#MyChicagoMarathon No. 5

This October, I am running the Chicago Marathon!

Why do I want to run 26.2 miles in 2019?

• If not now, when? That's the first (and most generic) reason, . Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. My health, as scary as this is to type, isn't guaranteed. Right now, I'm able to train and I'm able to run. So right now, I'm going to do it.
  
• Last spring, I hurt my back to the point that I couldn't run - I could barely walk, without pain. I was a little worried about potential long-term implications (this wasn't the first time that I'd had back pain). Fortunately, I healed and I am now pain free. I ran two half-marathons, last fall (never had I run two half-marathons so close together), to see how my back would hold-up. There were no problems, and I'm still doing great!
  
• With each passing year, running farther and running faster becomes a little bit harder. It starts to become about maintaining. So if I don't run farther now, what makes me think that I'd be better equipped to do so a year (or more) from now?
  
• Once I started running half-marathons, I can't tell you how many times I've been asked, "Ever run a full-marathon?" The seed was planted after accomplishing that first half-marathon. The seed has been growing for approximately eight years, now.
  
• My son was not even one-year old when I ran my first half-marathon. Long runs while training to run half-marathons meant that I was gone for a couple of hours each weekend. I didn't love this. I told people that I'd run a marathon when my children got older; when they were more independent, and leaving the house for a couple of hours wasn't as big of a deal. All of a sudden, my children are older and they are more aware of what I'm doing when I'm gone; this commitment to my self, to my health is something that I pass-on to them.
  
• This past fall, I witnessed the dedication exhibited by one of my colleagues as she prepared to run her first half-marathon. There is an extra layer of excitement in doing something for the first time. Her commitment and sense of accomplishment was inspiring. Thanks, Lindsey.
  
• I consider myself to be a driven individual. I like setting goals, and I enjoy attempting to accomplish things that are slightly out of reach. Running 26.2 miles will push me both physically and mentally. It will test me. I look forward to proving to myself what I can do.

Coming-up, I plan to dedicate future posts to why my first marathon will be the Chicago Marathon, why I'm running for charity, and why I chose Action for Healthy Kids for my charity. In the mean time, check-out my page My Chicago Marathon for Action for Healthy Kids. Thanks!

Donate to my Chicago Marathon for Action for Healthy Kids (linked)