This isn't exactly new...

I used to run. I used to run a lot. Ten or so years ago I ran. Well, I escaped. It was a way to avoid spending evenings with someone I no longer wanted to spend evenings with. I tucked the kids into bed and I was off! It was effective. It was euphoric. It cleared my head. There was nothing like the smell of dryers exhuding their exhaust of fabric softner sheets. Sunday nights were the best for that...mmmmm I love that smell!

Now I run because I want to...sort of. I run because I thought of a lovely "treat" for myself...a marathon. Maniacal, I know. My youngest will be off to school soon, leaving me an empty-nester. Most moms go to a spa. Not me. I "want" to run a marathon. I had that thought in my head ever since I heard about the Marine Corp. Marathon. A co-worker was preparing for and eventually ran it last October. I love D.C.! What a great "treat" to myself.

I wasn't going to tell ANYONE. I was going to train...starting around spring time, and then run the big race. HAHA! Well, I told someone. Maria. Maria who has done this before.(and a good thing I did...WAKE UP CALL!!) Maria who, on some occasions in our past, I would have rather ran over than ran with. She's right. We've had our ups and downs. Looking back, more ups. Looking ahead, more ups, too! Now Maria is training me. She encourages, she uplifts, she scolds in a caring manner. There is sarcasm on both ends and high fives and laughs. Oh, and grunts and groans and some gripping (all on my end). There is no one else I could really think of whom with I want to take this journey.

So, no, you can't make me run, but you can make me WANT to run!