A Very Important Topic

HELLO!

Now that I've got your attention, it's time to talk about a VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC.  I woke up today after not really sleeping (a story for another blog post) and realized that my birthday is in less than 6 months!  And not just any birthday...

My 50th birthday!

Now, I suppose most people are bothered by turning such a monumental age as half a century but I'm actually excited about it.  I'm having the time of my life, living a life that I could only dream about a few years ago, and sharing it with someone I love.  It just doesn't get any better.

So here's what I want to talk about:  I wanted to do something monumental for my birthday to celebrate being happy in my own skin and to commemorate this milestone birthday.  Thing was, I had no idea what I wanted to do.  So what did I do?  I took to the internet and asked for suggestions.

I got several good ones that I may do along with the main one that I'll tell you about in a minute.  Here are a few of them:

1. Hang glide over a volcano (not likely, but good idea nonetheless)
2. Do 50 things that challenge me, big and little...and I am going to try to do this one along the way.
3. Give 50 blessings to others...another one I am going to try to do.  It appeals to my desire to become a better person.
4. Run 50 miles or 50K or some variation of the number 50.
5. Run a destination race...already have a couple planned, including the Marine Corps Marathon not long after my birthday.  This will also be the first time I've ever traveled alone.
6. And the one that I am definitely doing:  Circumvent Oahu.

Now I know you are thinking I am crazy, but hear me out.

I won't do it in one complete run, there is no way I can take the time off work to do so and let's face it, I am NOT an ultra-runner by any stretch of the imagination.  Maybe some day but not now.  The distance is doable if taken in chunks, like making every long run part of the journey.  I mapped it out and it comes to just over 133.5 miles...a distance I do in less than 2 months.

All that was left was to run it by my better half (see what I did there?).  I was pleasantly surprised that he didn't laugh but encouraged me.  Not that he laughs at me but to be honest, it does seem like a crazy thing to do.

I'm going to wait until after my half marathon this coming weekend to start my epic journey.  I can't wait to see the island in a new way and I'm excited about the things I will learn (hopefully) about myself.

So, come and celebrate this adventure with me!  It should be fun as long as you don't get tired of my self-centered rambling about my birthday.  If you stick around for it all, I may even share my cake with you :)