Aerobically speaking, 2004 was truly an interesting year for "g". Having come off the operating table in October (2003) with a cool cardiac stent, he modified his life style by adding a variety of running shoes to his collection of hiking boots. He had no idea he would graduate into becoming a long distance runner!

The Adirondack Distance Festival was "g's" 9-month payoff for relinquishing his throne as the 5K King. (An extremely short rein!) Who would have thunk. "g"... running 13.1 miles. Go figure.

Of course, much thanks and gratitude goes to "g's" sister-in-law, Marathon Mom (AKA Jeannie), for entering them both in the 2004 Adirondack Half Marathon. As previously mentioned in G-WeB, it was a total surprise for "g" who figured he'd live out his life running a few 5Ks a year. It's MM who gets the credit for putting "g" on the long and fast track of running.

And, Long Shots? "g" is eternally grateful to his officemate for the daily inspiration to keep on truckin'... mile after mile. At the ripe young age of 63, he's run many marathons and recently raced up Mt. Washington - the tallest peak on the east coast. Long Shots is a real American hero.

Unfortunately, as sport will sometime have it, Marathon Mom became sidelined with an injury 2-weeks before their half marathon, and "g" carried the Jogging LaBella's Torch for the two of them. So... after 9 months of training and preparation... race day finally arrived. Long Shots would run the full marathon and "g" the (baby) half.

The race around Schroon Lake was beautiful. It was mid-autumn and the leaves were beginning to turn. The temperature was about 60-degrees and sunny. Supported by their wives, The Boys had the race of their lives... next year... "g's" doin' the full marathon!