marathon ~ I have never been a runner

In early January I made the verbal commitment to my best friends that I would participate in a silly marathon. At the time I didn't believe that I would follow through (we were drinking wine) and it was easier to agree to do it rather than argue about not doing it. The motive was clear. My best friends and I are all turning 30 this year. Training for and going through with the 26.2 miles was a small way for us to cling to and maybe even preserve our youth. So, I said I would do it, knowing that I would probably back out and make up some excuse for why I couldn't.

But then something happened...

Mid January I started "training." I have never been a runner. At my fittest (2001-2003 hah!) I ran 2-3 miles a couple times a week, always on the treadmill so that I could track my pace, calories and distance. I like to know where I am so I'll know how soon it'll be over. So anyway, I started training and guess what? ...training was FUN. I started slow, really slow. For the first 4 weeks my schedule went from 1.5 miles to 4 miles. By the end of February I was up to 9 miles! Un-be-leev-able! March was rough. We spent a week in Utah and a week in Austin, needless to say my running sched was put on hold. But by the beginning of April I was back and really going for it. I did 16 miles solo on 4/24 (amazing!). Last weekend Melissa and conquered our longest training run, T-W-E-N-T-Y miles, two zero, 20! wow

The marathon is less than 3 weeks away, I cant believe it! It is 19 days from today. I have 11 runs scheduled between now and then. And honestly, I am looking forward to each of them. Having great training partners has made all the difference. I have logged many mile with Anika and Melissa. Looking forward to a run really means I'm looking forward to seeing them.

I'm excited to accomplish this with my friends.
I'm proud for not making an excuse to quit.
I feel healthier and stronger than ever before.
I can't wait to see what I'll accomplish next.

a glimpse of my schedule. I plan and then I modify :D