HOWDY

Well hello out there! Instead of updating my facebook/twitter everyday with boring accounts of my running progress, I thought I would create a blog that way if you want to really know how my training is going you can follow this blog. Otherwise, you won't be annoyed with interwebs updates :)

For those of you who don't know I ran a relay leg of the Kansas City Marathon about two and a half weeks ago and was able to see some amazing athletes at the finish line of the marathon. I was inspired. I was blown away by the endurance and training necessary to complete such a task. I decided that I wanted to train. Not just to finish a large and oftentimes unattainable feat, but because training for marathons and half marathons forces the individual to commit to a goal and each day to work towards that goal. As I approach the end of my masters program (sort of), I can't imagine a better time to work on commitment, productivity, and prayer. All of which (I believe) will come in handy and be absolutely necessary to finishing both my thesis and completing the half marathon in February.

I registered last week for the Huntington Beach Half Marathon. The race takes place on Super Bowl Sunday, starts nearby the pier and takes me 13.2 miles around the Huntington area right next to the beach. The race is extremely flat with the steepest incline for 3/4 of a mile at 6%. I'm super duper excited for this!

Last week I ran 9 miles with a long run of 3 miles. So far this week I've run 4 miles, will run 3 tomorrow, rest Friday, and randomly I decided to register for a Halloween 5k here in Kansas City on Saturday. So that will be a total of 10 miles! PS I need ideas for a costume to run in on Saturday. They really want everyone in costumes of some kind, but I'm having trouble thinking about what to choose so that I don't have problems running in say, a huge pumpkin outfit.

I'm relatively new at running, so if you notice anything that you have opinions about or would like to share any tips, please feel free to leave a comment. I am following an online training program provided with my race registration.