Right before my 30th birthday, almost a decade ago, I decided that I wasn’t going to pass that milestone without running a marathon. I’d been a runner since I was 16 or 17, and although I’d managed to bang my way through a couple of 10Ks, I hadn’t intentionally inflicted 26.2 miles on my body, and I thought, ‘why not?’. So, I trained up – kinda – and ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 1998. There is a picture of me at mile 10 very 
happy (I am, at least, smiling), and there is a picture of me at the finish line, sitting down, shoes off, also looking very happy. In between those two pictures, I am happy to say, there are no photos.
Well…in eight months, I turn 40. And, on September 6th – conveniently – there is the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Mile Ultra. And…I thought, ‘why not?’.
Registration confirmed this morning.
Stay tuned as I photograph, record, and attempt to keep myself motivated and uninjured in pursuit of this clear and unambiguous declaration of my nondeadness. Frequent, enthusiastic, and helpful commentary is appreciated.
For many years now I've left a trail of flecks across the Internet. Just begun novels; explorations of culture, music, writing, food, the future, mountains, long distances, shallow oceans, deep canyons, oddly-composed music, even more oddly-constructed poetry, impassioned editorials, strident analysis, and a slew of images, sounds, and scribbles. Most of this has passed into the aether, waiting only for some semi-sentient algorithm to pull it from obscurity twenty years hence. In the meantime, there is this lodestone, gathering what it can.
Anselm Scheck (Amy's Son, just in case you have a 40-year old brain fart...)
on Mar 20th, 2008
@ 6:27 pm:
Hi, you told me to make a nuisance of myself, so here I am.
=Tongue out… 
forever! If you’re not annoyed yet, look at the youth of todays paragraph; the way of life.
Wake up, do your stuff, go to #%$@ school, listen to people saying the same thing they’ve said for six years, die of boredom, be resurrected, go home, play video games, go to sleep, forget to close your eyes, wet the bed, and repeat the cycle. Hail! This is not my life, by the way.
—Bob Dylan & Police Fan Eternal
Peter
on Mar 20th, 2008
@ 6:30 pm:
Well….thanks… That is perfectly nuisancey.
Rosie
on Mar 21st, 2008
@ 2:16 am:
Go for it. Do it. Just don’t die from it. I will not be the pain in the pain-in-the-ass that you want people to be. I will be in your cornor encouraging you to do your personal best. Note I said personal best. Don’t try and compare yourself to others in the race. All one can do is put their best forward and tell the rest who never enter the ring to KMA.
If you need further encouragement, just look how old I was when I achieved my black belt in Shorin-ryu Karate. Consider now all the ailments I have and I will soon demonstrate for my second degree, and how old I am now! Sempher Phi and never give up or in.
Keep this encouragement in your pocket and go for it…c-ya Rosie. and If you need altitude training, just come on out…
reb
on Mar 21st, 2008
@ 6:15 am:
super-crazy. but good blogging material so I’m behind you a million percent…
DShoe
on Mar 21st, 2008
@ 7:36 am:
Holy crap! When did Anselm grow big enough to write?
Really, I’d like to do this with Peter. Really. Unfortunately, I think I’ll be far, far away. But like Reb says, behind you a million percent, you crazy #%@$.
Jack
on Mar 21st, 2008
@ 8:45 am:
I say DO IT! Run harder than anybody else. Trip your competitors, elbow them in the face as you weasel your way to the front of the pack, because let’s face it…this IS a competition. If you don’t finish first, you’re going to turn 40!
Erinn
on Mar 21st, 2008
@ 2:31 pm:
YOU GO and I do have to say that I am quite impressed with the “crazy #%!*, nondead, motivated, at times twisted, hopefully non-injured, almost 40 year old” adventure seeker that I work for and with! Seriously, Peter — good for you. I have no doubt that you will do whatever it takes to accomplish this challenging goal…and you know I’ll be here to do whatever prodding and harrassing is necessary to help you out along the way.
Erinn
on Mar 21st, 2008
@ 2:37 pm:
AND….I’ve already officially added it the calendar!!!!
Peter
on Mar 21st, 2008
@ 3:12 pm:
Rosie….as always thanks for your own particular style of motivation. Try not to kill yourself on the second degree.
Reb and DShoe…happy to be the butt of any blogging…and D, so sorry you “have” to be out of the country for this puppy.
Jack…are you kidding…I start that stuff the veteran runners will knock me off the trail, string me over a charcoal pit, and roast me up for the post run party. But thanks for the good wishes.
Erinn…as always, thanks!