Rick Hood pedaled more than 500 miles in six days from Houston to Little Rock to run in the sixth annual marathon today.
The 54-year-old hopes to raise $10,000 for Houston and Little Rock charities that help women and children in crisis. So far, he's halfway there.
2008 Marathon
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Hood, who wore No. 1554 in the marathon, describes it as a Brick for Women. The idea comes from the training triathletes call a brick, which consists of a bike ride followed by a short run.
On a drive home from a family visit and a past Little Rock Marathon, Hood thought about all his friends involved in community service and about his daughter, Miranda, and significant other, Patty Chesnick, who does work for Women's Home. They inspired him to try something he wasn't sure he could accomplish.
"We should all find ways to help our communities," said Hood, who took eight days unpaid from work to complete the brick. He said 100% of donations will go directly to the Women's Home of Houston and Women and Children First of Little Rock. The charities will split the money 50/50.
Hood said he'd consider doing a brick every year, though the trek was a true challenge.
One night, miles from his hotel, he describes a point he didn't think he'd make it to Little Rock, let alone the finish line at the marathon the next day. "My daughter pulled up alongside and played this rock and roll song," he said. "It kept me going."
Chesnick and Miranda Hood followed 15-20 miles an hour behind him the entire distance. "They did the hard work," he said.
Sunday's run marked Hood's third Little Rock Marathon. He finished just behind former Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2006.
This was his seventh marathon of the season. Since 1999, he's completed 17 marathons, five MS-150s, four Hotter-n-Hell 100s, a 50-mile ultra marathon and an Ironman triathlon, according to Hood's Web site, www.brickforwomen.com.
Though he was ready to tackle the run, riding that far on a bike left Hood sore and weak.
"My butt and I are no longer on speaking terms," he said.