The traning is done.... Time for fun?

I've never ran one of these before, so I don't know how your supposed to feel. I guess the best way to describe the way I feel, is somewhere between a kid on Christmas Eve and Saddam Hussein last Friday night. Lets hope Sunday I can compare it to finding a brand new bike with a fancy banana seat and not... well the fate of the latter.

I don't know if this will be the last marathon I run, that will be determined at a later date. I do know one thing, this is the hardest thing I have ever done. The weekend long runs, midweek tempo runs, and the track.. Oh, how I hate the track. Then the cross training (bike & weights). It's been 16 weeks I'll never forget. Having said that there are a few people I would like to thank.

As I like to call them, my medical staff. The good doctor Page- I know you told me not to run any more, but if it was not for me you wouldn't have that new Porsche. my pediatrist Dr. Levine you really no how to scare a fellow, all I wanted was for you to fix my toe, not an appointment with a cancer specialist., and yeah thanks for fixing my toe.
Dr. Letson at Moffit Cancer Center, thanks for the good news, I like you the best... My cardiologist Dr. Leche, thanks for the thumbs up on the ticker,... Now, you said I wouldn't die... Right?
Physical Therapist Sperry. you have the gift my friend... And something tells me I will be seeing you again.

To unrunric, my brother thanks for your commits on this blog, it's nice to know someone is reading this. But you might catch the running bug, then I can call you runric.

To my other brother Randall, This is all your fault... you know last year all I wanted to do was run the Gasparilla with you, thats it! Now look at me, what a mess you got me into. Joking aside, believe it or not you are a true inspiration to me and I hope you realize the talent you have. And keeping the name thing going you can be called ranrandall.

Boy, this is starting to sound like a death march... Just a few more.

To Mom and Dad, I can honestly say if it was not for you two, I wouldn't be here today...After sunday I might curse the day you two met, but thank you

Stu, Kevin, Tim and Russell next year will one of you run this thing with me?

And finally to my wife Ella, Thank you for all your support, and for listening to all the wining and complaining I've done for the last 16 weeks of my training......Heck for the last 25 years. you are a saint, thank you and I love you.

Now with all the mushy stuff out of the way. I hope to have a report of my Rat Run in Disney on Monday or Tuesday, if it's not up by then, that will be your first sign things didn't go as planed. To be honest I think I'll be aright, some times when I read the things I write, I think I go a little overboard on the, "If I make it" or "If I survive"- that kind of stuff.
I've done the training,... Now I just have to trust it and enjoy the ride.
Anyhow the 5 Ron's will be on board with me to keep me company during my 4 hour journey. As well as 16,000 other runners.
I think I will continue to write this blog after the marathon, I find it to be therapeutic and it keeps me from whining to my wife.
All thats left now is the sound of the starting horn, see you when I get back, runron.



"Okay fellahs..Hey fellahs....This is what you work all off season for... This is why you lift all them weights... This is why you do all that stuff."

...........Bill Parcells........