It's official!

It's happening. The hotel is booked, the race has been registered for and I'm going, trained or not!

I'm a little worried about my severe lack of training, but I'm almost positive that this won't kill me. Worst case scenario, I finish this thing at a brisk waddle.

My mantra, by Jake the Dog.

The important thing is to get started. If I wait until I feel 100% confident and comfortable, I'll be waiting a long time. Plus, isn't part of the adventure about leaving your comfort zone?

So for the next week, I'll train as much as I can, drink my orange juice, and think calming thoughts. I know this is a short entry, but AHHHHH IT'S HAPPENING!

Couch Potato to 5k

I've been a little sickly the last few days, so I haven't been to the gym in a while. I think I'm allergic to the cold. Im hoping to start training this week using the Couch to 5k training plan. I used this when I started training for the Tinkerbell Half, and it's honestly murder. But it does get better! It's basically three thirty minute runs a week for nine weeks where you alternate between running and walking. For each workout, you run a little longer and it gets easier. By the end, you're running for 30 minutes straight and completing a 5k!

I prefer doing the Treadmill version. I know, I know. "But you're not pulling your weight forward." "It's going to be harder when you actually have to run outside." "So that's why you're so pale." I just really prefer the treadmill. Partly because I can use the gym's wifi to watch Netflix, but mostly because it's easier to tell how fast I'm going, how far I'm going, and how much time I have until the next running or walking stage.

I'm still debating the Salt Lake City run. On the one hand, I have almost no time to train. On the other hand, whenever I start debating it, my lady of Lourde comes on.

                                  It's not blasphemy if she has the voice of an angel.

I think I'm going to take my chances for the sake of adventure. The location of this race is perfect (because The Man says I'm too young to rent a car) and the last time I visited SLC was as a tiny child. I vaguely remember almost dying of heat stroke in 190 degree heat and visiting the actual salt lake, which was covered in tiny black flies. I'm due for a do-over, basically. I hope I can get some training in soon!

The Avengers Initiative

Maybe this is old news, but this just popped up on my Facebook feed. Run Disney has just announced the  Avengers Half Marathon November 16th, 2014 in Disneyland. They're offering a 5k and a few kids races that weekend too. Registration opens March 25th, and I'm debating signing up. I'm glad Run Disney is starting to offer more races for us in California! Plus, I get to reuse my Thor outfit!

I may need to find new shoes.

In more immediate news, I think I have decided on my first 5k. Wooooooo! The Leprechaun Lope is March 15th in Salt Lake City and it will be benefitting Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School.

 I found this race through Running in the USA which has a handy state searching tool. I'm assuming because it's listed up there it is open to the public and it won't just be me running with a bunch of school children.

Salt Lake City looks gorgeous and I can't wait to start planning my trip!

155k

I am not a runner.

I'm not the kind of person who "can't get their day started without their morning run."

aaaaaand I'm going to take a nap.

But I do love 1) travelling, 2) writing 3) t-shirts, and 4) medals.

Like this.

Most of all though, I love to challenge myself. I ran the Tinkerbell Half Marathon in January 2013, and did pretty okay. I finished in under three hours, beating my original goal of not dropping dead on the course. Run Disney has a lot of helpful tips and training schedules for people, like me, who have no idea what they're doing. It was such a fun experience that I want to get back in shape and try for the Coast To Coast Challenge in 2015, when they move the Tinkerbell race to May.

Since then, I haven't been running much at all. I do go to the gym, but the only race I've done since then was The Sweater Dash. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be, and I had a wake-up call.

Because at this rate, I won't make it to the Cornucopia.

So in order to get back in shape, see the world, and live a healthier life, I intend to run a 5k in each state. It's combining all of my passions, and at this point in my life my job is flexible enough where it just might work. Also, have you seen how many of these races try to give you food?!

I might actually win this one. 

I'm hoping to start in March once the weather calms itself down and flights become more stable. I guess it's time to hit the gym!

Please let it be Cupcake Wars.