A big one.....

So because I am for the most part done my exams, and I really could not care to start my lab writeups or continue my studying for my last midterm we're going to do a big update....

Why i'm/we're doing this?
So this is a story about a guy named Kel (me) and a girl named Jess (Her.... this used to read Pow, that is in fact her last name).  This story actually started from an afternoon lecture in Biochemistry.  Now you may be sitting there thinking, what on earth does that have to do with this....well that's where I first agreed to do "that" with Jess.  She had had thoughts earlier of doing an Ironman but then life got in the way, and dance, so that never happened, but her friend did end up doing that (Jess is this right).  So that afternoon, I somehow in delusion agreed to do it with her, but I didn't quite realize that yet.  Apparently the deal was I do an ironman with her, she does a marathon with me.  

So fast forward a couple hours and I'm sitting at home contemplating what I've done that day.... and stop... did I just agree to do ironman Canada (IMC) with Jess.

Phone call with Jess
Me: Hi Jess
Her: Hey Kel
Me: Did I happen to agree to do an ironman with you?
Her: Yes
Me: *Silence*
Her: Kel?
Me: Alright, thanks, see you Monday.

So just like that the plan had been set in motion, and we were off... well kind of. We planned to do the marathon this year (2009) and the ironman next year (2010).  Unfortunately Jess had some family thing to do so I solo'ed it.  There's a short summary of what happened in that.... all was well...but not really.

So this year, we've planned to do the marathon next year (2011) and then IMC after we finish University.  So along the way we've decided to blog our pursuits, workouts, musings, and epiphany's and let you know how we do along the way, so that's why we're doing it

So how did that marathon go?
Well that marathon was actually kinda fun, by far the hardest thing that I have done, and I did not train enough, but through a few things I would make it through.  I had my gels, purse clips to hold the gels, my shot blocks, my recovery drink powder, and my race bib... we were set.

Running Goodies

So with all my gear ready, I loaded up the gels around my running tights (on the advice of my pseudo coach Andii) and it actually worked out quite brilliantly.  The run was quite a lot of fun.... but very long and very cold.


The race was pretty much like this after the half way marker, you ran more or less by yourself, every so often you'd get reeled in, or people would reel you in.

Finishing Straight

You become quite unaware of certain things while you're running because you have much more important things to be worrying about... such as how much pain you're in.

Why yes my cap is on weirdly

But at the end up day, you've reached the finish line, and that's all that matter, I went through four hours of suck, but managed to finish it, and my sis also managed to finish her race (The half).

Notice the different looks on the faces

So for putting in that training, for downing nothing but gels, water, gatorade, shot blocks and painkillers for the four hours.  I got a nice belt buckle medal to signify the achievement

This is what it's all about

So that is a highly shortened story about my first marathon.

So whats next?
Well Jess is running her marathon this year, so we're starting up training in the winter for her.
I'm just trying to stay in shape so I'll be riding and running as much as I can over the coming two months. Then we start serious training in January.

Plans for the blog
Hopefully I will be able to do things on a regular basis, and between Jess and I you will have lots to read.
Each week, there's going to be posts on:
Reviews of gear used
How training is going
Revelations
Tips and things learned
Random miscellaneous anecdotes from the lives of two science majors.

That is all.... Happy November guys, I think I shall go and enjoy the weather outside.

No Snow, it's a good thing... really!

~Kel