And so it begins....

Let us put forth the scenario . . .

The joys of Facebook, brings back into my life a certain very close friend. I've known her since we were 10. We went to elementary school together. She came to my 6th grade graduation pool party. We went to high school together. She was the one who convinced me to drop my pom poms, and join the cross country team. I was one of the slowest kids on the team. Overweight, asthmatic and out of that kind of aerobic shape, I was there more for the camaraderie, and for something to do, more than I was to win a race. I just wanted to be the best I could be.

Sarah is one of those friends. Her legacy is a long memory that stays by you. I was thrilled when she found me on facebook. So much has happened in my life, and hers, since we last were in touch. We furiously emailed back and forth, until one night she was on Facebook and we got to chat.

It came up that I have completed 2 marathons. Park City Utah at 8000 ft, and Vermont City in my birth-place.

A marathon is the most humbling experience I've ever had, next to childbirth.

An amazing thing happens when women extend their distances to 26.2 and beyond. Their mode of survival kicks in, and their endurance starts to be on par with a man's. Women release pain blocking hormones, natural to our bodies for childbirth, when we go into endurance mode.

I have begun training for 3 marathons - Hartford, Disney and Disney, over the course of the past 6 years. Each time, at about the half way point of my training, I became pregnant, and my body went into a different form of survival mode!

My (formerly marathoning) father once said that he has more respect for the person who can run for 4+ hours, than the guy who finishes in under 3 because to run for that long takes 3 things - determination, guts, and persistence.

So, the day after we chat online, I get a message from Sarah. It is very simple, plain as day. A link. I click, it opens. Its the Austin Marathon website . . . A temptation? A challenge? She says its both. She's never done a marathon, but she needs a new and crazy goal . . .

Am I in? I contemplate. I soul-search. Then the ironies start popping up. My mom wants to give me back my treadmill - the one I trained for my other marathons with. My dad (who I haven't spoke to in years) sends me an email. My husband uncovers my medal from the PC marathon... I stumble upon my training log from the Vermont City... The picture of me crossing the PC finish line. The itch returns. It starts more as a twitch, but with time, it grows into a full fledge case of the marathon itch. The return to the euphoric finish. That invincible feeling it gives you... and the dread. Long runs in the winter in New England? Not fun. Long runs with 3 small children (5, 3, 1)? Gotta make the time.

With 6 years of buildup, I think this could be a very therapeutic endeavor. Its time for me to come full circle, and officially reclaim my body for me.

My mind is made up and I will embark on yet another unforgettable journey with my longtime friend. I'm excited. I'm nervous. I'm ready.