Welcome to Hell. Now, there's no escape.

Total miles run since entry to marathon: 5
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Total calories burned through exercise since entry: 1,500
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 0

If you've found this blog, you're either a) obsessed with hell and have been sitting in front of your computer for hours searching for things related to the dark kingdom of the underworld or b) you were sent an e-mail in which you were begged for cash in my quest to complete another tortuous 26.2-mile journey, otherwise known as the marathon.

Why is this blog called Like a Bat Out of Hell? Mostly, because Blogger wouldn't let me name my blog "Holy F$@#@n' S$%t" or, my other preference, Two Things not to do with a Sandpaper Mitten - well, okay, they would let me name it that last one, but, you know, I didn't know if anybody would get it.

I call it "Like a Bat Out of Hell" because that's how I run - reckless and without one freakin' iota of a clue about what the hell I'm doing. Perhaps that's why my marathon times have gotten consistently worse with each proceeding event.

But this time it's different. First off, I'm running one of the grandaddies of 'em all - the 2006 New York Marathon. And, this time, I'm consulting with a coach.

But most importantly, I'm doing it all for a charitable cause - children.

Team for Kids - the charity I'm running for - provides programs to ensure that children in need get proper nutrition and learn to live a healthy, sustainable lifestyle that frees them from the trappings of obesity. These programs are aimed specifically at children in neighborhoods that might not typically have access to adults that genuinely care about them and their well being. Your money will help provide teachers, coaches and training to get urban youth interested in eating right, exercising and making choices aimed to help them steer clear of a life of drugs, crime and unhealthy habits. Team for Kids is the official youth charity of the New York Road Runners Foundation, the organization that puts on the New York marathon.

Now comes the pitch - I pledged to raise $2,500 for the organization in the next couple months, and I can't do it without your help. The marathon is on Sunday, November 5. I've got until then to come up with the cash.

I'll even work for big donations. Need something fixed around the house? Need hardware advice? A paper edited? Want me to mow your lawn? I'm sure we can work something out.

In the meantime, if you want to begin making donations, please do. My race number is 58138 (you'll need to enter that on the donation form). You can contribute at https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar- programs/nyrrf/team/donations.htm.

Keep it tuned here for updates on the training, life and other such details. And thanks for helping me along.

- Ed