Saturday, February 27, 2010

The Austin-Boston Challenge...

Austin - after about 100 miles on April 17th, 80 miles on April 18th in the MS150 on the bike.
Boston - after 26.2 miles in the greatest marathon in the world on April 19th (by birthday) on foot.

That's the Austin-Boston Challenge - possibly never done before - who would know :).

I have never riden the MS150 or anything like it. I've been an injured runner for over a year now and around about Christmas time a couple months ago I decided I'd give it a try. I was already also signed up for the Boston Marathon (if filled up in November so I signed up hoping I'd be ready to run it) but the progress of my recovery by December seemed to be going too slow to have much possibility to make it.

Setting a fitness goal for 2010 to average 1 hour a day of some kinda exersize the mission started to get some biking fitness riding mostly on the weekends and some during the week as I had time.

Mid February I did a couple test runs to see if I could run and surprizingly - I could. Moved up from 1 to 2 to 3 to 6 to today I did 10 miles over a couple weeks and it seems that finally this injury may just maybe be behind me - maybe. Today's 10 miler was the first double digit run I've done in 458 days and gave me a glimmer of hope that just maybe I can complete the Boston Marathon - I will continue to progress up the run in small steps and hopefully I can go farther. So to add to this charity event I've set the target to continue the mileage ramp-up on running as well as the biking ramp up and try to do what perhaps has never been done before (probably has but who knows) - ride the MS150 AND run the Boston Marathon in 3 consecutive days collecting both Austin and Boston finishing medals......

.....That is the Austin-Boston Challenge.......totaling around 200 miles between the two...
And it is done for a GREAT Charity....(yes this is where I start the required fundraising):

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive neurological disease that affects people in many different ways. It could be paralysis one day, loss of vision the next or impaired memory the day after that. Living with MS means living with uncertainty.

Why I Ride/Run

I've registered for BP MS 150 and Boston Marathon to fulfill a personal challenge, and to help the National MS Society fund research, advocate for change, and help people with MS and their families lead powerful lives. I believe in the work they do and want to be an active part of it.
Please help me in supporting a great cause and donate.

John Hill

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