Running

Me?  Run 13.1 Miles?  You're joking....right?

I love all forms of exercise, especially when it involves kicking a ball, being in the water, swinging a racquet, or going down a snow-covered mountain as fast as I can.

However, when it comes to just running.. I could think of 253,623,641 things I would rather be doing.  I get bored after doing the same thing after about 5 minutes.  I hate seeing the wear and tear on everyone's joints after they have been a runner for many years.  I think everyone is crazy who spends hours of their valuable time running, and here I am saying "yes" to my friend Lindsay when she asks me if I want her spot in my hometown's half marathon.

I will be the first to admit that I never, ever run.  The farthest I have ever ran is a 5k, and the last time I did that was last December.  I was in track in high school, but I was a sprinter and a jumper, NOT a distance runner! I am the person that goes and watches the race (and everyone fainting.. defecating on themselves.. puking..omg what did I get myself into?!) and celebrates (hard) after.

On the bright side, we do get a goody bag.  It's no Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco where they hand out Tiffany's necklaces to the finishers, but I would rather have the support and motivation from everyone I know in my hometown than bling any day.

June 18, 2011.  68 days to train for the big day.  I wish I would have known more in advance, but she asked me just in time for me to be able to train appropriately and not just wing it.  At first I was hesitant, but then I figured, if I can make myself focus on this and really train as hard as I can, and accomplish a goal that I have had haunting me for the past few years, that is actually on my bucket list, and then I can apply that dedication to other aspects of my life.  Luckily, my roommates are also preparing for a half in June, so now I will have people to guide and push me for most of my training.

Ok, I have to say.. looking over the maps, reading the history, and just talking about it is making me a little excited.  Hopefully by the end of this journey I will actually love running instead of loathing it!  If not, at least I will have accomplished an item on my bucket list, will have learned a lot, and can be a better person and trainer.

I will be posting updates on my blog of my journey, I apologize in advance if they are all not positive and upbeat, but I will try my best to keep you entertained while I am going through my own personal hell.  

If you have any tips, advice, comments, PLEASE let me know!! 

I may know a lot about the body, exercise, nutrition, and motivation.  But I am pretty much clueless when it comes to running half marathons.  I could probably figure it out on my own, but I know that I learn the best from experience, so I would love to hear what people who have gone through this have to tell me (and other new half marathon runners!).

Thank you!