The Four Seasons Half Marathon Challenge

 
I have signed up for The Four Seasons Half Marathon Challenge.  That means I will participate in one Half Marathon event in each of the following months: October, January, April and August for a total of four races within one year.  The first event will be held on next Sunday, October 9, in the "Rose Capital of the Nation".  The distance for a Half Marathon is about 13.1 miles.  I did a twelve miles long run this morning and felt so good that I can claim I am ready for my first event of the challenge.  It is nice that a few of my colleagues will also participate in the challenge.
 
Not long ago I read part of the Decision Points by George W. Bush.  In the book he shared his experience of a Marathon race, in which he participated in 1993.  And this is what George Bush told runners world magazine about his experience at 1993 Houston Marathon.
(URL: http://dailyrunningtips.com/inspiring-stories/lessons-in-marathon-running-from-president-george-bush/)
 
“I was distraught after my dad was defeated in 1992, so I decided I was going to set a little project for myself. I wanted to run the White Rock Marathon in Dallas, so I began training intensely for it. I gave myself a month to train for it, and pushed myself incredibly hard as this was after-election therapy. But I got sick, and it was really a foolish attempt on my part. So I set my sights on Houston, which gave me some more time to train. I ran it in 3:44. I ran the first mile in 8:30 and the last mile in 8:30. It was one of the great experiences of my life. I learned that running can make you feel 10 years younger the day of the race and 10 years older the day after the race. I also learned not to be so compulsive.”
 
His running pace is close to mine for Half Marathon.  I prepare to be 10 or maybe 5 years older after I come back next Sunday.  :-)