1. Slim Down - How else can you zap 300 calories in 30 minutes, go for a run. The more you run the more you can loose and increase your metablolism.

2. Calm Down - Running hard erases the blackboard of my mind. I can go out in a terrible mood, angry at everything, and come back content and motivated.

3.  Find Energy - No matter how tired you are, if you go out for your run, you'll feel better afterward.

4. Run A Race - A traning plan keeps many runners heading out day after day. It also gives you a goal to work towards.

5. Be Alone - For people bombarded by obiligations, running can provide time alone. Running alone can give you time to think about the days events or even forget them. It can be used as a way of meditation.

6. Run Fast -  Set goals for yourself and keep track of your time. Challenge yourself and try to go faster from time to time. 

Marathon season this year will be different than previous years. Reason is that I play a couple of different sports now besides running. It helps to mix it up and great for cross training. For example besides running, I  now play ultimate frisbee twice a week and soon we will starting up flag football once a week. I also like to inline skate when I can. I admit I need to fit in more weight training.

So with marathon season coming up I will have to really make a out a schedule to fit it all in while also building upon my running and keeping my dedication to it a priority. I'm glad i'm doing more activities these days. I hope to do more as well! With that being said though running will also be my number one activity. Here is somewhat of a routine I plan to take on this fall.

Monday - Inline Skating, Gym or Running (pending)

Tuesday - Flag Football

Wednesday - Ultimate Frisbee

Thursday - Running/Gym

Friday - OFF

Saturday - Long Run

Sunday -  Ultimate Frisbeee

Since the last marathon it just seems like such a long off season I must say. The "in-between" races period that seems to drag on. Though it is important to keep yourself busy, productive and active.

I think that maybe a long off season makes for a great marathon season! I do keep up with my running and activities but nothing beats the training and goals of training for a marathon no matter how many times you run them. So I am looking forward to the fall and my weekly training runs.  The more you miss running marathons the more you are drawn to them, well at least I am.

My off season activities include:

Ultimate Frisbee, Inline Skating and to save gas I'd like to bike to work. So find things to keep you active and productive, marathon season is always around the corner.

This is where you will win the battle — in the playhouse of your mind. –Maxwell Maltz

I find that being strong mentally, maintaining your focus and drive always overcomes the physical pain of the marathon. Like every day, each race brings new mental barriers and challenges.

Besides being an avid runner. For the past year and half I have discovered and indulged myself in the sport of Ultimate Frisbee. At first I was very skeptical because usually when people think of frisbee usually they think of casually passing the frisbee back and forth in the sunshine on a beach somewhere.

Well "Ultimate" Frisbee is quite the opposite of this in fact. You do loads of running up and down a huge field chasing a flying disc and also chasing people who are chasing the flying disc to block it down. I  would describe it almost like soccer but with a frisbee. A lot of stop and go running and a lot of sprinting.

For the most part i've always been a long distance runner not really working on my short runs and sprints as I should be. I have found though that Ultimate Frisbee has been a great fun way of working more on my sprinting and short run bursts.

So over time friends of all athletic types have come and out and joined the team. I have found that no matter your work out style or body type--this is a great alternative cardio sport for sure. You'll find yourself getting into shape and having fun at the same time. For me personally it is a good break during the week from my regular training runs.

So my advice--mix it up! Try different activities and sports besides the one that you are most passionate about. It can't hurt right! Get out and be active.

I really like this quote, very short and simple but yet so powerful and true.

"Desire is the most important factor in the success of any athlete."

Willie Shoemaker

Desire is key in my opinion in any sport. Especially in running because like in any high endurance sport it takes a lot of desire and will to follow through. I feel that no matter the outcome of your race, your event or your training that you should always keep your desire for it strong. Never lose sight of that. You will always be a better athlete and person because of it. Desire builds will and dedication. The more you stay dedicated the stronger the desire inside you grows. They'll be times you'll hit that wall and you want to give up. It is so much easier to give up but if you dig deep enough that feeling goes away. The desire comes through and suddenly you have a burst of energy to break down that wall. It is then that you realize that your hard work and training are paying off. Each time you break down those walls, your desire, will and dedication grows stronger. Every athlete must break down barriers and walls to get better, as such in life. So when people ask why you run so much or say that you are crazy for it. Just remember inside you are working for something much deeper than a workout. To me this is what is desire and dedication are all about.