Uncle Crappy

Those of you who have been here for a while might remember a promise I made nearly two years ago — that one where I said I was going to run a half-marathon the following year.

Have you stopped laughing yet? It’s OK — I haven’t either.

The unfunny part about that promise is how little I did to actually follow up on it. Yeah, I started Couch to 5K — uh, more than once — and there was that one time I made it three whole weeks into the program.

And then? Um. That winter was sort of cold and snowy. And while I was at one time young and in shape enough that I actually enjoyed running, that was a loooong time ago.

I would like to do that again.

I have no grand promises about marathons, other than I’d really like to sling water at Pittsburgh’s again next spring. The Great Race looks like fun, and with some cooperation from Ohio State’s football schedule, I’d like to try that next fall.

But no promises, except for this: I will be up a little early on Tuesday morning, and I will start C25K again. After that, we’ll see how it goes.

Here’s what’s going to be different this time. I’m asking you guys for help. I’m not going to turn this into an exercise blog — because, uh, you guys all know me, right? — but I will let you know once in a while how things are going. If you don’t get an update for a while, ask for one. I will be posting the C25K updates on Twitter. If you haven’t seen one for a few days, ask me why you haven’t. In either case, if you don’t get a satisfactory response, feel free to yell.

And if you feel like offering some encouragement when I complain about it — because I will — those comments will be most appreciated.

If you guys can make sure I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing — in other words, if I know you guys are watching — I will do this. It will work. And I might even get to the point where I enjoy running again.

And if anyone knows of any silly mid-winter 5Ks they’d recommend, please let me know. Especially if you plan on joining me.