Wednesday, April 29, 2009

I'm not joking . . .

when I say I'm jumping on a plane tomorrow morning and heading to Oregon to run my first half marathon WITHOUT any training whatsoever. Seriously people, what am I thinking?? Hmmm, something like, "you'll be that idiot collapsing at the finish line after everyone has already gone home and it's dark!"

Here's the story: I have known about the marathon for months, but as luck would have it, illness hit the week I began training back at the beginning of March and I was stuck with various lame lung and allergy related symtoms until yesterday - great. I ran a couple miles today and felt good, so I'm crossing my fingers that seven times that amount will be just as pleasant ;-). I couldn't be more excited taking off for a long weekend to visit my sister Jenna and her little family in Corvallis, OR . . . no kids, no responsiblities, no phone calls, no driving, nada. Chris will be taking over the kids' activity and social calendar for a few days - what a guy!

Now I'm off on my adventure and hoping that between the lower altitude, the moist air, the pressure to stay up with my sister, and some unbelievable positive "I can do this" thinking, I will at least finish the race. I consider myself a person who runs to stay in shape once or twice a week for a few miles, but 13 miles - never. I think the greatest distance I've ever run at one time was 6 or 7 miles. So, in the spirit of challenging myself to something new, exciting, and probably incredibly painful . . . here goes! Wish me luck :-).

4 comments:

Michelle said...

Good luck Julie! If anyone can finish it on nothing but a positive attitude, it's you!

Marti said...

Wow, good luck! Crazy (but in a good way). :)

Kathryn said...

Wow Julie - I will say you are crazy! The most I've ever run was almost 10 miles. I am doing a half marathon in November - will hopefully start training in Sept. for it. I say your lungs will be fine - the legs will probably be screaming for mercy. Good luck and have fun! I am actually very jealous!

Kristi said...

You can do it! Enjoy & good luck!