Greetings!

What an amazing feat it is to run 26.2 miles. Think about that for a moment. Many of us fight for the closest parking spot at Kroger or the mall. We don't even have to get off our couch to change the channel on the TV anymore (some may not remember the old days). Imagine for a moment, arriving at the farthest parking spot at Kings Island and instead of taking the tram you had to walk to the entrance of Kings Island. Now repeat that 158 times in 3 hours or so and you'll understand what an accomplishment it is to complete a full marathon. Hats off to everyone running The Pig on Sunday!

But did you know that it's completely possible to take a totally sedentary human being and within a year transform them from huffing and puffing up a single flight of stairs to running a full 26.2 miles? Heck, you can do it in 6 months or even less. Now I'm certainly not encouraging you strap on your running shoes and join the Pig on Sunday without sufficient training. Rather, with the appropriate plan in place you can completely transform your physical capacity in a tremendously short period of time. It's possible. I've witness countless people do it. And it's one of the most empowering experiences ever.

Natalie Palmenter found support in training with a friend, and was inspired by the energy and enthusiasm of the crowd the day of her first marathon. In 4 months of training she was ready for her first event.

It took Vicki Cunningham 14 weeks of training to run her first marathon in 1998 in Cleveland. Now in her mid-forties she is approaching her 30th marathon!

My friend Brian Monahan started by combining walking and running for 20 minutes, 3 times a week. He would add a little distance and time to his walk/run each week until he was ready to follow an intermediate running plan. Brian was inspired by running (and raising money) for a cause that was greater than himself, as well as joining a group of other committed runners in training, helping him stay accountable. Since completing his first marathon Brian has gone on to finish several additional events.

Katherine Jurs was inspired to run a marathon to support her friend Greg who had been diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 31, just one month after his first child was born. Katherine trained for 5 months for her first event and has since completed 5 additional marathons. Her motivation for running stems from supporting a good cause while creating a challenge for herself. And she too gets inspired by all the support during the event, particularly during her first marathon by a sign being held by a small girl at the last grueling mile that read "You look really skinny right now!" It was all she needed to finish that day with a big smile on her face!

All of these marathoners got started with a single step. And through the overwhelming joy they experienced in crossing the finish line for the first time, have continued to run additional marathons. They simply love it.

So as we pay tribute to the dedication and commitment of the runners on Sunday, remember that you can join them next year, if you so desire. All it takes is getting started and following a plan. There are many great running programs available from Jeff Galloway, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, and the running groups at Bob Roncker's Running Spot in O'Bryonville. These programs will take you step by step to transform you into a running enthusiast using small progressions each day. The end result will be an accomplishment that you will look back on as one of your fondest achievements ever.

For those running on Sunday, congratulations on your hard work, and enjoy the thrilling experience of a lifetime!

Your friend in fitness,