I have officially lost my mind

My cousin Alyson and I at the Olesak Half Marathon, Westfield, MA, April 2012.  If you look quick, you'd mistake us for Olympic marathoners.  Kickin' it with style as always.  And that picture may or may not have been taken right before Alyson told me she really hated me for convincing her that running a half marathon was good idea.  No joke, girl was serious.

 

The boy knows how to push my buttons.  I think he knew all along if he kept at it…subtle hints here…constant Marathon Training Academy podcasts there…he would get to me.

 

My rational side still doesn’t think it’s possible.  But the emotional side, the side that kicks in when I get my runner’s high at about mile 5 of a long run, that side of me just imagines what it will be like to cross the finish line on mile 26, that side is all in.  Of course that side doesn’t think about what’s going to happen in miles 6-25.  But the two sides are starting to meet in the middle and find some common ground.  The 14 mile run in August was a huge boost to my confidence…with six more months of training, I just might be able to pull it off.

 

And then…the offer.  Just a little something to push me over the edge.  Let’s not do just any ol’ race.  Let’s pick one somewhere I would like to go…right near all of my favorite chocolate shops.  I’ve wanted to go back and explore Biltmore since we went two January’s ago.  We didn't get the chance in July since the weather turned rainy on us the day after we arrived in Asheville, prompting an early return home. We’ve seen the house but there’s other places on the grounds to poke our heads into. And I always thought the grounds would be such a great place to go for a nice long run.  And WOW, look at how beautiful that hotel is, right on the grounds.  You know what happened next…

 

Ted and I are registered for the Asheville Marathon on Biltmore Estate in March.  And once our race spots were secure, we immediately booked our rooms at the Inn at Biltmore Estate.  I have officially lost my mind.  Ok, in all seriousness…I know full well I’ve got some serious training in front of me.  I also know that I need to plan for a run/walk scenario for this race and train for it.  But my legs are telling me I can do this, that with the proper training and running plan, not only will I finish but I'll be in downtown at my favorite Chocolate Lounge in time for a late lunch/dessert.

 

Stay tuned, the road ahead should be interesting...