As the sun was dipping down during my evening run, I caught a hint of wood burning and the feeling of FALL approaching, quickly came over me.

It is the beginning of football season, the end of baseball, and soon it will be time to break out those sweaters and jeans.  Sure, we officially have a few weeks left of summer, but those days are numbered.  And as I approach the fourth and final season of this journey, it is fun to reflect back.  

January 2nd, 2008 - my attempt to run 1 mile was painfully eye opening.  I remember the feelings of humility and doubt that I could even go 6 miles again....let alone 26.2.  But here are now...just 3 calendar seasons later (and soon to be number 4), I am darn close to completing this challenge.  

Thank goodness for the supporters - for their encouragement is priceless, the doubters - for their thoughts are fuel, the inspirers - for they keep me going when it is tough, the loving ones - cause they are just ALWAYS there and ALWAYS ready to help, and past - for numerous memories of triumph, defeat, adversity, practice, patience, effort, and persistence.  I guess I can say this journey started many many seasons ago....and will continue for many seasons to come.

I started with more with a little "sweet child of mine" at 7:09, as I began the 18 mile journey running through parallel to some of Indiana's finest corn field.  It wasn't long however, until I was joined by Brad.  We ran another 3.3M.  Like it is was all my friends these days, it was great to catch-up and share stories.  Brad passed the baton to Jake and Wes, sometime around 8:45.  By this time the humidity was up and the sweat was poring out of us.  I told them, I felt a little like Forest Gump when he started running.  First he was by himself, then someone joined in, and before long everyone was there.  Jake quickly reminded me that I did not have a beard.  Next came Quinn and Lisa.  I feel like I don't see them enough so this was a true treat....catching up, seeing how things have been, etc....  And final, Katie (aka Little Bit) and I finished off the last couple of miles in fashion.  It was a another great day and a great time with everyone.  Thanks to all that came out this morning....not sure I would have finished today without the support and quality time.

Then the best part came.  The post run breakfast really was another excellent feast.  Mom claimed, earlier in the week, that she wasn't going to cook very much this time.  I just kept saying "ok, whatever you want...no big deal mom."  Amazing though that by the time Saturday rolled up on us, the menu had expanded dramatically.  Today, she went with the traditional scrambled eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, OJ, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, muffins, and fruit....  Here is my man Easton, enjoying it to the very last bite.

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Driving home from chicago at 2am last night, I began thinking of all the little things I have started doing out of habit during training or all the things that get me rolling for a run or other lessens learned.  So here it is.  B's Top Ten list; thoughts from a running neophyte.

Number 10 - It is all about the shoe.  The best thing I ever did was get fitted at the local running shop.  Along with that, the orthotics have been a savior.

Number 9 - Peanut butter is the food group all of its' own.

Number 8 - For some reason the Nike+ SportsBand just isn't cutting it.  Maybe it is because I don't have Nike shoes!

Number 7 - WATER is to friend as Glenn Close, in Fatal Attraction (side note - the most scary movie to the majority of guys), is to the perfect lover.  Give it/her enough attention before, during, and after and everything is copasetic.  The slightest hint at neglect and here comes the pain.

Number 6 - Use the trees and the corn.  Every time I pass trees with leafs hanging down, I slap them like I am giving them a high-five.  I envision the corn fields and the trees as fans cheering you on.  Goofy right?  Yeah, I think so also but slap a leaf next time and see if you don't smile.

Number 5 - Mixing it up is key.  I try to run in different places, routes, and times of day.  One of the best runs for me this year was a 2 hr. exploration of Denver. We were able to run up and down all the streets and really see the entire city. 

Number 4 -  Family/Friends/support group is such an added bonus.  It is nice to not only keep them in the loop but more importantly having them ask and check how the training is going and provide encouragement to keep it rolling.  

Number 3 - There is been an explosion of apparel, OEM's, accessories, programs, shoes, etc for today's runners.  You have your choice of shades, sox, water bottles, head bands, watches (with or without GPS), monitors, online programs, training blog's, virtual coaches, electrolyte bands, gloves, a shoe for every foot type, dry fit this, wicking that, back sacks, and so much more that I am sure I am missing.  I think it is a race to which sport can have more "gear" - the under armour world of football or the Nike proliferation of running.  With that - clothing manufacturers sure have perfected the women's running apparel lines.  Women look great, comfortable, non-restrained, and athletic in their gear.  HOWEVER, men's running clothing are still too tight, too boxy, and not built for anyone over 155 lbs.  Who wants to see all the way up a male thigh?

Number 2 - Don't wash your dry fit with fab softener.  If you do, go buy Penguin Sports Wash to restore your wicking.  Otherwise, you are just running in the same old cotton T.

Number 1 - You got to start the Run with ACDC!!!  I am a guy that cranks it up in the morning on the way to work (ie..something a little harder like GNR, Rage, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, etc...) and simmers it down on the way home (could be country, coldplay, or whatever to calm down).  But nothing picks up my initial stride at 5:45 am like ACDC!  Come on- Thunderstruck!!!!

Obviously, the cause and Jason are true inspirations for this, but I do have personal reasons for jumping on this marathon band-wagon.

Recently, a good friend of mine witnessed me eating a spinach salad for lunch. He looked at me in disgusted and said "dang....I don't know who you are any more!!" To some degree he is right. This is somewhat of a transition year for me, on many fronts, and at the beginning of the year I realized that my health needed to be in the transition plan. Now, some 400 running mile later and many many protein shakes and spinach salad consumed, my health is back on track. So, that is really one of the personal reasons for taking on this marathon journey.

Number 2. I made this list, soon after undergrad, of all the things I wanted to do in life. I am sure we all make such list, but I had forgotten about it over the years. Having recently looked at it again, I noticed that "running a marathon by age 30." was snuggled between making a trip to New Zealand and playing at Augusta (still waiting for my invite) Well, this is year 30, so - - got to try to knock this off just for "crossing it off the list" sake.

Finally, Jon Sammons, another friend from undergrad and former O-Lineman at Hanover, has turned himself into a Boston qualifier. It is kind of scary because he truly looks like a horse running with a bunch of cats. He and his family would stay with me in Boston during the marathon and he would continually ride me about completing this 26.2 miles. I think he just wanted another running comrad but after being bangered enough, I finally agreed I would give it a go (though Boston is way out of reach for now). Having made this committment, I told a few close family and friends and they some of them essentially told me I was nuts and no way could I do this. Well, right there was all the motivation I needed. I got to admit, I love to prove people wrong!!!! And it is amazing. Everytime I am on a long run and don't want to finish - I think about those doubters and amazingly it become easier finish strong. Lets hope they show up on Oct 12th.

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Many of you out there have asked me question pertaining to the who's, why's, when's and how's of this marathon. I hope to use this blog as a channel to answer your questions and share with you my journey to date and for the next 2 months. Please feel free to ask questions, make "appropriate" comments, etc.... I will try to make 2-4 posting a week, so revisit this link to see the lastest!

Only one real ground rule! I work and type fairly quickly and don't like to proof read. English has never been my strength - therefore for all my eastcoast, westcoast, Texas, sibling, and private - school friends, family, and classmates - NO RIPPING ON MY HOOSIER ENGLISH

With that said...let the fun begin!!!

First, Why Team McGraw? Back last fall when I decided to run a

marathon, I felt it would be important to try to align my

incentives with inspiration from those around me. I did not have to

look far, only towards my friend Jason. And in doing so I learned that

the Tug McGraw foundation seeks to raise awareness and improve the

quality of life for patients and caregivers affilicted with brain

tumors. Thus after making the appropriate contacts and reaching out

the Jason and Sunni, Team McGraw seemed to be the right team to join

for the right reasons. So now all it is going to take is a little more training, a little more fundraising, a lot of fun, and the big show down on Oct 12th.

^{If you would like to find our more or make a donation, please click on the link. http://www.active.com/donate/teammcgrawchicago08/tugBMonk}