The Goal
Hello, my name is Jason. I am in my early 30′s, caucasian, well-groomed, and generally likable. I have a college degree and hold several technical certifications. I am an avid runner and in 2007, I ran both the San Diego and San Francisco marathons. I am also addicted to meth.
For the past year and a half I have ridden the roller coaster of addiction. I went from having it all, to having nothing. I alienated my friends, family, and colleagues to the point where I had only one option.
A little over two weeks ago, I made the decision to quit meth and I set a simple goal for myself. I am going to run a marathon.
This is how I am going to document my progress, both physical and mental, over the next nine months. Please check back from time to time, read about my progress, leave comments and help me run from addiction.
March 19, 2009
May 6th – My Second Run
I went for my second run yesterday after work. It wasn’t much but I did a little better than last time. I am heading back up to Seattle next week. I am excited to go and will make sure to get a few runs in while I’m up there. I am going to try to get in another mile after work. I am excited.
1 comment May 6, 2010
May 4th – One Mile Down
After work yesterday, I went to the gym for the first time in over a month. It was ugly. I started out very slow and felt pretty good for a little while. I almost quit halfway through but talked myself out of it and I was able to get in the planned mile. My goal for today is anything over a mile (1.1,1.3 anything). I am going to remember my headphones today so it should be much easier.
I had a productive day on other fronts as well. I was able to get my Jeep in for the rest of the repairs it needed so I am back to having a reliable vehicle. It’s amazing how much freedom is wrapped up in having a reliable vehicle.
I had a productive day at work and didn’t kill myself. I am starting to once again find balance and easing into a routine that makes sense.
4 comments May 4, 2010
May 3rd – Had An Awesome, Family-Filled Weekend
This past weekend was a lot of fun. My Uncle arrived home from Iraq on Friday so we all went out to welcome him home. After the visit, I decided to head North and visit more family. I stopped in Corvallis and had an awesome visit with my Dad and Nickie. My Dad has been a lot of support over the past few stressful weeks and it was great to be able to thank him in person. After the visit in Corvallis, I ventured further North to visit my Brother and his family in Portland. It is amazing how much my Nephew Jamison has grown. I have a great video of him walking around that I will post this evening. On the way back, I stopped in Corvallis again for my Sister’s birthday. We had a great meal/visit and the cake was out of this world. I really love my family!
My goal for this week is re-build my routine. I have already made some changes. I am no longer working from home. Working from home is nice but I need the structure that going to work (and leaving work) provides. Going to work has always been the cornerstone of my routine and without it my routine collapsed. I still do some work for the company in Ashland and they are kind enough to allow me office space. Today is my second day back in the office and I am loving it. After work today, I am heading over to the gym to get back into the running routine. It’s been a while since I’ve done any real running so I am going to start slow and shoot for a slow mile. I hope I am able to re-build quickly and make it to a few of the local runs this year.
2 comments May 3, 2010
April 30th – Finding Balance Again
I thought that having a drug free year behind me would change things. I thought that I could get by without the blog but I can’t. I tried but I can’t do this on my own. The past few weeks have been awful. I threw myself into work and completely lost balance. I haven’t been to the gym. I haven’t run. It got so bad that I made myself sick.
I really appreciate your support and hope everyone can forgive me for bailing on my blog. It won’t happen again.
2 comments April 30, 2010
March 25th – Oops!
I didn’t realize my domain was about to expire so it was quite a shock when I went to log into my blog this morning and was greeted by a very unfamiliar page. It took a little while but everything seems to be in order again.
Speaking of which, I am finally figuring out how to find a little order in this new work situation. I am starting to slowly set boundaries and I believe I am about a week away from having a life again. I can’t wait.
Part of my setting boundaries is making sure I get time to run. It didn’t work out very well today so I am heading to the gym, now, for a quick run on the treadmill.
March 25, 2010
March 23rd – Still Crazy Busy
I’ve been bogged down with work and other commitments, and haven’t found much time for running lately. I meant to go yesterday but I was waylaid by a work call. I meant to go this morning but I started the day with an emergency email that had to be taken care of. My current plan is to go this afternoon but I don’t hold out much hope. If I do have time to run today, I am going outside in the sun. It’s been beautiful here lately and I miss the Greenway.
3 comments March 23, 2010
March 18th – My First Run Since Detroit
I have been totally slammed with work this week. The local guy I was working for is heading out-of-town for a family vacation so I am helping him get ahead this week and will be covering for him a bit next week. This means that I’ve been working 12-16 hour days all week. I am really looking forward to this weekend.
I am heading over to the gym for my first run since my “partying” in Detroit. I have been putting it off because I’ve been busy and I am not really looking forward to it but, today, I decided I was going no matter what. Time to lace up the shoes and get it over with.
1 comment March 18, 2010
March 16th – Made It Home
After a long two days of travel, I finally made it home. It’s good to be home. I really like my home. I ended up stuck in Portland, which was pretty cool because I was able to spend some time with my Nephew. He is getting really big and he’s probably the smartest kid I’ve seen in a while.
I have been buried in work since I’ve been home. I am in full swing with the new job and my old job is still relying on me a lot. Don’t get me wrong. I really enjoy what I do so it’s not that bad but I tend to focus primarily on work when things get busy. That, coupled with the fact I still don’t have my phone, is making me feel pretty isolated.
I haven’t been to the gym since I’ve been home but I am looking forward to going tomorrow. To be honest, I’m not very excited about it. I know I set myself back with the partying in Detroit and I know it’s going to be a rough one.
March 16, 2010
March 13th – Travel Is An Adventure
I have never been so glad to be in an airport. The fast pace of this trip has worn be down and I can’t wait to get home. My coworkers and I spent every night in one bar or another. Between the smoke and alcohol I am sure I set myself back a few weeks. I am upset that I put myself in a situation where I was making unhealthy choices to be part of “the team”. While there were no drugs involved, the circumstances were much the same. Making bad choices to be “cool” is a pattern of behavior that scares the heck out of me. I know better and will definitely find a way to opt out of future bonding experiences without seeming like not part of the team. I think that I am going to just be honest and tell them I enjoy being part of the team but that isn’t my lifestyle.
On another note, I left my phone back at the hotel so please do not be alarmed if you have trouble getting in touch with me. The hotel is sending the phone express and I promise to answer all voice mails and text messages as soon as my phone arrives.
To compound my frustration, I just found out my flight has been delayed so I am going to miss my connecting flight. I trying to re-book the flight but it looks like I will stuck in Denver. Travel is always and adventure.
March 13, 2010
March 10th – Hello from Detroit
My flight in was interesting. I ended up flying from Medford to San Francisco to Phoenix to Detroit. Yes I flew West and then South to get North. As my plane descended through the clouds I was surprised at the vastness of Detroit and it’s surrounding suburbs. The city lights seemed to go on forever and were only broken by snow and small iced over lakes.
My first night in was also interesting. We went out for a team-building, male bonding, drinking binge. To say that I don’t drink is an understatement so, for me, it wasn’t much fun. I did, however, end up drinking enough that I woke up feeling awful this morning. I spent most of the day tired and recovering from last night. I made it to the hotel gym after work today and the run was just about as expected. I started out with a mile at 6mph and then ran two minute intervals for another mile, walked for a bit, and then finished with an 8.5mph sprint to the finish. It hurt the entire time but that’s what I get for going out drinking on a Tuesday night.
March 10, 2010
