Back in September 2012, I announced a big goal for 2013.  I wanted to become a member of the Marathon Maniacs running club.  It must have been a symptom of 'taper madness' because I made it only two weeks before running the Chicago Marathon -- my first timed marathon distance race.  What sane individual would throw down the gauntlet on such a challenge before even knowing whether or not he could even 'finish' his first marathon race?  Well, I guess that 'not quite sane' fellow would be me.