Over the holidays, I stupidly signed up for the Krispy Kreme Challenge. Just so we’re on the same page, this Challenge consists of a 2 mile run, the consuming of a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts, followed by a run back to the start. STUPID!

My wife got into this kick about doing strange races and she convinced me, my brother and my sister-in-law to join in. I should have started running the next day, but it was the holidays. Then it was something else, then something else. So I now have less than 2 weeks to prepare for 4 miles.

Yesterday was my first run. I kept a good pace. My cardio felt good. My calves were in agony. If it weren’t for the pain, I could have kept running. This morning, I’m walking like a 90 year old man. The ice bath did not help much.

My only hope is that I can get acclimated to running just enough in the next couple weeks that I can get close to the finish. I’m counting on adrenaline and the spirit of competition to push me across the finish line.

Of course, there is the X factor. 12 donuts. Can I eat them? Can I run after doing so? Will I die?

This’ll be fun.