25 days and counting...

For those of you who do not know, I have been coerced into training for a 1/2 marathon by some overachieving church girls looking to lose the baby bulge. Trust me, this was really against my will AND better judgment. At any rate, we have been training for what seems like an eternity (even though I needed an eternity), and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Only 25 more days which really equates to 2 big Saturday runs (9 & 11 miles), and a few small ones in between (mind you, small now means 5-7 miles...OY). It is hard to believe that the day is fast-approaching. When I think that at the beginning we could only make it a few paces around our 1 mile lake loop, I really start to feel proud. Yes, i said it, proud. Thinking of crossing that finish line really brings a tear to my eye. Granted, i am no 3 time cancer survivor, or a war veteran racing with one leg, or even a single mother of 4 who had to train with a triple stroller, in the snow, after a 60 hour work week, but by golly...I am an inherently "take the easy way out" kind of unmotivated gal who has swapped bon bons and Opera for an invigorating morning run to reach my goal...AND I WILL FINISH! I just want to give a shout out to my ladies, Amy and Kelly, and to my supportive hubby who babysits two babies every Saturday morning and tells me I look skinny even though I have not lost a single solitary pound. Couldn't have done it without you guys! So I leave you with a few tidbits of wisdom I think you should know about running:

1. When your toenails turn black, you might as well kiss them goodbye.

2. Don't eat 7 chocolate chip cookies before a big run unless you want to experience the "runner's trots".

3. Pick a running partner who won't pass judgment when you have to pass gas (cause don't think it doesn't happen)!

4. Reconsider running if you have to take a baby stroller up hills.

5. Don't wear short shorts when your inner thigh looks like mine. one word - Chafing.

6. Make your friend Amy carry your water bottle.

7. Don't expect that running a million miles = losing a million pounds (or one for that matter)

8. And please, please, please, don't think that it ever gets EASY! Because that must be a bunch of malarky!