I've learned a great deal over the course of completing 8 half-marathons. Camarillo's Holly Jolly taught me that while I can complete 13.1 miles with grit and persistence, without training, joy, fun and accomplishment are missing in action. Yes, a no-brainer which apparently required a reminder.

It was the first-time I entertained thoughts of quitting before completion. "No one's making you do this!" "You've completed a bunch. No one even knows you're here." "Just pretend this never happened." It was a small group of less than a couple hundred half-marathoners, 10kers and 5kers assembled on a chilly Sunday morning at a sports complex.

A combination of holiday gatherings, winter's earlier sunsets and a dash of arrogance brought me to Holly Jolly's starting line with only a handful of short walks in the weeks leading up to it.

I did complete it...with cramps and the gracious accompaniment of a fellow half-marathoner who walked the last mile with me.

It was a grueling double loop. I passed the area between miles 5 and 6 six times, which is 4 times too many. I passed it for the first loop of lap one; through it to the second loop of lap one; back to the start. Pass it again the same three times for the 2nd lap. I much prefer an "out and back."

How'd my 100 half's start?

It began as a training program to complete the Los Angeles marathon in the fall of 2014. As part of my twelve week training program, I completed 16 miles on a Saturday afternoon. I'd steadfastly followed the weekly training schedule, so I was challenged but not beaten down.

I skipped the March 2015 Los Angeles Marathon. I wasn't ready. Instead, registering for the October 2015 Jet Blue Full Marathon in my hometown of Long Beach, CA. The plan was to use the extra seven months to reach a 24 mile walk during training.

That didn't happen. I dropped down to the half-marathon the day before that first event. I've been hooked ever since.

The 13.1 mile half marathon is far enough to challenge and doable enough to repeat. In fact, it was the perfect distance, the perfect challenge.

This blog is my opportunity to share the adventure of completing 100 half-marathons during my fifties. My hope is to inspire friends, acquaintances and strangers to put on their walking shoes, improve their overall health and create time for a practice of mindfulness.

See you on the path.