I decide to do the LA Marathon -- the day before.  And I find out running on the gym's elliptical trainer ain't nowhere near the same as feet pounding pavement for 26 miles.

So I join 23,000 other marathoners in the 50-degree, pouring rain, splashing puddles.  Run through neighborhoods I've never been to before, including Crenshaw, Koreatown, pass Mann's Chinese, back to downtown.

Mile 5: Almost slip on banana peel slick.

Mile 14: Pass a group of 5-year old kids yelling "Hey, he! You can do it" which helps.

Mile 20: I take off soggy socks, meaning blisters by the end.

Mile 21-26. Legs ache. Pure pain with every step.  Limp-jog across the finish.  Collapse. 

It took many hours, but I finished.  Now I know hot to pace myself and make note to self:  Train next time!