Rocco, just a thought...if you start your 2006 Botswana trip a little earlier you can enter the Ironman Kailua-Kona triathlon! We have several 5+ hotels along the Kona Coast and I would be at the finish line cheering you on. From here you can go to Australia and onwards as planned. if you can do 3 marathons in 1 year, the triathlon should be a piece of cake! :S-
Dennis

Dennis,

No...a marathon is easy next to an Ironman.

An ironman is a full marathon, plus a couple miles swimming and about 100 miles cycling. I would never even make it out of the Pacific Ocean.

When and if I drop about 60 pounds, then I would be in a position to train for a triathalon.

I did a little amateur boxing when I was about 70 pounds less (10 years ago), but once I stopped training seriously the pounds packed on quickly. When I was boxing I am sure that I would have been in good enough shape for a triathalon or an ultramarathon but unfortunately I didn't start running until after I had already gained a lot of weight.

The time will come...I will put down the pizza and start taking my fitness more seriously. With the big 3-5 approaching next April, and the Kiliminjaro Marathon coming next February, I do hope to start training as soon as I return from Zambia next month.

Really the hardest part is getting started, but it only takes a couple months of training to be in half marathon shape and then it gets easier from there.

If I do this race, then I will be in perfect position to do the full Kiliminjaro Marathon by late February:

http://kozenterprises.com/exec/koz/h...licationID=177

One thing is sure...I will be going out at least every other day for walking safaris in Zambia. 15.5 days and counting! :)