Q & A

Here are a few questions I've been asked since deciding to run a marathon:

1. How often do you run?
It's actually quite simple - Uh ... never. I never run. Well, not in the "traditional" sense.

2. When was the last time you ran?
I ran a couple of weeks ago at work. By "ran" I mean that I chased 4 year-old children around a table while they pretended to be a gingerbread man, and, yes, I consider that running.

3. Why didn't you start with a 5K?
Oh, that would have been a good idea.

4. Where you are you going to run when it's snowing?
Those are going to be my "resting" days. Because I know that's not a good idea, I definitely have to look into this. Quite frankly, I have no idea.

5. Do you know how many miles a marathon is?
Well, I do now.

6. Who is going to be your training partner?
That would be Adam. I know, isn't he a great husband? (It's probably best if I don't go into detail how this came about - he thinks he was "tricked").

7. Did you think this through?
Yeah ... not really. At least, it's for a good cause.

Before running a marathon, do your research

I decided that if I'm going to run a marathon, then it would probably be quite wise to research more details about a marathon. By "research" I actually mean that I googled "Things to know before running a marathon." This is what I've learned: I am, in absolutely no way, prepared to run a marathon. Granted, I have until October, but I'm pretty positive that the first step in preparing for a marathon should be that I'm not terrified to read about a marathon. I'm not going to lie. Terrified is an understatement.

According to William Milton, here are 5 things to know before running a marathon:
1. "People can seriously damage their health by underestimating the challenge"
Well, the good news is that I'm definitely not "underestimating the challenge." Guess I'm more prepared than I thought.
2. "McDonalds and their likes need to be shelved for the duration of training and your intake of fruits and vegetables needs to increase dramatically"
This could be a bit of a problem seeing as how I have a McDonalds budget for my morning breakfast. However, I believe I can work around this one, especially since I don't order the breakfast sandwiches (I get the fruit and yogurt parfaits along with a coffee - splenda and two creamers). Considering that the parfait contains fruit, it looks like I continue to be more prepared than I initially thought. I'm beginning to forget why I was afraid of this marathon in the first place.
3. "Think carefully about what you will wear that day"
I can check this one off the list immediately. I'm already thinking about what I'll wear (so far, my vote is for something pink).
4. "Start slowly"
Um, how else would I start?
5. "After the race, as soon as you feel like eating, begin with small amounts of easily digestible food that you know will agree with your stomach"
The only problem I'm having with this statement is the "small amounts." Luckily for me, everything agrees with my stomach.

Okay, so maybe running a marathon isn't as bad as I thought or maybe I should do some more research ...

What have I gotten myself into?

A little over a week ago, I posted the following status on my facebook page:

"With 8 days until Christmas, I'd like to propose an idea to my friends. If I can get 26 of my friends to volunteer to donate enough food to feed a family of 4 to a local food shelter, I will train and run the Kansas City marathon. If you know me, you know I don't run, not even when I'm being chased. Let's make this holiday better for 26 families in need."

I am absolutely humbled by my very generous friends and family members. Thanks to Amy H., Kacy, Jennifer, Kurt, Patti (donated for 2 families), Mrs. Mel, Kim, Cassie, Kellie, Darcy, Cheryl, Michelle (donated for 2 families), Sissy, Angi, Katie, Amy R., Caleb, Alysia, Tom, Brad, Curtis, Erica, Tania, and Adam, I am running a marathon.

So, the journey begins. I am feeling absolutely every emotion imaginable...mainly fear. My horrific physical education memories are coming back to me. Running ... really? Why did I choose running? Why not volunteer 4o hours at a nursing home reading to sweet, 90-year-old ladies? I like to read and I like old ladies. That definitely would have been fun. So, I'm not very bright. Perhaps before I posed this idea, I should have tried running, even a run around the block. Needless to say, this is going to be quite the adventure. Hence, the blog, "Marena's Adventures." I'll use this blog to post updates on my marathon training, which begins January 1st (I'm going to buy shoes) and I'll post about other adventures that come along my way. If anything, 26 families benefited and I'm going to get some great stories out of this (and some new shoes).