Here I Am

So I've decided to be a marathon runner.

This is actually pretty funny if you knew anything about me. I don't exactly have a history of athleticism. When they would make us run the mile in high school, my friends I and I would walk the entire thing, then sneak behind the bleachers and smoke a cigarette. I would make fun of the "jocks" in high school. Who wanted to play sports, be active and stay healthy when you could drink beer, smoke cigarettes, make out with boys, skip school and sleep till 2pm? Not me dude.

But that was then.

Secretly though, I was always kind of fascinated with the idea of running. I used to have dreams that I was running and loving it. It was the one sport I could actually see myself doing and enjoying. Well, except for the whole smoking thing.
Fast forward about 15 years and here I am. 30 years old and getting ready to start training for my first half-marathon. See, I ended up marrying a jock. My husband Jeremy just completed his first marathon in January and watching him train and finish was one of the most inspiring things I have ever witnessed. And let's be honest, when you are standing there, watching all those marathon runners cross the finish line crying, laughing, bleeding, puking, something sick and twisted inside of you wants to sign up on the spot.

So here's the deal. I actually started running about 4 or 5 years ago. I started running pretty much treadmill only runs and finally became an outdoor runner just this year. I have run three 5k raced since then, the latest being the San Francisco Marathon 5k (while my husband was doing the half), which was also my best time (29.43). I've never really run more than 4 miles outside and 6 miles on a treadmill and I freak myself out about adding more miles. I'm starting with a half because I'm realistic, but also because I think it is a good distance for someone who has recently quit smoking. (Yay me!)
So here are my long-term goals that I am putting into writing for the very first time and publishing online so that I have witnesses who will make me stick to this.

1. Run the 2007 ING Miami Half Marathon in January
2. Run the Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon in February
3. Run random races throughout the year to keep me on track (5K's, 10K's and maybe another half)
4. Train for and finish the Miami Marathon in January 2008

For now, though I will focus on the half in January, which for me now, may as well be a marathon. I start my official training with Foot Works in Miami at the end of September, but for now my friend Mercy (who is doing the half for the first time as well) and I are going to keep up with our regular running routine and try to add some miles to me.
Wish me luck!