The bet: Stefan had to beat my best time in the marathon by 5 min. 30 sec.
["Documentation of the bet in The Shed": photo GH]
If he didn’t, he had to buy a gift for The Shed (e.g., a bottle of single malt) with a $50 limit. If he did, I had to buy the gift.
He got too busy with work to train; I stepped off the treadmill in Feb., 2006, took up hockey and put the money I usually spent on running shoes toward sticks and gas for the motorcycle.
But the bet is still on. And a year ago we updated it.
The Swede now has to beat my best time in the half-marathon by 4 min. 15 sec. The distance has been cut in half but the prize limit has increased by $10.
According to The Shed rules - verifiable (see Reg W.) - if we don’t run an event in 2010 the bet is off forever and we’ll both be declared losers. Big losers.
Well, here’s what I know about The Swede. He is still working like a dog and has no time to train. His legs, once as sturdy as trees, are now weak and sluggish and carrying around a heavier load.
And here’s what I know about me. I play hockey once a week, ride over 100 miles per week on my exercise bike to help with my skating and endurance, and have a lousy slap shot.
However, I ran for the first time in two years last night and I’m still here. And I’m committed to gradually pick up my miles and post an official half-marathon time by December 31st - without saying a word to The Swede.
And I’ll work on my slap shot.
Don’t say a word.
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And don’t smoke. More Lite News here.
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