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So now that I’ve accomplished the CCIE goal, I’m setting a new one. Since I neglected my health for so long while I was studying, my new goal is going to be fitness oriented. I’ve decided to run a marathon.

I have a copy of The Non-runner’s Marathon Trainer. This book outlines a 16 week plan to start from scratch and be able to finish a marathon. I think this will be perfect.

Just for the record, a marathon is a 26.2 mile race on foot. Also for the record, the longest I’ve ever run is a 5k which is about 3 miles. And that was a long time ago. Essentially, I’ve done no exercise for over a year. The last thing I did was the 36 mile Circle the Bald bike race in April of 2006.

Having decided to do this, I needed two things. First, I needed some good running shoes. I went to Dick’s while I was in Dothan and bought a pair of Asics. They are pretty good. Hopefully they won’t hurt my feet. We will see.

Second thing is to pick a marathon and sign up for it. I’ve decided on the Atlanta Marathon. I will be signing up soon. It runs on Thanksgiving Day. This is plenty of time to train.

I will begin my training next week when I get back to Athens. The first week will be a warm up. After that, I’ll be following the guidelines in the book. I’m not going to let my work schedule derail me either. Just as I didn’t let my personal life impede my studies, I will not let work interfere with this personal goal.

Not to get ahead of myself, but finishing this marathon will be a nice segue to my next goal, which will be to train for and finish the Brasstown Bald Buster. But we’ll talk about that some other day.

I have no doubts that I will successfully finish the marathon. I’ve always known that I could accomplish anything that I set my mind to. Getting my CCIE only confirms it.