26.2 Reasons to run a marathon

This list was given to me by a dear friend when she found out that I was running my first marathon and I thought that I would share it with all of you!

26.2 Reasons to Run a Marathon

1. Because you've been eyeing a piece of apple pie and you need to
burn the calories.

2. To escape the flock of birds chasing you...in your mind :)

3. To show off your new shoes.

4. To chase the good looking Kenyans in front of you.

5. Check it off your bucket list.

6. Because you can.

7. Because a 10K is now a "short run."

8. Because a 1/2 marathon is a warm-up.

9. So you can carbo load.

10. Because who needs "free time."

11. Because your legs look good in shorts.

12. To get on TV.

13. So you can have a guaranteed PR.

14. Because the sound of cowbells in the morning make you giddy.

15. Because there is nothing better to do at 5am.

16. Because running a 100 miler seemed excessive.

17. So you can drink Stormy Nights.

18. Because eating the negative calories in celery has lost its
exercise appeal.

19. Because the KRRC Kenyan hasn't run one.

20. Because the Teachinator is indestructible.

21. So you can tell me what NOT to do :)

22. Because you didn't have weekend plans.

23. To celebrate your journey.

24. Because if Oprah can do it...you can do it.

25. To inspire all those that think they can't.

26. To make 45,000 new friends.

.2 BECAUSE IT'S BIG FUN!! :)

Lately

Wow!!!  What an amazing few weeks it has been. I have been training hard and working my booty off!! I Ran the Glad Fest 5k and was finally able to PR in a 10k!!! It is an amazing feeling to see my hard work pay off. The time clock shows it every time I cross that finish line! 3rd Place in my age division!

Training for the marathon is an indescribable experience. Moments of it are so easy and others are painful. I am so unbelievably thankful to the countless people that are continually cheering me on! My friends, my family, and even complete strangers! I am running countless miles a week and at times I want to quit....but I can't and won't. I am doing this not only for myself but for a little girl that means the world to me. I am running this race for a cause that is much bigger than I am.

It is so hard to understand how my 18 mile run last week was not "easy" but, it was a solid good run. Today, I ran 13 and I wanted to cry and quit at mile 10. I know that running is as much mental as it is physical and I am trying really hard to remember that. I have had so many milestones recently....I can say that I have run 18 miles!!!!! I am doing things that I never even knew were possible!