So, after years and years of talking about running a Marathon this year I, James Nellis will be entering the Marine Corps Marathon along with a team of runners called: TEAM CURE.
It seems as though there was always an excuse or a reason not to run. I saw a movie last year called "Run Fat Boy Run" it starred Simon Pegg and was a movie about "running away" - he ran from everything in life and finally ended up running a marathon for a woman in his life in order to recapture her love. Well, I have no romance in mind but our family was deeply affected by cancer and that is why I chose to run this year. I am thankful and humbled by the other runners on the team. Many of them have also been touched by Brain Cancer with friends or family members. Our Team Cure consists of: Thomas Ferri, Michael Rogers, Kristan Cole, Denny Grimes, Nate Martinez, Michael Mulherin, Stella Hanly, Jay Curley, Nate Sady, Dale Pinkley, James Nellis & Meg Winkler.
In my mind I have probably talked about running at least 3 marathons over the last 10 years. So far most of my training this year has been mental :) I am hoping to really engage and build up a base the next 2 weeks.
What is a Base? Yes, I am learning all of these runner cult terms as well. Getting a "BASE" means that you run slow and train easy before going into a hard core program. If this is not done typically injury happens with the average runner. I would definitely consider myself average or below.
As with anything, I have to have a goal in mind when starting out. I spoke with multiple runners and learned about their times. I have friends that have run a 3:20 Marathon and those that were over 5 hours. I expected to run it sub 5 hours but then I heard about Oprah. That's right the media mogul- she ran it in 4:29. WOW, that is a really good time! So my new goal is to run it in less than Oprah Winfrey's time. I am shooting for 4:10 for the Marathon. This is still a lofty goal considering I have yet to run more than 5 miles and the Marine Corps Marathon is 26.2 miles.
I would LOVE to see you partner with TEAM CURE. You can do it without ever putting on running shoes. If you go to www.NellisGroup.com/MCM you will be able to donate directly to the charity. The Charity is ABC2 - Accelerated Brain Cancer Cure. They will be using 100% of the funds that TEAM CURE raises for research to help cure Brain Cancer.
Thank you for partnering with me and our Team. If you see me on the road and I look dead or have fallen over- don't pick me up just honk and yell: "Run Fat Boy Run" - see I am running for cancer. Running to find a cure so people that get ravaged with this disease can have options and a fighting chance.
Let's FIGHT cancer together!
James - newly turned Marathon Man...