And so it began...

The night of December 6, 2012 I had an ingenious idea to train for my first half marathon. I've dreamed and told myself before that I will run a marathon in my lifetime. Little did I know that in that moment I had talked myself into the beginning of this dream. From that moment, I had 15 weeks and one day to train for my first half marathon, which is March 23, 2013 in Waco, Texas for the Bearathon! I was very excited about this endeavor and called my brother, Frankie, who used to be a long distance runner and ran cross country in high school all before a wreck two months after graduation 1999 changed his path. I am far from a runner, I am an overweight 29 year old full time wife, mother, and ER nurse. Imagine my brothers surprise when I called him to help me with this milestone in my life! The wreck shattered both of Frankie's heels and essentially ended his running career. While always staying as active as possible, he hasn't ran distances since before his wreck. This will be our journey together, a broken old track star and his overweight sister! But fear not! We got this! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13

Little did I know that the Bearathon has earned a reputation, it is known as "The Toughest Half-Marathon in the State of Texas." Of joy! Imagine my jaw drop as I read that! Leave it to me to choose the most difficult half marathon as my first one! Let the training begin! 

Here is a quick picture I found on my computer, it is left to right, my brother Frankie, sister Veronica, mom Valda, and other sister Vanessa and me, Valerie in December 2011 for our moms graduation from nursing school.