Training is ON!

As I might have mentioned in another post (I'm pretty sure I did, anyway), I, along with two of my fellow running friends, Dawn and Maria, have registered for a half marathon in Nashville in April. I am so excited about the weekend away with just us girls (Priscilla and Rebecca are probably and hopefully going, too). We have big plans to enjoy Nashville for a few days while we are there. 


But, until we get there, I have a lot to do to get ready. For those of you who are not runners and don't keep up with how long a half marathon is, I have to be prepared to run 13.1 miles. 


I have to say, when I started my training for a 5K last summer, I never REALLY thought I'd get to a point where I thought I might actually be able to do a half marathon. I remember driving places (like to pick up Bailey from her preschool across town) and watching the odometer in my car. I remember measuring how far a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon would be. Then, I remember thinking, "There is no way I could ever run that far," or "Why the hell would anyone want to run that far?" 


:) 


I still don't know why I want to do it, really. I would probably say because I want to see if I can. Or maybe it's an egocentric thing... where I want to see if I am good enough to do it. It could also be a little bit of a competitive thing - if others can do it, I can, too. 


No. I don't really think it's any of those things. While all of them are probably there in some capacity, the real reason I want to do it is because I really enjoy running. I love to go out and run and clear my head. I love to feel exhausted afterward, like I really did something. I love the way it makes me feel stronger. I love feeling healthy and young, even if my legs feel really old on some mornings after I run. :) I love that it's brought me new friends and that my kids see that I can actually do something more than cook for them. I love that I have found something I am incredibly addicted to... and that something is a good thing and not a bad thing like Diet Mt. Dew. :)


So, that's why I am doing this... I think. 


And, because I love to share my training...
And I just know that you guys are the reason that I have stuck with this... 
And because Maria and Dawn invited me to join the www.dailymile.com... 
And because Dawn is sharing her training through her blog and recommended I do that too... 
And all that... 


I have added a widget on my page that shows my training status. Feel free to watch it and read it and to send me notes to tell me to suck it up when I'm being whiny or to remind me to run when I'm slacking. :) 


I would totally appreciate it. 


And, pray I don't collapse and die in Nashville in April. I really want to finish it... without walking, if possible, and in a decent time. 


Thank you all... for tolerating me. :) I love you for it! Truly.