Are You Nuts? No, just Goofy!

Inspiration to do something special can come from many sources. Reading a good article. Swapping stories with fellow athletes. Or even seeing something in person that you brought a tear to your eye.


I know I can trace back my first moment of inspiration to run a marathon to nearly 7 years ago when I watched Team Hoyt compete in the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Championships. What a father would do for his son is amazing, and Dick and Rick Hoyt have a very special bond.


I have had two discussions with my dad recently about my 39.3 quest. Positive, reinforcing messaging was expected. Conversation #1 went something like this - Ken: "I am going to run a 1/2 and full marathon in January in Orlando. A total of 39.3 miles". Dad: "What? Are you nuts?" Like I said - special bonding moments. I explained that as a runner, there are certain goals I want to achieve. This past week I had conversation #2, as we revisited the moment that is now less than 5 months away. Response from Dad: "You're going to kill yourself." Man, it doesn't get more inspiring than that. Now in fairness, I did tell my dad I was going to blog about his perspective, and therefore I get the final word. You see, when it comes to exercise, lets just say he favors finger exercises on the TV remote, so I should have expected this response!


This brings me to mom. The lifeline. Suffered through labor to deliver this athlete into the world. Ever supportive and reassuring since my first boo-boo many years (ok - nearly 40) ago. She wanted to "discuss" my 39.3 journey like any mom would. Enthusiastic, upbeat, inspiring conversation, right? Uh, that's a big negatory... Her first comments - "Have you really thought this through? I am concerned that you will have some sort of structure damage." Structural damage??? I am not bunging jumping, or running directly into brick walls here. Simply moving one foot in front of the other for hours at a time. Most people call that walking, or even running if there is any sort of pace to the activity.


Oh boy, now I am getting worried. I haven't even spoken to Grandma yet about this. I better block out an hour for that conversation. You know, back in there day they didn't have sneakers, and every road was uphill...I think the word maimed may find its way into that discussion!


Am I nuts? No, just a bit Goofy....the distant cousin of nuts, and I don't plan on having a conversation with him. Thankfully, Goofy is a pretty upbeat "person" and generally just nods a lot...

Life's Great Inventions (no, not TIVO)

One of the questions I get asked often is “Why do you run?” I first started in the winter of 2000, to show that I could complete a half-marathon (13.1 miles). After that, I wanted to be able to say I completed a marathon (26.2 miles). During all that time, it was merely a goal. Running really wasn’t much fun, and at times today, it still can be tedious. But over the years, the act of running has moved from being a means to achieve a goal, to being necessary to avoid gaining weight and staying in shape.

Now those are two completely different goals, mind you. As I approach 40, and as I am sure many of you know, the waistline tends to grow a little bit with age. My metabolism isn’t quite what it used to be, and one to many Snickers bars (as I am eyeing the one on my snack tray of the airplane right now) has begun to take its toll.

I have watched over the past few years as my waist has gone from a 31 to a 32, and more recently to a 33. Oh gasp! Yes, I know you look at me and say shut-up already. It's not so much about the weight as it is the placement of it. It reminds me of an old Seinfeld episode, where Jerry is accused of taking his size 32 pants and changing the label so they read as a size a 31, all in an effort to deny the existence of love handles.

So this brings me to life’s latest, greatest invention. The stretchy dress pant. The ones with the hidden “waist extender.” Are these cool, or what? Pure comfort for a growing boy who eats too much unhealthy food. I purchased my first pair recently, and I could easily be a life-long customer. Bring on that Snickers bar, I have 2 extra inches to “play” with on this pair of pants I am wearing! Who needs to exercise?

But if by chance, I could lose an inch (or two) in my waist through all my training, I wouldn’t be upset. I’ve been holding onto those 31s for just such an occasion. Seinfeld would be proud.

Thankfully, my waist isn’t “39.3 and counting”….that would be bad…

Let's get this party started!

Welcome to the first Ken Bansemer "39.3 and Counting" blog post!
Why am I blogging? I have never done this before, but those that know me well, know that I enjoy playing with prose to look at the lighter side of life, and have some fun in the process. So for the next 5+ months, I am committing to blogging regularly to share my perspective on my journey from age 39.3 to age 40. But it is more than that. 39.3 and Counting - the blog title - is the total mileage I am planning on running during January 12 - 13, 2008 in Orlando, Florida during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. 13.1 miles on Saturday and 26.2 miles on Sunday. The unofficial "Goofy Challenge" since I didn't register in time to make the official Goofy list. Let's remember, it's the effort that counts, and this is going to be one heck of an effort.

I am running as part of Team-In-Training (TNT) through the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I will train with a group of people from Charlotte, and on behalf of Mark Bachman (our TNT Honored Hero - more on that in a future post). This is where you come in. I need your support, both financially and in words of encouragement as I train over the next 5 months. I have set a goal to raise $5,000 for TNT. Please help support my effort by make a tax-deductible contribution to my effort by clicking here, or on the Help Support My Fundraising Efforts link above. And, I welcome your words on encouragement and support during this time through my blog. You can add comments (see link below) and keep me honest during my training. I will commit to share my training activities, so you will know I am on track to deliver in January.

The official 40 date is February 23, 2008. I am determined to go in with style (not to mention in shape!). To run a marathon at age 40 was conceived after I did my only other marathon on December 10, 2000 in Tampa, Florida. Training for that was a huge time commitment which I knew I couldn't do regularly, but I have managed a 1/2 marathon each and every year, the other commitment I made in 2000.

So, let this be the first of what I hope will be many interesting and unique postings about my "39.3 and counting" journey. Bookmark this entry as a favorite, and come back and visit often. Let's get this party started!!!