Terrified Tuesday

OK!!! So I may have just made the most insane decision/commitment of my life! I WILL run the St. Jude Half Marathon (or I will die trying ha). Last year, most of my college best friends trained for and ran this race. It was their first half marathon ever and I got to thinking, "if they can run a half marathon then so can I."

Having never run a day in my life, I started running on January 1, 2010. (Yes, this is when it was in the teens most days and the coldest winter of my life) On January 23, 2010 I attempted my first 5k (3.1 miles) at the Lisa Lassandrello 5k in Memphis. I have attended this race for the past 4 years (walking in the back with Mallory, of course), but this was my first attempt to run it. After only 3 weeks of running, I miraculously was able to finish and I believe my time was around 38 minutes (not very good at all). But Kate and Jimbo were at the end being the best cheerleaders, so I had to smile even though I thought I was about to die... literally. And that's where all of this started.

Liz, Katie, Jimbo, Me, Mallory

The 5k we attend each year is in honor of our friends Kate and Jamie's mother Lisa Lassandrello, who lost her battle with cancer when we were in college. In the picture with us is their dad Jim Lassandrello aka Jimbo aka Coach Lass. What an awesome, awesome family!



Me, Mallory, Katie, Liz and Leslie after the race.

Liz won 1st place for her age group!!

After I ran my first 5k, I started the "Couch to 5k" program on my ipod, instead of running aimlessly around the neighborhood with no clue as to what I was supposed to be doing. In February, Krista and I ran the Southgroup 5k on County Line Road, benefiting Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital. At this point, I had improved my time down to around the 35 minute mark, I believe (still not very good at all).

Me, Kaitlyn and Krista
Kaitlyn ran the 1 mile Fun Run!

By April 18, I was up to 4 miles at a time of 41 minutes and 13 seconds. Then it started to get hot outside.... and by hot, I mean HOTT!! So, of course, I slacked off a little bit and started doing the ZUMBA videos INSIDE ha! (They are awesome for those of you who like to dance and do more of a cardio type workout)

So, at this point, I have not run since July 19 and that day I only ran 2.5 miles bc of the heat. I can't handle it, so I have ALOT of work to do. If anyone has any tips for running in the heat, please let me know. Prayers are much needed.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

PHILIPPIANS 4:13

HERE IS MY MOTIVATION!!
IF ALL OF MY FRIENDS CAN DO IT, SO CAN I!!

Liz, Katie, Leslie, Kate and Evie before the St. Jude Half Marathon in December 2009!

Evie, Kate, Katie and Kaylis after the St. Jude Half Marathon in 2009.

Liz, Evie, Kate and Katie wearing their medals out for the night to celebrate!

SO... LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS ME SAYING "I WILL RUN THE ST. JUDE HALF MARATHON IN MEMPHIS ON DECEMBER 4, 2010." I will keep ya'll up to date with a blog conveniently titled "Marathon Mondays." I have a feeling this is not going to be a smooth, pretty process, so this has the potential to be very entertaining.

P.S. KENDOL AND KRISTA HAVE AGREED TO DO THIS WITH ME, AS WELL! LET THE TRAINING BEGIN. (on the hottest day of the year... it's only 105 outside... shoot me now)

123 Days and Counting

DANG IT... IS IT TOO LATE TO BACK OUT??