The Good Life

I’m a goal-setting type of gal. My latest? A marathon. I've wanted to run one since I watched my dad accomplish the seemingly impossible feat somewhere circa 2000. Now that I live in New York, a city very proud of its own 26.2 mile course, I’m even more motivated to complete the challenge. I'm in love with the idea of a marathon -- the self-discipline of training, the relationship you build with your body, and the badge of honor of crossing the finish line. I started training about 8 weeks ago. My last long run was 12 miles. Next week -- 14. The night before a run I get a knot in my stomach that I won’t be able to make it. But, each time the hypnotic sound of my feet against the pavement clears my head and reminds me what I love about running. Most people don’t understand why anyone would want to run a marathon.

I run...

because I don’t have a runner's body.
because it makes me appreciate dawn.
because it makes me like my legs.
because it’s hard.
so I can drink beer and eat French toast afterward.
because if I can make it through 26.2 miles, everything else will seem easy.