Insanity is Bliss. . . .

So I think I'm insane. I'm rather bold in that statement, yet very on par in the logistics of it. I am insane. I am going to run in the Salt Lake City Half Marathon April 16th 2011. I am 31 years old and currently 208 lbs by my gym scale. (A scale I am rather upset at, at the moment.)I started running April of 2010 and completed my first 10k in October rather miserably. So why do I think I can run 13.1 miles in three months??? Like I said, I'm insane.

I currently run a good mile at 13 minutes or so and a poor one at around 17 minutes. I am slower than snot, have a genetic heart condition and have aerobic induced asthma to boot. Right now I can run three miles fairly well and still have energy for a weight routine afterwards. However, it can take me close to 45 mins to complete those few miles. I just can't seem to get my fat German legs to move any faster. However, the point to this journey is not to place, but to finish. This is how I plan on finishing:

As of January 15th, I will be a part of the Salt Lake Running Co.'s 1/2 Marathon training group. That's right, I will be paying someone to make me run out in the cold amongst a large number of better runners. Needless to say, I'm betting on holding up the rear for most of those runs. I'll be happy to be back there under the cover of, "that way no one can see my behind giggle".

In the effort of me not chickening out, I've decided to start a blog in hopes that public humiliation will keep me from doing so. Also to let those ladies out there who need that little extra support know, I started out at around 250 lbs last April. I have run almost 50 lbs off my body. So if I can do this, so can you!

I am not an athlete. I never have been. I have always been the funny fat one in the group and as much as I love being funny, I don't love being fat. So this is my personal goal - Not only will I complete the 1/2 Marathon, but I will weigh in at 180 lbs., the weight I was 13.1 years ago. (See how I made it all come full circle? I love that in writing.)

And now it is up to you, dear readers, to keep me going. So if you see me running, honk your horns. If you notice my posts or lack there of, kick me in my giggly behind and get me back in gear. If you have any sort of helpful tips or comments, by all means, please share. Let's get the conversation rolling and cheer me on across the finish line.

Thank you to all those who already cheer me on. You have no idea what it means to me.