WHY?!?!

Since announcing my decision to join Team In Training and run a half marathon one resounding question I've heard is:
     "Why in the world are you doing this? Have you lost your mind?"

Let me assure you that most of my mind is still intact.  I've had no recent blows to the head.  There are a lot of reasons why I'm doing this.  I recently got a new tattoo on my foot.  A sweet little sea turtle emerging from his shell.  He's awesome. Sheldon. I wanted a sea turtle and wracked my brain about what position he should be in.  When it hit me, he should be hatching from his leathery shell.  I loved the idea of a "new beginning".  The whole world lay in front of Sheldon, and I know he's going to do fabulous things.  Plus lets face it, baby sea turtles are darn cute!

I wanted to incorporate some of the new beginnings into my own life.  I'd heard about Team In Training before but when I heard about the commitment to train and fund-raise I quickly poo poo'd the idea..."whoa, that is not ME! I'm not a runner, or an athlete.  I'm a couch potato! And I don't have the nerve to fund-raise the kind of money TNT requires!" 

Then I looked down at Sheldon. I swear he looked back at me with a smirk saying "New beginnings eh? Put up or shut up!"  So I decided to change the way I think of myself.  Now I know what you may be thinking.

"She's taking advice from her foot! Poor Steve, how is he managing to care for her." 

I've listened to my heart, my head, my gut and by golly, when the left foot sends you a message, don't be afraid to listen!  I've changed the way I'm thinking of myself. I can make a positive change for my health. I can be an athlete. I can run.  And I can even fund-raise!  So far I've been amazed at how easy the commitment has been to keep.  I'm working hard to follow my training calendar.  I've been amazed at the generosity of my family and friends.  I've received an outpouring of donations and support and am grateful for it all.  I even received some great advice from a long time friend. "You know your're going to have to train for that."  I thank you for all the encouragement, donations, cheerleading, and even for stating the obvious....I will train for that.

I'm excited because I think the next few months will be a great test for me.  I'm hoping to take the good, bad, and ugly to become a better me.  Sheldon and have are off to a great start!