I'm going to do it....

Last night, Caroline and I were discussing the running/walking group of teachers that get together every afternoon after school at Riverdale Elementary. I wanted to join their group, but unfortunately due to boot camp and school obligations I can only go a couple days a week. However, I wanted to attempt to join and I think that I am going to try and make it happen (even if it is only a few days a week).

As we were discussing the running group, different races were mentioned; one of which was the Disney Princess Half Marathon. I have NEVER in my life run an entire 5K much less a half marathon, but the idea was intriguing.

I started to look into the race because my initial concern was that I would not be able to keep pace. What I discovered however was the fact that you have to keep a minimum pace of 16 minutes per mile. At first I was intimidated because I was unsure of the pace, but I remembered that we walked a little less than a 5K last year at the Rolex 24 Hours in approximately 54 minutes. Based on my calculations (for what they are worth) we walked an average of 18 to 20 minutes per mile. During that walk we were walking all the way up the side of the track, talking, and taking pictures. There was nothing remotely brisk about our walking that day. Upon that realization, I started to seriously consider registering for the race.

In my current round and somewhat unfit shape, asking me to do a 16 minute mile pace may be stretching it just a tad, especially when we are talking about 13 miles. However... Boot Camp starts a week from today and will be going through most of December. If I'm really going to do this boot camp and succeed, having a goal beyond December wouldn't be a bad idea. It would force me to maintain and continue the habits I will hopefully form over the next 3 months and it will be an amazing accomplishment for someone who is not aerodynamically sound.

I have already clocked out one mile in my neighborhood that I can use for training purposes and conveniently it starts out of my front door and goes to the guest entrance gate of our subdivision. (Convenience in measuring makes the math impaired very thankful.) I also have discovered that several of my female friends will be joining me at the race so I will be surrounded by good people and a ton of support.

So... after much deliberation, I have decided that I'm going to do it.... I'm going to do the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Heaven help me....