Why?

As I lay in bed last night, nursing my sore legs, I began to question myself and my motives...why in the world am I doing this? So, I woke up this morning after thinking about that question (and dreaming about it...I had a wonderful running dream where it was a breeze...) and thought I'd blog real quick and put down my reasons why so, whenever I get discouraged or frustrated or thinking I can't do it, I can look back and remember why I'm doing it and hopefully that will push me through the hard times ('cause we all know there will be hard times!)

1. I have wanted to run a marathon since I was in college; I really didn't have time to devote and train for it then and there is no better time than the present.

2. I want to prove to myself that I can do it...I've "started training" for half marathons more times than I can count and always give up, I want to believe in myself and prove that I can do this!

3. The new leg muscles are definitely a plus :)

4. I think this is the most important but I want to do this because I need a "thing". It is so much more than it sounds but, right now, I'm finding myself in a point in my life where I wake up, attend to my step daughter, go to work, come home, spend time w/the husband eat, watch tv and sleep (now, there is nothing wrong with that life, I LOVE my life and my husband and my step daughter and wouldn't trade that for the world). However, there is no real "April time". We all need that time to do something that we love and devote time to being our real self...and spend a little time each day focusing on ourselves. Whether that be meditating, yoga, reading, knitting, fixing your car or whatever, one needs time to really have some inner reflection, those are the times that you define yourself, that you realize what's valuable in life and that make the rest of life meaningful. To me, that time is running, when I run, I can think about the day, wonder what tomorrow is going to be like, contemplate the meaning of it all...you know! Anyway, I need that time.

5. Finally, I just need something active and somewhat competitive. As I've said, I found that post-high school, working out became a challenge because I was no longer doing organized sports. In college, it was easy because I was in Navy ROTC and also lived in San Diego...staying in shape really wasn't an option :) I guess I always considered (well, still do consider) myself an athlete but then, I moved to VA where the in shape population isn't as staggering as San Diego and I found myself busy and realizing the gym wasn't all that fun. That, plus the first year of marriage syndrome brought me to a place - physically in both a vain and health realated way- that I'm not happy with. Basically, I let myself go a little....now, it's time to get myself back!

6. I'm going to look into Team in Training for this marathon...there is an informational meeting in P-town next week that I'm going to attend. Currently, I work in the non-profit sector (today is my last day) and I'm jumping into the corporate world so I'd really like to be able to give back in some way since I won't be doing so at work....no better way than combining two things I love, right? Team in Training will be motivation in and of itself...

So, that's my why...it's more reasons than I originally thought so now, I really have no excuses!