It takes pain to gain in preparing for marathon

As I struggle to get up and down the stairs without crying out in pain because of the stiffness in my legs, I console myself with this thought — it is only going to get worse.

This is my 40th birthday gift to myself.

I wanted to mark the milestone in a way I wouldn't forget, so instead of a big bash or an exotic trip, I'm going to spend the next eight months getting ready to attempt something I'm not even sure I am capable of accomplishing.

In 2008, the year I turn 40, I plan to run all five Utah marathons. Insiders call it the Grand Slam, and until recently, I hadn't even considered it as something I wanted to do.

That's what turning 40 does to a person.

It makes you reflect on what you've done, and more importantly on what you haven't done. I want to know what I'm capable of doing as a runner, which I think will help me understand myself more completely as a person.

The problem is I lack that one attribute that successful distance runners share — commitment.

I am a master procrastinator, and nowhere in my life is it more useful than fitness. Seems no matter how much I plan, I can always find something more important to do than work out. That's why I will not be attempting this feat myself. I have enlisted the help of a trainer.

For the first time in my life, I want supervision.

Neil Anderson, who is a master trainer and the host of the Health and Fitness Zone on 1280 The Zone, will oversee this endeavor. We started with total humiliation — measurements and the weigh in — and then he outlined a workout plan that will cover the next 16 weeks. He's going to monitor my progress, or lack thereof, and also my health.

I will chronicle my training in this column every other week, and my hope is to answer not only my own questions about getting fit, but also those of our readers. I am hoping a few of you will play along and feel free to e-mail your questions which I'll throw at Neil in hopes he doesn't notice when I miss a workout or two.

My first question for Neil was simple: Why does he have to know so much about me in order to help me with a workout plan?

I can understand the measurements, weight and body fat, and even the essay he required detailing my eating habits. But Neil also wanted to know what I want out of the experiences. Did I want to race or just finish? Did I have workout partners or would I be training alone? What experience do I have training?