The End of the Project.

It's been nearly a week since I ran the Pasadena Marathon, and I've spent most of that time thinking about this Project and what it has meant to me.

One hundred days. Five hundred actions. And a goal big enough that I really wasn't sure I had what it took to see it through. But I did. And it's truly changed my entire life.

I wrote a detailed recap of my marathon experience for my blog at Runner12, but I will say here that it was an amazing day for me. I spent four hours, forty minutes in my own head, and I crossed the finish line happy and comfortable with the person that I am. One hundred days ago, I wouldn't have been able to make that same statement.

I started Project One Five to help me prepare for the Pasadena Marathon. I hoped that it would help motivate me to stick with my physical training and healthy eating. I knew I would be posting five actions a day to the blog (and through to Facebook), and that sort of public activity would make it harder for me to quit or ignore.

The element of public accountability is huge with me. Telling my friends and family upfront about me doing something is my way of fully committing to it. I mean, once it's out there, I can't take it back. And so this project began.

Somewhere along the way, though, it began to be more than motivation to eat healthy and be active. It became a true journey for me, heart and soul. It became my outlet for things that I have needed to talk about but just hadn't. It became my therapist, counselor and cheerleader all in one.

Through Project One Five, I've shared things that I might never would have otherwise. I've shared dark moments and realized that I am stronger for having survived them. I have discovered that I truly am a good person living a great life.

I've had so many great moments, too. I stepped up to teach a class, I ran a relay in Arizona, I gave interviews for TV and print, and I made future commitments to myself and others that will ensure the legacy of this project lives on.

Most importantly, I've learned that I have an unbelievable circle of family and friends. I am loved so much more than I ever knew. And in this life, I can't think of a single greater lesson.

Thank you, everyone, for sharing this journey with me. It's been quite a ride. I'm going to take a few weeks and let this entire experience settle. After that, I see another project starting. What else is life for if not to challenge myself, right?

Action 500 - Get Ready To Run The Marathon.

After one hundred days, it all comes down to this moment.

Action 500 - Get Ready To Run The Marathon.

As I type this, I'm sitting in my car at the Pasadena City College (in VIP Parking!). In just over one hour, I'll step across the start line and begin the marathon. I'm excited, nervous, and a little bit anxious.



This has been an amazing journey already. I'll blog about it more after the race, because I really want to capture this experience. All of these actions have had a big impact on me, and I want to use all of this as I go forward to my next challenge.

For now, though, my eyes are on 26.2 miles of the beautiful city of Pasadena.

It's run time!

Action 499 - Meet The Press.

I've never really been a shy person. But Friday tested even my own "look at me, look at me!" tendencies.

Action 499 - Meet The Press. Earlier this week, an article came out in the Pasadena Weekly. Yesterday, the author published it on the Huffington Post website. Here's a link. How cool is that? Before and After photos of me, too.

At the Marathon Expo, I was interviewed for The Marathon Show. I had a chance to talk about each mile I am dedicating to a Fallen Marine, and I also had a chance to promote the Semper Fi Fund. The audio show will be available on iTunes early next week, I think.

After that, I met with a lovely young lady from Crown City News. It was a fun interview, and I had a chance to talk about SparkPeople and how it really made a difference in my life. We also talked about my other races, my excitement about running Pasadena, and even a bit about the Ragnar Relay races. The video interview should be up on their site soon, though it seems to be down as I write this. (Guess my popularity just overwhelmed their servers.)

It was all a little surreal, to be honest. I've never been to a race where people knew my name, wanted to interview me, take my photo, etc. I'm used to showing up, milling about for a while, and then taking off to run. It's weird to think that even one person along the course might have heard anything about me, this project, the Marines I'm running for, etc. It just adds a little more pressure to me to perform well, I think.

I'm ready. Bring on the media, the fans, the critics... bring them all. I'm ready.

Action 498 - Get The VIP Treatment.

Friday was an unbelievably amazing day. I have never felt like more of a runner in my life.



Action 498 - Get The VIP Treatment.

My day started with the drive from San Diego to the Santa Anita Race Track. It was overcast but still warm enough, so I took the top off of the borrowed convertible. (And the lesson I learned? It is entirely possible to get sunburned while driving around under an overcast sky. Sunscreen is your friend, people.)

The drive was a great chance to calm my mind. I even had the radio turned off most of the way, so I could drive without distractions. I spent the time thinking about the marathon, the miles to run, and all the things that had brought me to this moment.



I managed to get up through Los Angeles traffic quickly and made it to the Expo just after noon. There were already a lot of runners in line, though there were far fewer waiting to check in for the full marathon. I got in line and found out that, since I was a VIP, my bib and runner packet were elsewhere. They were very apologetic, but it was going to be a little while before my stuff was ready for pickup.

Wait. What? Me, a VIP? Yup. I credit my Marine Corps connection with the Race Director, but it was still pretty cool. While I waited for the VIP folks to get all the stuff together, I wandered over and helped some of the volunteers sorting out bibs. (Hey, it's true. ALL volunteers are VIPs!)



And then, just like that, there it was. My bib for the marathon. And it was every bit as amazing as I thought it would be.

I can't really explain my response to finally  holding it in my hand. I'm running with the number 1775. It's a tangible reminder of the reasons I am running - the Fallen Marine heroes that will carry me through each mile and the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund that is now more than $2,000 stronger.

I'm proud of my Marine Corps service and I am honored to wear this number and represent those who came before me, those who served with me, those who will serve after me, and most importantly, those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice to this great nation.

On Friday, I enjoyed what it felt like to a VIP at a large running event. And I also was reminded what true VIPs are.

 

 

Action 497 - Admit That It Takes Time.

Have you seen this going around?

You Have 1,440 Minutes Every Day - Take 20 to Workout.

I call BS. Sure, it may only take twenty minutes to get a quick workout or run a couple of miles, but that's not all the time required. If you work out at a gym or run somewhere away from your home, there's travel time there and back. If you work out during the workday, there's time to change clothes before and then shower and change back after. Saying it only takes twenty minutes seems stupid to me.

Action 497 - Admit That It Takes Time.

Let me be absolutely clear. It IS worth whatever time it takes. I get up at 4:30am to be at the gym by 5am, work out for an hour, get showered, dressed, and make it to the office by 7am. Working out or running first thing in the morning makes my whole day better, so I am happy to give up the time for it.

It takes time. And it isn't easy. But it's worth it.



But for those just starting out, understand that the "only 20 minutes" thing isn't the whole story. Don't feel bad if you struggle with adding exercise into your routine and find it tough to find the time. It WILL be tough. But it's worth it. So stick with it, keep experimenting with different times and different workouts. Find what works for you. And soon, it will start to feel automatic.

Action 496 - Make Good Fuel Choices.

You would think that after nearly two years of this fitness journey and one hundred days of this specific project, my eating habits would be absolutely solid. You would think wrong.

Just this morning... literally, this morning... I found myself standing in a 7-11, pouring coffee, and eyeballing a pack of mini-donuts. I was thinking, "well, I'm running a marathon on Sunday, so I'll totally burn those calories off."

And then the light bulb flashed in my head.

"Here's an idea, John. How about you DON'T eat those donuts and burn off calories you're already carrying, instead?"

Action 496 - Make Good Fuel Choices.



It really is that simple. Garbage in, garbage out. If I want to run strong and feel good, I need to put good stuff into my system. It's a basic truth that, apparently, I need to learn over and over again.

I went with this, instead. Is it the very best breakfast I could have? No, and I won't let myself get that obsessed with it. But it definitely isn't crap like mini-donuts or some sort of sausage tan food monstrosity off the rollers at the convenience store.

Good choices make good results. So I will make good choices.

Action 495 - Stand At The Edge.

Today has been quite a day. The newspaper article came out in the Pasadena Weekly, and I'm a little disappointed. I feel like what I said and what was printed are very different, and the article makes me sound like a shell-shocked combat vet using running to numb my pain. I never said anything like that, and I understand that the writer was trying to convey a lot of my story in a few sentences, but still...

On top of that, since I am heading to Pasadena for the Expo tomorrow, I needed to get myself packed and ready to go tonight. I wasn't quite ready for that, the process of preparing everything for a race. And this is a big race, so my nerves are already a bit raw.



Action 495 - Stand At The Edge. I am a day away from finishing this project and two days away from running the marathon. Right now, my heart knows I am ready but my head continues to analyze.

Soon enough, that edge will be a start line, and I'll be on my way.