A few years ago, I celebrated a special birthday. I did it with friends at a Caribbean restaurant. There was music, cake, delicious food and a lot of laughter. However, it was nothing compared to what one man did for himself just days before his birthday. Jamaican Usain Bolt set a new world record for the 100-meter race by running it in 9.69 seconds.

Born August 20, 1986, Usain is the child of Jennifer and Wellesley Bolt. Early on, they recognized their child's athletic ability. As a result, they allowed him to focus on his athletic skills while in school. This led to him winning a medal in 2001 at his high school's annual championship track and field games. Fast forward a few years and Usain was competing for a medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Representing his Jamaican countrymen, Usain Bolt pushed off the starting line of the 100-meter run with vigor and exuberance. At the halfway mark, it was obvious he realized he was far ahead of his competitors. Therefore, with raised arms and a pound to the chest with one hand, he celebrated his win. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Usain Bolt broke the standing record for the 100-meter race.

Now, all that was left for Usain to do on his birthday was to eat cake and ice cream. (I would say Usain would need to break out in a jig, but he did that a few minutes after the record was announced at the Olympic games. He even held up a pair of gold running shoes.) What a way to celebrate a birthday. Usain Bolt will never forget the year he turned 22-years-old. It will be a story he will get to reminisce about for years. And the rest of us? We'll be reading about it in the history books until someone else comes along and beats his record.

Let's face it. We all have a friend who's always about to do something big. You know who this person is. It's the person who's going to find a way to get into the Guinness Book of Records but doesn't have any real talent. It's the person who's going to climb Mount Everest one day but can't make it around the block. It's the person who's going to buy a mansion, but is still living in his, or her, mother's basement. Now, none of these things are impossible, but based on your friend's current situation, they just seem impossible for him. Yet, every once in a while, this person actually does what he says. This is what happened with runner Maurice Greene.

For the longest time, Maurice Greene said he'd be the fastest man in the world. But no one really believed him. They just thought he was another athletic pretty boy, talking about something he'd never accomplish. Yes, he was a runner but not "that kind" of runner. However, in the mid-90s, Greene started proving everyone wrong.

It started with him beating Carl Lewis at the Texas Relays. Racing officials stated it was wind-aided, but it still showed his emerging ability. Unfortunately, in 1996, fate stepped in, and Maurice Greene hurt his hamstring. This led to a disappointing show at the Olympic Trials. However, it also caused Greene to move to California and choose a new coach, John Smith. It was this new merger that would lead Maurice Greene to one of his greatest victories. In the 1997 World Track and Field Championships, he beat Olympic Champion Donovan Bailey in the 100-meter race and earned the title as The World's Fastest Man. Of course, this event shut up a lot of Maurice Greene's critics. He no longer was the guy about to do something big. He'd done it!

Maurice Greene's story serves as a lesson for all of us. The next time your friend, the one about to do big things, talks about his next venture, don't dismiss it. Understand that he's just dreaming and one day might make the dream come true.

Do you ever dream of taking a run on the wild side? Maybe in a remote wilderness, over cool lava rocks, near an active volcano. OK. Probably if you dreamed about this type of a run, it was a nightmare. However, in real life, there is such a run. Hundreds of people flock to it every year. It is called the Kilauea Volcano Marathon.

The Kilauea Volcano Marathon is held in Hawaii, normally in the summer months. This 26.2 mile marathon is not for the faint of heart. It is very challenging because of the location and terrain. The weather is hot and humid. The trail of the marathon is elevated and includes a field of lava rocks that are slippery. Runners often wear gloves to avoid cutting their hands from falls. (These runners just suck up the cuts and bruises on the other parts of their bodies.) There are no expos, mile markers or spectators. The only frill attached to this run is at the end when refreshments that are akin to local produce are given out along with artisan, hand-made awards. It's a tough race, but one that any seasoned runner should take on at least once.

Seasoned runners should take on the Kilauea Volcano Marathon for its scenic beauty and overall challenge. The area is remote and lovely to look at even though it's hard to run. Also, it will be a test of endurance and a chance to buff one's body in an unforgettable way. Then, after the race is over, runners can relax and enjoy the rest of Hawaii. It makes for a great get-a-way and photo-op.

Are you starting to see why the Kilauea Volcano Marathon might be a good marathon to run after all? For more information, visit their Web site at www.volcanoartcenter.org. It will tell you about race and other local happenings in the area.

You've gotta love a race that's called the Vulcan Run. Even if you're not a Star Trek fan, you must admit, it's kinda cool to be running in a race called the Vulcan Run. And if you are a Star Trek fan, well, even better. Put on your Nikes, power up your Vulcan strength, attach your Spock ears, and you're ready to run the 2008 Vulcan Run.

The Vulcan Run is actually a 10K race that's held in Birmingham, Alabama every November. It's been ongoing since 1975, when it was organized to celebrate the Bicentennial. Nowadays, it's mostly won by Kenyan runners every year but, even if you're not up to their league (not really able to muster much of that Vulcan power!), it's still fun to run in a race with so many top class runners.

This year's Vulcan Run will be on November 1st. In 2006, Runner's World listed it as one of their top six favorite races and, with more than 2,000 runners expected to enter, it's still small enough to not feel lost in the crowd but big enough to have a lot of excitement and challenge.

An additional added bonus to running this race is, if you're in the Birmingham area, the Birmingham Track Club organizes a 'Couch to 10K in 10 weeks' program for beginning runners. For $49, you get individual coaching, information about diet, exercise, training and clothing, and 3 or 4 group runs every week. You'll learn some great tips, meet some fellow runners, and end up in great shape for the 10k race.

The Vulcan Run also has a 1 mile Fun Run, so if you have any kiddies or out of shape relatives or friends, they can still join you on the day with no excuses.

The race starts at 8am on November 1st. You can register at the Trak Shack (see how, if you squint, it looks a bit like 'Star Trek'?) in Homewood, Alabama or online at http://www.active.com. So, sign up for the Vulcan Run. It could be your chance to boldly go where many men have gone before (come on, I had to say it, right?)

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://vulcanrun.com

The Pikes Peak Marathon is unique and, as a result, only right for a few runners. Therefore, In order to see if you are one of the special runners who can do this marathon, you must first take a quick questionnaire. Here are the questions. Answer the questions by circling yes or no.

(Yes/No) 1. Do you hate air?
(Yes/No) 2. Are you afraid to run on flat ground?
(Yes/No) 3. Can you walk like a zombie?
(Yes/No) 4. Does the idea of "falling out" seem okay to you?
(Yes/No) 5. Do you have a secret need to punish yourself?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, you are ready to run the Pikes Peak Marathon. This challenging marathon takes runners up Pikes Peak Ascent in Manitou Springs, Colorado. It starts at 6,300 feet and ends at 14,115 feet. The average grade for a "path" is 11 percent. In other words, this marathon is more like a hike. So you might want to find a pair of running shoes that act more like hiking boots in order to take on this marathon.

The Pikes Peak Marathon is so tough that the Web site gives warnings about "exerting too much energy" and the "lack of air" to potential runners. They basically want you to know that this is not a fun run that will exhilarate you. It actually will tire you out. Yet, despite all of this, you will get something from this race you can't get from many other marathons. Can you guess what it is? BRAGGING RIGHTS!

If you run the Pikes Peak Marathon, you can brag for years - even if you come in last place. It's just one of those marathons that most people won't do because it's scary. It requires more training than the average marathon and also more stamina. So keep this in mind as you decide if it is for you. Runners who tackle Pikes Peak Marathon are one-of-a-kind.

If you want more information on Pikes Peak Marathon, go their Web site. Enter at your own risk. Also, remember, do the race and BRAG, at your own pace.

Does your school have a legacy? This question is one that crosses my mind as I hear about the antics of students across the world. For instance, at Redland High School, groups of untamed teens decided to dress up in banana and gorilla suits and run around town. It was an incident that was written up in the local paper and garnered a few laughs. It also increased the rental of the cult movie "Planet of the Apes."

Unlike the Redland High School, some schools have a more serious legacy. One such school is St. Patrick's Catholic High School in Iten, Kenya. St. Patrick's Catholic High School is special. Why? This school has a history of creating world-renown runners. And one of them was Kenyan Wilson Kipketer.

Wilson Kipketer was born in 1972 to the Kalenjin tribe. His early years were unremarkable until he met Olympic champion Kip Keino. Kip quickly recognized Wilson's athletic ability and referred him to the one place that he knew would hone his talent, St. Patrick's High School.

Kipketer followed his Olympic predecessor's advice and years later, his life took a turn. He began winning World Championships in running and even went to the Olympics a couple of times. His claim to fame was the 800 meter race. This race helped him win three gold medals in World Championships and a silver medal and bronze medal in the Olympics. Until this day, his record of running the 800m (1:41.11) has not been beaten. Today, Wilson Kipketer is retired.

So, are you ready to throw on a uniform and lace up a pair of running shoes? You might have to take a time machine into the past, but at least you know exactly where to go. When you land in Kenya, you too can train to be an Olympic hopeful. Just by attending this high school, you'll increase your chances exponentially.

Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, is probably nowhere you've ever heard of. Most people haven't. Sleepy Eye isn't known for many things, but it is known for the Corn Day 10K and 5K runs. Every year in August, Sleepy Eye citizens hold Corn Day celebrations, and the Corn Day Run is one of them.

When I think of the Corn Day Run, I have pictures in my head of massive corns on the cobs wearing bright red running shoes (just like these), racing through the streets of Sleepy Eye. Behind them are little men wearing chef's hats and carrying huge pairs of tongs, desperate to grab hold of and boil the poor corn.

In reality, the Sleepy Eye Corn Day Run is a little less scary than that. It's a great day for the family especially as, with a 10K and a 5K run and a 5K walk, any family member in any kind of shape can join in. It's also more than just a run as there are all kinds of stuff going on after the race, including mini golf, a soccer shoot out, volleyball games, crazy bowling, a putting contest and free, buttered corn. There's also the annual Corn Day Parade with high school bands, floats, animals and loads of other entrants.

The Sleepy Eye Corn Day Run is cheap to enter too, costing only $12 before August 8 and $17 after that. You also get a free t-shirt if you register before August 8, so for twelve bucks, it's a great deal. It's a small race too. As of the middle of June, only 38 people had registered for the race so, if you enter, you've got an amazing chance of winning. Winners in both the men's and the women's categories get plaques, and if you complete the race, you get a medal. With corn on it.

So if you want a really small 10K or 5K run in a place that's 'real purdie,' (the race runs around Sleepy Eye Lake) enter the Corn Day Run. Sleepy Eye was also one of the trading posts on the TV series "Little House on the Prairie" so, when you get there, you might be surprised to discover you've been there before.

Calling all single women! Are you looking for a place to vacation where you can find a hunk man who's well paid, physically fit and family oriented? Do you want your vacation to be centered on a special event? Should it be something fun for you and all of your desperate gal pals, as well as inexpensive? Well, here's the place for you: Anchorage, Alaska.

Anchorage, Alaska is known for its disproportionate ratio of single men to single women. No one is totally sure why. It's the cold weather and wild animals. However, for some reason, women aren't attracted to the area. Yet, the Alaskans make-up for this situation by creating events that attracts a lot of people. One of them is the Mayor's Marathon race.

The Mayor's Marathon race is held each summer in Anchorage. It's a popular race because the path isn't too challenging. Also, this race is one that qualifies runners for the world-famous Boston Marathon. The Mayor's Marathon is also known for giving out great prizes as well as tours. Yes. That's right ladies. So don't forget to pack a pair of Uggs to replace your Nikes. This marathon understands the needs of its participants. Runners can sign up to tour the local area, which will acquaint them with locals. It's a great way to find Mr. Right now.

OK, even if you sign up to participate in this race and don't meet anyone, it will still make for a great vacation. The Mayor's Marathon offers participants a chance to run a fun and relatively easy marathon with all of the perks of a bigger and more difficult one. Plus, it's held in an area famous for its natural beauty and clean air. What more could you want?

If this sounds like a marathon for you, visit their Web site. Check out the site and find out more reasons why you'll want to run this race.

I'm a Pisces. OK. There, I admitted it. I hate to tell anyone that I'm this sign because so many contradicting qualities are attached to it. Often, I hear how sweet, spiritual and loving my sign is (usually from other Pisces.) But then, I read astrological books, and they state people born under my sign are prone to be drug addicts, prostitutes and any human entity given to excess. It's a confusing, messy situation that contributes to my desire to skip over certain sections of the newspaper and head straight for the comics. For this reason, I am always happy to read about another Pisces who is living a decent life, like retired, professional athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee was born on March 3. She is popular for her current record in the heptathlon and prior records in the long jump. Although she ran during a period of time in which track and field athletes were pumping their bodies with performance enhancing drugs, she always steered away from them. Jackie was a strong proponent for staying drug free and doing other things to build up one's athleticism. This fact has maintained her reputation as a legitimate athlete through the years.

The other thing I like about Jackie Joyner-Kersee is that she used her fame to help others. Yes, she hooked up with Nike and enjoyed the publicity that went with that partnership. However, in the meanwhile, she started a few foundations to help others. In 1988, she started the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation in order to help struggling youth, adults and families. Later, she followed it up with a combined effort to start Athletes for Hope. Both of these organizations touch the lives of hundreds of people. And why? Because one lady, a Pisces, decided to turn her dream into something that expands outside of her personal realm. It's enough to make another Pisces, me, proud. Jackie is a great example of how an athlete can use their fame for good, and what a Pisces can do in her life.