I like running. And I like punk music.

Question: What are you doing?
Answer: I'm training to run the Long Island marathon (26.2 miles) on May 4th, 2008.

Question: Why are you doing this?
Answer: Because I like to go and run for prolonged periods of time. I also like to torture myself. The two go hand in hand.

Question: No, why are you writing about it and posting it on the internet, you self-important twit?
Answer: Good question! For one, I'm anticipating a good amount of funny, odd, or just interesting things to happen during all of this running and I figure it will entertain people between stealing music and jerking off to free porn. I'm also hoping other runners will see this and comment with tips, advice, whatever, since I don't know what I am doing. And there is the off chance that I'll hit on some deep philosophy about life or junk.

Any other questions? Good, I'm not here to chit-chat.

I'm into day three of my training. Let's recap;

Tuesday, October 16th, Day 1 - Ran seven miles after work (about 9pm) without any stops. I listened to Mind Eraser's Cave, the New Lows demo, and 86 Mentality's Final Exit. It was one of those runs where no matter how much you're pushing yourself, you just don't get tired, which set off my final decision to start this whole thing. Last summer I had gotten into a bad bicycle accident which I don't think I ever properly recovered from, since I had no health insurance. Later on I had a nagging pain in my knee which I kept ignoring and further injuring until I had to stop running altogether. I had wanted to train and run a marathon for quite a while, but with the constant hindrance of my bad knee I knew it was just not possible. With my knee feeling fine I'd begun running a good amount again and after Tuesday night I knew it was time to do this for real.

Wednesday, October 17th - I was mildly surprised that I felt fine after seven miles the night before, so I went out for another six when I woke up. I ran three to a beach nearby while listening to American Nightmare's Background Music and then three back to Black Flag's Slip It In. I took a brief break in the middle and stretched on the beach to Antidote's Thou Shalt Not Kill. I forgot how great beaches on Long Island in the fall/winter can be; nobody goes there so you can be alone and appreciate your surroundings. What is best in life? Hardcore, isolation, and nature.

Thursday, October 18th - I had to go to Sayville Bike Works to get a new tube since I got a flat tire last night in some backwoods area of Oakdale. The bike shop is about two miles away so I woke up and ran there and back for a four mile run. Deathcycle and The Dicks on the way there, Ramallah on the way back. Sore as hell, but I got the job done. Running early before work has it's advantages and disadvantages. It feels more like a chore, my muscles aren't very loose, and I can't really appreciate the experience as much, but I feel like I have a lot more energy and my spirits are a lot higher the rest of the day. There are also people around, unlike at night, which is a bother. Some asshole almost ran me over by one of the many gigantic Churches in Sayville. I'm sure Jesus was pleased.