Whats the plan Stan?

Before the end of this month it will officially be 5 months since I made the decision to start running. I can still remember back in September 2009, I started at the weight of 165 pounds... Ooof! Such a big big boy haha Here is a small preview of the before and after..

I recently finished my second 10k race and I've began to contemplate on what is next for me. My goal since I started running was only to finish the 5k race without walking. 

After that things kinda just happen. I started running more, increasing mileage and next thing I know, a month later I did my first 10k race. So as of right now I want to plot it somehow and have a short term , a long term and a "dream goal". 

Lately, I've been toying around the idea of doing the marathon next year. I'm particularly eying the Condura Marathon 2011. I know I have a lot of mileage to do for this but I think God willingly that I can make it by that time. My only goal for the marathon, heck my only goal for any race is that I will be able to run it all throughout. I never liked the idea of walking in a race, its just not right for me.

I have decided that I will use races to help motivate me to get the mileage. They will be my check points through out the year. Thanks to the list at takbo.ph I have chosen specific races to get me ready for the 42k next year. Here is my list:

• Globe Run for Home - 15k - March 21, 2010
• Mizuno Infinity Run - 15k  - April 11, 2010
• Run Rio Trilogy Leg 2 - 21k - May 30, 2010
• Camsur Marathon - 21k - September 26, 2010
• Run Rio Trilogy Leg 3 - 32k -Nov 21, 2010

So far these will be the races that I should be ready for. Most likely I will still be joining other races in the middle of all this, but these are the majors ones that I am going to be putting on top of my list. 

If all goes well, I think I'm going to be ready by then to do the 42k on February 6, 2011. Yes it's already on my calendar! haha

As for my "dream goal" well I came up with it right after watching the movie "Spirit of the Marathon". All of you guys who watched it know what I'm going to say next don't you? 

Well here goes, my "dream goal" is to 

run the Boston Marathon one day. 

The way I want to get in is by being able to qualify for it. I really don't know if I can make it, who knows maybe I never will. But, lately I keep it in my mind and in my heart. I use it to fuel me stronger when I train and I keep it up there as something I want to achieve for myself. If I ever do, that will be my mecca of running. 

My journey starts now.

"Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible." -Doug Larson