The Bet

The morning of our first race together in D. C.

In another attempt at motivation, my brother and I are currently involved in a year long bet.  The bet is as follows: we each track the miles we've run for the year on an excel spreadsheet created by my super intelligent and sometimes geeky brother Ryan.   At the end of the year, the person who runs the shorter distance has to give a dollar for every mile difference.     So if Ryan runs 500 miles this year and I run 400 miles, I will donate $100.00 to his charity of choice.    (hypothetical example that will not reflect reality in any way, shape or form)

This is the second year we've done this bet.   The first time we had the bet was in 2010.  My first son, Grayson was born November 24th, 2009 and I foolishly thought I could juggle having a newborn child, a new job and running lots of miles.   Needless to say, Ryan's charity of choice received a nice fat donation in January of 2011.  I will not disclose the amount because it's embarrassing.  However, if I can get 4 people to comment on this blog, I will reveal the amount in a later post.  

This year will be different, though.   I currently am only 17.1 miles behind him with half a year to go.   Some may think that with two small children in my family and my brother beginning to train for a marathon this week, that I made a foolish mistake.  I disagree.

Here's my top five reasons while I'll be victorious this year.  

5. The weather in Colorado is way more conducive to running than the running in Kansas/Missouri

4. He just developed shin splints (yowzers!)

3. He's getting married in two weeks and I'm guessing he won't be running that much on his honeymoon in Hawaii

2. My charity of choice this year is HealthEd Connect and I really want to have him give money to such a worthy organization

1. I'm better looking



I'll try to keep folks updated throughout the year on this bet.  

Here's the ribbon that I'll wear on my lapel, when I win!