Here We Go…

BismilLah.

I am shocked to say this: I’m running in the Santa Barbara News-Press Half Marathon on November 7, 2009 insha’Allah (God Willing). That is 13.1 miles!

Am I a runner? Nope. Do I actively play sports? Nope. Am I in tip-top physical shape? Nope. Am I serious? Heck ya!

If you know me well, you would know that I have turned into a home-body of late. Although I love basketball, I’ve found myself playing less and less often since I got married. It’s been months since I’ve played and the pounds of fat have been accumulating on my aging body one shawerma sandwich at a time (BTW, go to Gourmet Burger and get their spicy chicken shawerma). Okay, back to my story…

Of course if you know me well, you would also know that if I put my mind to something, I usually go OCD over it until Iget the job done. I am going to run the half-marathon, insha’Allah.

My motivation for going through with this is my wife, Angie, and my cute little newborn daughter, Sumayyah. I want to live a healthy and active life and to be there for them both for as long as Allah will allow me to.

So what got me to do this? I got the idea from Mohammad Mertaban and Sr. Dania Amaira. They both participated in the Los Angeles Marathon (26.2 miles) this past Memorial day as part of Team In Training (TNT).  It is a training program run by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). In return for training and supporting its participants, each member must fundraise a certain amount. I plan on participating in one of their events as well and I will be going to one of their info sessions to find out more information.

I do know this though: I need to get in shape and LLS is a great cause to fundraise for. My grandfather died of cancer and I have friends and family members who have battled cancer in the past.  

Now with regards to running, as much as my optimism wants to get the better of me, I dont think it would be smart to go from couch potatoe to running/walking a  full marathon. Instead, I am going to participate in the Santa Barbara half marathon. Of course, there’s nothing easy about running 13.1 miles. I mean how often do people wake up in the morning and go running/walking for 13.1 miles.

It will take some intense dedication and commitment and I intend on being there at the finish line, insha’Allah. Lastly, for the duration of my training, this blog is going to serve as my sounding board.

~ by Abu Sumayyah on June 28, 2009.