N/A Days Left
Weight: 196
Training Time: 19:55
Total Pledge Value: $617.47

So I haven't posted in a few days, sorry about that sports fans. I can assure you though that my weekend was filled with cross-training. Be it dog walking, general misbehaviour or another trip up the Grouse Grind. This trip up the Grind was done with a backpack and a friend in tow, but we still set a solid 60 minute pace. This seems extremely respectable until you realize that women between 60 and 69 beat that time. And men in their 70s do as well. Still, we definitely passed far more people than we were passed by, I'd say it was 10:1.

Today was another squash match with The Enemy. I won the first game, lost a heartbreaker in the second and won in extra points in the third game. Then the wheels fell off and the Enemy retained her title by just mopping the court with me in the last two games. But for those of you that are thinking I'm a total loser, read on.

As I've promised some of you, this post is more important than its predecessors. I have a big announcement, monumental even. The Enemy has conceded defeat. She has elected to pay her way out of her bet rather than continue with the training. She asked me to make it clear that she is afraid of losing and does not want to continue to train (I'm sure it sounded better in her head). For any of you who think this is anything but a win, think again. I got the better of the Enemy a full 64 days before the race even began. I should be a boxer or something. The only problem is that I'd have to challenge 110 pound girls, and there's something unseemly about threatening physical violence on small women that I can't quite place.

Now the Enemy should have known better than to make a deal with a law student and not be held to it. However, I am a reasonable man. Taking into account how much time remains in our race and the fact that I have not earned any part of our $200 wager, I made a proposal. The Enemy will pay for herself and I to enter in the Summerfast 10k, a race around Stanley Park on July 22. The balance of the funds will be donated to a charity of our choosing, that has yet to be chosen (probably not the Human Fund).

I bet you're also wondering what the story is with ALL THOSE PLEDGES. I've no intention of claiming them, so good news for all of you who pledged money or things that cost money. I will compile a list of all my pledgers at some point before race on the 22nd and post it for all to see. For now I'd just like to say thank you to everybody who pledged and everybody who followed along for the last two months. I'm not quite done yet. Stay tuned until after I run the 10k on July 22.

Finally, I'd just like to reflect on what I have gained from this experience. Sure, I'm not going to make wads and wads of cash and prizes. Sure I'll never run around Stanley Park in short shorts (well...never say never, I'm open to being convinced). But, I did manage get in better shape, and to do so the right way.

In the immortal words of Vince Vaughn: "Who's the big winner? Mikey's the big winner!"

70 Days Left
Weight: 198
Training Time: 18:55
Total Pledge Value: $617.47

Today was supposed to be intervals. I got sidelined in my second set by rather severe stomach cramps and leg pain. Burger King was not being my friend this afternoon. I have to admit that my heart wasn't into it today, I accepted an articling position for next year with the firm I work for now and am quite excited about it. Look out criminal law, here I come!

I'm hoping to play water polo tomorrow with the UBC club team, they allow drop in players. We'll see how that goes. I'll keep you posted readers.

71 Days Left
Weight: 198
Training Time: 18:35
Total Pledge Value: $617.47

Got squashed by The Enemy today...again. I don't know if I'll ever learn my lesson. The fact is that I'm destined to lose to her for a little while longer. Of course, judgment day is coming, then we'll see who the real man is.

Off to ice my shins. Also, who was the anonymous reader who gave such a detailed explanation of how to tape my shins?

72 Days Left
Weight: Forgot to weigh in!
Training Time: 18:05
Total Pledge Value: $617.47

Another day, another run. Today I had one of my best runs ever. The pace was smooth and brisk, the pain was tolerable, life was good. My heart rate stayed a little on the low side (mid 150s for the first 3/4), but I didn't see a need to push it too much, I was making great time. Now that I measure my distance I think I made average time, but still, the run was great, the pace was good...Damn you all if you don't believe me!

73 Days Left
Weight: 200
Training Time: 17:25
Total Pledge Value: $617.47

It was hot as fuck outside today. Sorry for all my PG-13 readers, but seriously, it was that hot. In a sort of "in yo' face" to the heat, I decided to do the Grouse Grind. For all of you un-Vancouvarians, the Grind is a trail up the side of Grouse Mountain. Its 2.9 km long and involves an elevation change of 853 meters. It is ridiculous. My aunt told me that somebody died on it yesterday (heart attack). Today all I saw were fat girls in tears (I can't make this stuff up). Needless to say, it was not difficult to keep my heart rate in my target zone. I stayed between 160 and 170 bpm quite easily. The Enemy and I actually did the grind on one of our first dates. I'm pleased to say that my time of 60 mins flat beat out our date time by a couple of minutes.

I hope to do the Grind on a semi-regular basis, its a good workout and significantly more enjoyable than an hour in the gym. I think it'll be a good addition to my training, especially at present when my shin splints are causing severe interference with my ability to run. Plus, I get to laugh at the people who cry.

78 Days Left
Weight: 199
Training Time: 15:40
Total Pledge Value: $617.47

Sorry for the slacking. No running on Sunday after a big day at the office. I did try to run yesterday but my old friend shin splints reared his ugly head. The Coach has reluctantly got me to cut back to 2 runs per week, with cross training on at least three others.

Today I cross trained by trying to squash the Enemy. Sadly, in spite of my best efforts, and her claims of fatigue, she still made mince meat out of me, winning 3 games to 1. The only consolation I have is that the games were much closer than in the last trouncing. I assure my loyal readers that, just as on race day, I will eventually prevail on the squash court. Now somebody pledge me something.

OH! Speaking of pledges. I recieved an anti-pledge from my friend, partner in crime (well, law school crime) and avid blog reader. I speak of course of the Claire. She has pledged a bottle of tequila if I should lose the race. In her estimation I will need something to "drown my sorrows". I reluctantly accepted her anti-pledge on the condition that she drink the bottle with me. So, if I lose some of you should expect tearful phone calls...and Claire's boyfriend should expect an aggresive, drunken booty call. Hey, don't blame me, that's just how she rolls.

81 Days Left
Weight: 198
Training Time: 14:55
Total Pledge Value: $617.47

Well kids, some stupid perps got stupid arrested, arghhh! There's nothing like visiting jail with a hangover as your companion and a tee time rapidly approaching. Anyways, I did my duty and made it to the golf course in time. Unfortunately I'm in no shape to run today. I'm gonna go to bed before 10, on a Saturday. I'm cool huh?