I get it. It's not new anymore. In fact, it's borderline unoriginal and completely uninteresting. Once again, Mike McGuire is going to go on and on for weeks, nay, MONTHS, about how he's once again going to do a long distance run for charity. I don't get it - with all this running, shouldn't he weigh like 9 pounds now? Wouldn't he at least have gotten faster? Didn't he like almost die doing this once? My friends... the fact of the matter is, if I were to break down all my races, I can only count 2 or 3 of them where I didn't have some kind of issue or challenge during the training period. So that begs the question: Am I crazy? Yes, but not because I choose to run. I am crazy because I choose to live in a world where excuses are not an option. While it's a nice cliche to emblazen in large text on some cotton/poly blend t-shirt, it's even more impressive when you actually adopt it as a way of life. It's true, when I run the Vancouver Marathon on May 5 2013, it won't be my first time. My last run in Vancouver was the full, but it was under much different circumstances. Just days after the 42.2 KM run, I was to undergo a procedure on my heart. Truthfully, I wasn't as trained for the event as I should have been. My heart was still acting up, I hadn't cut enough weight off, and I was simply not what I would have considered completely ready. So why did I do it? The answer is simple: I wanted to say I had run a full marathon with "all the original parts". I wanted to say that I was able to play the hand dealt to me, and that I did the best I could given the circumstances. I had to take it slow, but I finished under the time limit (barely lol), and achieved a goal. I knew I was going to be one of the last ones in, but it didn't matter. I knew my mission, and I worked as hard as I could to make it a reality. This year, I'll be going in with some of the best training out there. My friends and former coaches/running mates will be leading me and my team all the way to Vancouver, once again in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My heart is a-okay, I'm eating better, sleeping more, and with the help of my new buddy, former WCW Champion DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE, I've even started a Yoga program HE invented to help me with my performance. So... now for the reason I brought you here... to see if this is a goal you've been wanting to accomplish. Running isn't for everybody and I get that... but one thing to consider is that if it was THAT easy, everybody would be doing it. I've chosen to once again run for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society because frankly, they deliver the goods. The amount of training they provide for the small amount of money they ask you to raise for their cause is incredible. The best part is, they are one of the WORLD's leading charities as far as having the LOWEST overhead costs, so that means they aren't spending dollars raised on stupid things. Not only do you get to do something amazing, not only do you get the chance to challenge yourself and improve your own life, but you are literally helping SAVE LIVES of people with blood cancers, or extend care and research for those currently diagnosed and fighting their own battles. On Tuesday November 13, I'll be at the Edmonton Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Office (#208-10240 124 St), at 5:30pm with at least one of my coaches, and am willing to answer ANY questions about what it's like to train with Team in Training. If you'd like any more information, or are on the fence about signing up, contact me anytime by using the new "Contact Mike" page. It's the most over-used line I have, but it's true: IF I CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU!!!
2 Comments
Leigh-TNT
11/8/2012 04:05:01 am
Mike, this is an awesome article!!! One smalllllll thing, it's at the office on Tuesday, not the Tech shop! (208-10240 124 St). I love seeing the progress you've made over the years, I'm happy I get to be a part of this journey.
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