Talk me down

I have been anxiously awaiting the start of my half marathon training for several weeks. I'm looking forward to the focus that comes with having a specific plan to follow and goal to achieve. I've chosen my training plan, set my goal (1:55:00) and thought through various details from training routes and cross training options to shoes and clothing to nutrition and hydration. I started my training on Monday, March 7th and will run the Stillwater Half Marathon on Sunday, May 29th. Bring it on!

Now for the 'talk me down' portion of this post. In my pre-training, and now in-training, excitement I've been spending a disproportionately large amount of time consuming running related information. Training, charitable fundraising, run clubs, gear reviews - if the word 'run' can be found anywhere on the site or in the book or magazine I have probably been there, read that. And in the midst of it all I've been bit - by the marathon bug.  And now, I am seriously contemplating running a marathon this fall.

WHAT!?!?  I honestly can't believe I just wrote that.  I really can't believe I actually published this post after I wrote that (this post has been sitting in 'draft' mode for over a week).  In fact, just a few weeks ago - on January 29th to be exact - I reaffirmed my lack of desire to run a marathon in a conversation with a friend.  I believe I said something like "I really have NO DESIRE to EVER run a marathon.".  This comment was followed by a short dissertation explaining the plethora of reasons why I shouldn't/couldn't/wouldn't run a marathon.  There is a seriously long list of reasons - here are just a few:

• I don't really think my body was built to run a marathon.
• It is incredibly difficult and takes an insane amount of time to train for a marathon.
• It's actually bad for your body to run 26.2 miles.
• My summer would be dominated by running leaving little time for other activities that I also enjoy.
• The entry fees for marathons are outrageous.

Not to mention that after I ran my first half marathon I completely stopped running for an entire month - this is basically the opposite of starting up a marathon training program.

So help me out.  Talk me down.  Hit me with your best shot.  Knock some sense into me.  I am not looking for encouragement - I am looking for the brutal, honest truth.  And know that if you are unsuccessful in your efforts I will hold you completely partially responsible when my bloodied, beaten, broken body collapses in exhaustion - after crossing the finish line, of course.

My Mom

Today is a very special day for a very special person in my life.  Today is my mom's birthday.  I am blessed to have many strong, confident women in my life but none of them have influenced me as much as my mom.  It's hard to put into words my love for her, my appreciation for all that she is and all she has done for me and the profound impact she has had (and continues to have) on the person I am today - but I'll try.

When I grow up I want to be my mom. 

She is strong and wise - she lives and loves with her whole heart.  She finds joy in the small things of life - a smile from her granddaughter, a bike ride with friends, a good book.  She is fiercely committed to her family - head over heals in love with her husband, sacrificing much to give to her daughters,  providing in every way for those closest to her.  She has never failed me.

She is the reason I am confident in my ability to accomplish whatever I set out to achieve.  She is the reason I wake up everyday expecting good things.  I'm certain that everything good in me can be tied back to her in some way.  She is - in many ways - the reason I am.   

She taught me that it's good - a privilege in fact - to serve my husband.  She taught me to love to read.  She taught me how to be best friends with my sister.  She taught me that life wont always be easy but it will always be worth it. 

There is so much more that I could share - so much I have left out - so much I've chosen to keep for myself.  I hope and pray that you have a mom that's as great as mine and I encourage you to tell her how great you think she is.

Happy Birthday Mom!  I think you're really great.