A marathon (a what?). A marathon!

In August I was convinced that I should participate in the LA Rock N Roll Half Marathon. Now, I'm not a runner, but figured, eh, I've got like, 14 weeks. I can train! What better way to whip my sad body into shape? Plus, the majority of the Jensens are runners, and I have dreams about running all of the time, so it's in me! I'm supposed to run!

However, I didn't contemplate the fact at I would be out of town much of August, or that I would be sick and out of town most of September..... Fast forward to October and .... Oh shit! I'm so not ready!

But, whatever. I work out and go for walks so I figured, what the hell..... I paid for it, and convinced my sisters to do it, too, so I had to do it.

Aaaaaaaaand yeah. Wow. That sucked. I love lists, so as a reminder for my future self (when I start having running dreams again and think it's a good idea to run....) here are some words of wisdom:

1). Marathons take place outside. Outside has sun. And heat. And bugs. And trees, plants, flowers, bushes.... And the pavement is uneven And there are hiills. There are no fans, or air conditioning, or water bottle holders, or iPod holders, or television screens. Did I mention there's no air conditioning??

2). Marathons start very early. Like, middle of the night early. Not only do they start early, but you have to wake up even earlier in order to go somewhere to park and get in lines to take shuttles to even get to the start line. I'm normally not even awake at that hour, let alone dressed, in the car and standing around with 15,000 other idiots.


3). Marathons are 13.1 miles. Miles. Not kilometers. There's a big difference. I was so happy to see the various signs which showed our progress.....one mile, two miles, etc. So why, then, did I come up a hill to see a big fat "5" on a sign before me, only to find, as I got closer, that it was a sign depicting the distance in kilometers....not miles! WTF??? Not cool. I pretty much gave up right then and there.

In the end, I am sure it would have been way more enjoyable had I brought my phone or iPod, but for whatever reason, I brought neither. Now, me, alone for hours with only my own thoughts to keep me company is a bad, bad thing. All I did was think about work, my fat ass, and other ways in which I'm an utter failure. NOT good!! If there were going to be a next time, I'd surely have some rocking' tunes to keep me movin'.....

I wish I could say it was a better experience, but it sucked. It was my fault that it sucked due to lack of (outdoor) training. But I'm glad I did it and am even more happy that it's done and over with!!!!!