Do you know where the weight room is? I'll check it out...

Lots of people can get distracted at the gym - making tough faces into the mirrors or asking girls, "which way the weight room is?" like Chris Farley in Tommy Boy (clip below). I watch TV when I run inside, but it's just something to keep my eyes busy. If I watch what's going on in Zumba class or another part of the gym, I'm sure to miss the treadmill belt and eat it. If you're going to do a run at the gym, make sure you stay focused on why you're there.

Running inside is way boring. I don't recommend it as a primary training activity, but sometimes you can't avoid it. Yesterday I did my 7 mile run at the gym because it had rained all night and looked like we were in for more. I like to do my long runs on a dirt trail so it could have gotten messy. Turns out the weather held up and I was just a big wimp. That aside, the important thing is getting in the miles and pushing  yourself. It's critical to just "get it done" sometimes. Bad weather? Move the day of your run if you can or run inside. Modify your training, but keep moving.  Find something or someone that motivates you, and these obstacles become easier to beat.

I'm lucky enough to have friends and family who support and encourage me, but a special group of friends are particularly motivational when it comes to running. As I may or may not have mentioned, I joined Team in Training when I lived in Los Angeles in 2007 to train for my first marathon and raise money for cancer research. These people have become a huge part of each others' lives (I eventually married one of them and not the only one to do so) and they continue to do amazing things. It would be too long of a post for me to talk about all of them, so for today I'll talk just about my friend Carlos Pineda.

Carlos was an experienced marathoner when I met him, but he now trains for IronMan's (Swim 2.4 miles / Bike 112 miles / Run 26.2 miles - good lord). He's one of the most positive guys I know and always has a kind word of encouragement. Having friends who also have big goals and support yours is one of the best ways to stay motivated - so tell people about what you're trying to achieve, and they'll keep you going and also keep you in check. A bunch of these friends are coming to New York this fall to run the NYC marathon with me, so I really have no excuse not to as we'll be keeping up with each other from across the country.

Carlos is currently training for a Half IronMan in June, and is still fundraising for Team in Training. Check out his page here: Carlos' Fundraising Page.

Even better than motivation though, is inspiration, but we're getting to that part.

Drive Slow