I think I have finally internalized it.  If I want this, and I really, really want this, I’m going to have to come to grips with the fact that getting good is as much about being patient as it is about fighting through a tough work out.

This very well may be a rebuilding year.  I might not run a marathon and if I do, it certainly won’t secure me a BQ.  But someday I’ll get it, that I know.

But there is more to my jock interests than the Boston Marathon – there are body weight exercises, bouldering, gymnastics, and more. In the coming months I’ll be writing about running here for sure, but I’ll be writing about other aspects of my physical life as well.

Though the blog will continue to be comprised of thoughts on getting good, not everything I’ll be trying to get good at will be measured in distance.