So i joined I gym this week...

I had been fighting the decision off for months, and boy, did I have excuses - tons of them. My job is too busy, I don't want to drive there. I don't want to be locked in to a commitment. I can always run outside,etc, etc. etc.

But in the back of my mind I knew it was the right thing to do. And maybe it was the trip to running in Florida and then comparing it with the 10 below 0 windchill, that changed my mind. Or maybe it was the fact that I've gained 9 pounds since the Ironman. In any case, I decided to sign up.

So would you want to join a gym? It's that time of year after all. If you're interested, here's a couple things to look for:

• Find a gym close to your home or office - the closer, the easier it is to fit into your schedule.
• Decide what you want before you go - yoga classes are great, but if you have no interest then it doesn't really matter.
• Ask for a weekly pass to try it out - try it before you buy it.
• Be comfortable with the staff, and the membership policies - don't feel pushed into anything, be sure to ask questions and find out how you may cancel the policy if you move, change jobs, etc.
  

I found one within 5 miles of where I live called the Buffalo Athletic Club with several locations in Buffalo, and in Rochester. And after the two week trial they offered, I signed up for three months to see how it works. If it fits, (or if it doesn't) you'll hear about it.

You don't need a medal to know you're goofy

They say this is the place that dreams come true. Boy, i don't think Walt was planning this one when he came up with Disney years ago but he was right.

This weekend participants of the first Team CWD participated in The Walt Disney Marathon Weekend. I went as one of the race coordinators, but truth be told I did little in terms of coaching. The group that signed up were already dedicated athletes who knew what they were in for, so other then a little advice here and there I worked on my own training (which after spending my first winter in Buffalo was a challenge in itself).

The weekend races went in this fashion: Friday was the 5k and kids races, Saturday was the 1/2 marathon, and Sunday was the full marathon. We had TeamCWD participants all three events. I had originally planned to run just the full on Sunday, my wife was also signed up so we talked about the idea of running together. But at the last minute I also jumped into the 1/2 marathon to run along with my sister-in-law who was running her first race (Gulp!)

I know that sounds crazy, but would you beleive they actually have an event where you run both? It's called the Goofy challenge (how appropriate) where if you complete both you recieve a third medal to signify it. And as crazy as that sounds, that are was actually filled up!!! So although i was going to do both, i would not receive that third medal (which as i found out after, has major bragging rights).

Heather (my sister) and I had to be up by 3am (3am, are you kidding me!!!) in order to get there for the 6am start. And other then the 3am start to the day, the run that we had was absolutely wonderful. I can't never have a 'first' 1/2 marathon or marathon again, but it was special to share a first one with someone, even better since we are family. I ran to get her water, bananas, etc. during the run and gave encouragement along the way. Heather actually worked for Disney before she became a teacher, so I got to hear some inside stories about the parks which was pretty cool. The emotions of course are the best part of all, we both got teary at the end as we crossed holding hands.

The run with my wife was just as memorable. We had never run a marathon together, and I was so excited about the idea it was hard to contain it (which is good because she's never been a morning person, so I had enough excitement in the beginning for the both of us). Getting to run through the parks at twilight when no one was there was pretty cool, defintely a reason to get up at 3am. And although the early start wasn't something i wanted to repeat, the run through the finish holding hands with family was.

This race got me thinking, two years from now will be my 30th anniversary with diabetes. I spoke with my wife about it (see, I am getting this marriage thing down) and we're going back in two years to celebrate my anniverary. I'm going to do the goofy for real, and it's going to be great.

It always is.