Beginning of 1/2 Marathon Training!!!

I'm hoping this is the start of my re-entry into the blogging world.  I know that I have been MIA in both the fitness and blogging world the last couple of months.  However, I'm now starting to work towards something that means A LOT to me, and is going to deserve a lot of my focus. 

Today was Day 2 of my training for the Wisconsin 1/2 Marathon in Kenosha, WI. on May 5.  I am so excited to be taking on this task of training and working towards a great acomplishment.

I've know since deciding to make the decision that it was going to be a big deal and would need a lot of dedication.  So in order to ensure that dedication, I was going to need to really work on the movitvation.

I wanted something that would make me remember every day what I was working for.  During the Cupcake Classic that I ran on October 22, 2011, as a celebration of my friend Jessica McMullin and her 37th birthday I won a necklace that said, "Will run for cupcakes." 

This got me thinking that there had to be more running or motivational fitness jewlery out there and so I got to looking online.  I found and my mother bought this ring as a gift to start wearing on the first day of training.

For the next 12 weeks, I will have the constant reminder of the 13.1 miles that I want to get through on May 5.  What an awesome feeling that will be.

Day 1 of training was strength and stretching, so I just did that at home after work yesterday.  I sure can feel the lifting I did!

3 miles was scheduled on Day 2 of training.  You know, it would figure that we have had absolutely the best winter ever, but until now I have spent none of it running.  As soon as I am making it a point to get out there, it has turned COLD! 

When I got up this morning it was 18 degrees outside.  I could have gone to the gym and ran on the track, but I didn't really want to add driving time to my workout not to mention the time that I might spend socially.  So, I did what I needed to do and got bundled up and headed out.  I say bundled up, but I'm shocked how little a runner can wear outside. 

My run wasn't great.  I bet I've only ran 3 times in the past 4 months.  Not good.  So I'm basically starting over.  But that actually makes me proud.  Not that I HAVE to start over, but that I am starting over.  How many times have we set out to get fit, fallen off the wagon, and then given up.  It happens all the time; is the story of my adulthood. 

But, I now know that I can do it.  So, the starting isn't so scary this time.  It's very exciting.  Cause I know what the end result is going to feel like.