I'm running a Half Marathon?

Here it is (drum roll please)..... I am running my first half marathon! As you all know I am on the crew team at my college, however have had many struggles succeeding on the team these past two years. I am also a very athletic person. In the past two years the most I have gone without working out is 4 days! As an avid Dailymiler and have supported and watch all my friends run half marathons and full marathons. I have been so jealous of them! I started running again in the past couple weeks to relieve stress, every time I returned home I thought why don't I train for a race? My dream is to run 10 miles! I think that would be amazing. I started researching 10Ks around, and on the side there were ads for "run Disney". I got intrigued. I found the Disney Princess Half Marathon, I was in awe.

1. It was the perfect number of weeks to properly train for a half marathon
2. It was in Disney World, a place I have always wanted to go back to.
3. It looked like fun and not competitive
4. It was 2 days before my birthday, what an amazing birthday gift?

I laughed it off and thought well let me train for a half marathon and see how far I get (usually when it comes to running, I give up at some point) and then get more serious once I see myself running more. When my dad came up to visit, I joked with him about doing it. And he quickly responded "That sounds awesome, DO IT". I explained that it would cost a lot of money and what if I couldn't go through with it. His response "It would be a birthday present from your mom and I and why not have a running goal to work up to". I was intrigued, but what if I got injured while training? He responded "you could get hit by a bus tomorrow, what's the difference? Do it Catie! I think it would be great for you. I will come and support you". My dad has always laughed at my numerous attempts to run so hearing him be so supportive made me emotional. I was going to do this race not only to make my friends proud of me, not to make my dad proud of me, but to make MYSELF PROUD! In crew, so much is out of your control and in the hands of the coach (boat line ups etc), if I did this race, sure somethings would be out of my control (injuries etc) but I would have more control over my training etc.

So on Sunday night I did the scariest thing ever. I put $165 down and registered for the Disney Princess Half Marathon. I continued with my training program and made a gigantic calendar showing every run, Jillian Michaels workout and any other workout up until February 24th. I told everyone on Facebook and Twitter. There is no turning back! Sure training isn't going to be amazing, since it will be winter, but nothing layers can't solve. To avoid injury I am doing the Jeff Galloway training program, which I have heard is very successful.

I even went as far to create shirts that I am going to sell to my friends to support me and which I plan on wearing on race day. Here they are. Want one?

Even though this is a blog about my Thank You Card Challenge, this is also a blog about me, my life and my journey to become more grateful. I plan on posting about my training and other things in my life as the year continues and I finish my Thank You Card Challenge.

I am over the moon excited right now. I even added something to my door, where you can find me!