Ok..I'll do it!!!

I had secretly kept this little information to myself for two whole days! I normally cannot keep a secret for the life of me, but this particular secret needed much thought and consideration. I mean how lame would it be if I told people I am doing 13.1 miles, and then change my mind? I tend to say what you mean...mean what you say, you know?

So I told my trainer who totally supported me in doing it. He's great. He's seen me from my fattest to fittest days. Then I proceeded to email my sister and childhood friend Anita who did the Half last year and this year will be doing the full. I call Anita Neater as in Ant Eater. Neater is in LA, I think so will be good to see her in SF. It'll be like a fun trip.

Won't tell the parents yet. Growing up, they were not the athletic/active type and by no means tried to instill this in my sister and me. Only after Marsha and I left the house, they started exercising. Dad does tennis, badminton, and swimming. Although Mom has turned into a major gym rat in her late 40s and 50s - she does back to back classes of step aerobics and strength training. Good thing she joined that YMCA back in the day it was a nasty public gym. The little town I am from decided to build a brand new facility and carried all the "founding members" to the new one with membership for life! Oh yea, and she's also a hard-core Asian Belly Dancer for the last few years! But they won't understand the running thing. I'll keep it to myself from them for now.

Oh craaaap!

With much anticipation of the very soon to be my pre-week birthday celebrations (and already happening as I'll be away to fun in the sun Pittsburgh Saturday through Wednesday), I get home to find this email below...oh craaaaap! I mean what a nice, pleasant surprise... I had been behind with my personal e-mail, and the letter was actually emailed two days ago, 4/9. I had originally entered the lottery to appease my sister who is going through something like a one-third-life crisis and decided to do a half marathon - 13.1 miles in October. She's nutz and tried to drag me into it. Unlike the NYC Full and Half, San Francisoians like to have their Full/Half on the same day. That's 26.2 or 13.1 miles! I told her I would think about it and of course I delayed and missed open registration which sold out in a few days, oh yea and the top-secret early registration too. So I entered the lottery (almost missed the deadline then too, but good think Marsha reminded me).

So I think I had entered the lottery some time in February? It was a long-ass time ago, so I kinda had already forgotten about it, until I saw a reminder in my schedule that lottery drawing was coming up.

Who would have freakin thought that I would be lucky enough to be chosen to this sold out event?!?!? I heard getting into the SF Half/Full is like getting into the NYC Marathon - hard but highly coveted! It felt kinda good to be so lucky, but the last time I ran was so long ago, I don't remember. And I believe it was no more than 2 or 3 miles. And by the way, that's 2 or 3 miles EVER in my entire soon to be 28 year old life! Oh and I am slow too as well as clumsy tripping on sand gravel back in the summer of 2004? Reminiscing now back to that lovely summer fall now...it was hot and I was trying to be a "runner" incorporating running into my weekly routine. I must be super clutzy because I tripped on sand gravel. My right knee and heels of my hand hit the concrete pavement hard. Knee hit first. I bled and have a war scar still to prove it on my right knee. Definitely was traumatized by that accident, and haven't really run since! I told myself I must not be destined to run. Good thing that day I was near my sister's and she and her boyfriend cleaned me up and gave me beer. :)

I wonder if there's still time to back out and get my money back. If not, I'll sell my race entry to someone else who REALLY wants it. It's sold out, right? :)

Dear Elaine,

Congratulations!

Your name was chosen in the special random drawing for one of the remaining spots in The Nike Women's Half Marathon on Sunday, October 21, 2007.

Your credit card has already been charged the $75 registration fee, and your confirmation number and information are below.

Confirmation Number: 22207854-031207063146
If you live near California's Bay Area and would like to train with us, official Nike Club Run SF training runs begin July 7th. Click here to learn more.

We're excited for you to join us!

RUN TOGETHER,
The Nike Women's Marathon