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

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.

"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom.  No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or hump higher than that.'  The human spirit is indomitable." Sir Roger Bannister

Running is freedom, which is a great way of looking at it. There are those days when you just feel drained from a long day of work and deadlines and you can't seem to muster up the confidence to get a run in.  I suggest going anyway. Because you can create energy by burning energy. Running will give you energy and a sense of freedom.  A freedom where you can escape your daily stresses, you'll find yourself cleansed and recharged after such a run. Even though just an hour before you felt like you couldn't do it.

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.