Can I give more?

Today I went for a run for the first time in a week. I ran a little under 3 miles (as I had kind of a time constraint issue since I was going out of town for the week). It felt great. The TV on my treadmill wasn't working so I just put on my iPod and ran.

And boy did I run. Faster than I have in months. About 1 minute faster per mile. Which in the grand scheme of things could add up pretty quickly. I can see my marathon time going down as we speak.

I am still awaiting test results, which I hope to God come tomorrow. But the whole reason behind me going to run today was that I wanted/needed to think of something else besides being sick. And there it was: running.

Along with my new fresh outlook on running I have given up fried foods for Lent. I figure this will jumpstart some weight loss so I can actually weigh in and feel good about myself. It was all Natalie's idea. She's smart, that one.

My friend Caleb, who is a crazy ultra-marathoner, gave me this quote the other day from Kenyan marathoner, Paul Tergat:

"Ask yourself: Can I give more? The answer is usually: Yes."

It's now my mantra. I can always give more. Give more, not give up. I can make my goal time in this marathon, I can drop the weight in order to do it, and I can beat whatever it is I'm up against.

Can I give more?

You bet your ass.