As I lined up for this year's Detroit Marathon, with what I knew was minimal training, I also knew I was in for an "Adventure" (From the Latin "Adventura". Definition: Where the outcome is uncertain). Other words I could have used in place of adventure are escapade, lark, feat, ordeal, test, trial, tribulation, risk, venture, expedition, exploration, mission, quest or stunt; the bottom line, this would be a memorable day, a day of learning, a day of self discovery ... the kind of days we LIVE FOR!

Like sailing out into the ocean at an approaching storm, I knew I would be tested, I knew there would be hell to pay, but I also knew that when it hit, I would break out in a smile knowing this is exactly what I came for. Just past mile 21, while heading back up the Belle Isle bridge, my world got dark. I laughed, smiled, shed a tear and took inventory. I changed my form, searching for unused muscles that might have a bit of glycogen left. I made goals of not walking until the next mile mark, until the next block, until the next crack in the road ... I imagined I was being lifted and pushed forward by an imaginary force, I yelled out like a madman, "It's time to pick up the pace and take it home!", and for a few yards, I actually did ... so I tried this again. I fought pain, I lost coordination, I stumbled but did not fall, after an eternity of struggle the darkness cleared and I could just make out the sign, mile 26.

Randy Step, an admitted Obsessed Runner