No more plan, Stan

Well, this is it. In an hour or so I'll be on my way to the airport on my way to Buenos Aires, and then on the King George Island and the Antarctica Marathon and Half Marathon. This is my fifth time down, and I can tell you it gets better and better.

We're going on a different ship this year, the Sarpik. It's a bit smaller and a bit slower than the other ships that I've been on. What was a 44 hour crossing of the Drake Passage last year will take at least 58 hours this year. That's a LOT longer to be out there on the high seas.

The big lesson that I've learned from these Antarctica trips, and a column that you'll see later in the year, is that it's all about preparation. Preparation. Not planning. In Antarctica you can't have a plan. The island makes the decisions, not you. No matter what your plan is, the continent doesn't care.

I've tried to apply that lesson to the rest of my life. I'm focusing more on being prepared and less and less on having a plan. Whatever life plan I had when I was younger, it certainly hasn't turned out the way I planned. Even the more recent years of my life haven't gone as planned.

So, the next two weeks are the planet's chance to give me a graduate course in how little I really matter in the giant scheme of things. I will be in the presence of a power much greater than me. It will humble me and inspire me.

What could be better than that??

It's the same as you "prepare" for your race. Concentrate on being prepared, not on making a plan. It will ease your mind and make for a much more successful race.

Waddle on,

Welcome to Cap City

Welcome.

Those of you who follow my OTHER blog will already know that I am NOT the world's most consistent blogger. I try, but travel and life and the lack of anything interesting to say - or at least that I think is interesting - sometimes gets in the way.

BUT, this blog I hope will be different. THIS Blog is about the Cap City Half Marathon and Commit to be Fit 5K. These two races, lumped together as the Columbus Distance Classic, are now in their 5th year and I couldn't be more excited.

We've had great success in Columbus in no small part because of the tremendous cooperation of Mayor Michael Coleman. No mention of Cap City would be complete without thanking him. And, of course, we wouldn't be where we are without the continuous support of TV10's Andrea Cambern. You personal and professional commitment to the health and wellness of the Columbus community is an inspiration to us all.

So, as Andrea might say, stay tuned. This is as much YOUR blog as mine. I'll be happy to answer questions that you leave as comments and do what I can to help you get ready to come celebrate with us on April 12.

Waddle on,