Joseph A. Darmiento

Its 5 o’clock in the morning. Here I am sitting at the edge of my bed eating half a banana and peanut butter sandwich that I made last night and placed on my nightstand. A Sunday morning ritual that happens 2 hours before what is called “The long Run”. I’ll wash it down with 8 oz. of water and lie back down for about 2 hours and hopefully fall back asleep. Today’s long run is 18 miles, so filling that gas tank is crucial before getting out there. It will be close to 4 hours of running around the town, multiple neighborhoods and at some point getting myself back home. What has gotten me here? Anyone who knows me is familiar with my journey. I’ve lost huge amount of weight and through that I discovered the joy of running. It’s not that I love every moment of running, but I love the idea of doing something I never thought I would have the ability to do. So that brings me to “The Marathon” They say the marathon is “The Everyman’s Everest”. I never thought I could come close, but here I am, rope in hand. Well if the rope was made of peanut butter!

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Well its been a while since I did any updating to Couchtogym. I’ve been in a kind of writing funk for the last 2 months. It’s amazing how fast the time flies. I’m hot and heavy into the marathon training. Twelve weeks in to be exact and eight to go. Its getting tough that’s for sure. Last weeks 16 miler was an adventure to say the least. I’ve always ran alone which for the most part has been fine. To me, running is such a personal thing, but I would have to say that a little companionship might be helpful on these really long runs. I have always said that I’ve always been my own best company, but after 10 miles I can really get on my own nerves!(LOL).

As far as injuries go, I’ve been pretty good for the most part. I am dealing with a Big Toe issue (yes funny I know),But it’s not getting better. Basically I need to stay away from the hills for a while. I’m thinking of skipping this Sundays run since it’s a Bi-week, meaning no long run.

My diet, well anyone who knows me know that’s always an adventure. Last week I had White Castle twice and enough pizza to feed a small village! Lets not even talk Ice cream. I’m the only person who can work out six days a week and still put the pounds on! My goal is to lose a 1/2 pound a week and that’s not really happening. When training for a marathon losing weight too fast is not the best thing. If anything extra calories are needed to maintain energy and to keep injury free. Well I’m the best man for the job! Calories are my middle name…. Actually it’s Anthony..

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There’s so much meaning in the word Mom. For me it’s endless.

As a child, it’s toast with cinnamon and sugar and coloring books when I’m sick. A band-aid, when I skinned my knee and elbows. A hug, when I was teased by other kids. A tissue, when life seamed over-whelming

As a teenager, it’s patience and understanding, when I was thinking more of myself then her. It’s support, when I made poor choices and learned lessons the hard way. It’s a hug, when my first girlfriend broke my heart. A tissue, when life seemed over-whelming.

As an adult, it’s the strength of letting me go on my wedding day, knowing I’ll be back. It’s watching me with proudness, while I held my first born. Its being a phone call away, when I had a thousand questions on raising my kids. A tissue, when life seemed over-whelming.

Today, by example, it means when there’s pain from life’s journey there’s still a smile. Where there is weakness there is strength, and through it all, there is family.
” Hey Mom, you got a Tissue?”

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There are many mornings I turn over to look at the clock and think to myself, “I don’t want to work-out today!” I moan and groan looking at the minutes go by one by one, contemplating what the heck to do. As the minutes start moving quicker and quicker I know that if I miss that window of opportunity its all over. (more…)