Resolutions Really Do Come True

Last year at this time, I made a resolution... to run my first marathon in 2010! It was something I always wanted to try, just once, just to say I could do it. Having done four half-marathons prior, I decided the bar needed to be raised! So, my resolution for the year was to finish a marathon.

Unfortunately, the problem wasn't setting the goal - it was committing. I really wanted to run in the Chicago marathon - making my way down Michigan Ave with a mass of 45,000 other crazies who share my affinity for running. By the time I mustered up the courage to register for the 2010 Chicago marathon, it was too late. The online registration closed after a record 51 days, once the capacity was met.

And that's what led me to the Lakefront in Milwaukee. The Lakefront Marathon is a point-to-point scenic course from Grafton, WI through rural countryside, along the shores of Lake Michigan and finishing at Veterans Park in Milwaukee. A beautiful course. So, I did it - I filled out the entry forms, submitted by registration fees and took up the part-time job of training for a marathon.

Over the summer, my husband, Matt, and I trained together. It was a struggle at times but we learned a lot along the way. With each run, we increased our mileage and speed. Soon, we were running sub 8-minute miles, must faster than I had ever run before. Turns out, I would need to run this thing in 3 hrs, 40 minutes in order to qualify for the Boston Marathon. It was a long shot, but I might just be able to pull that off.

The long awaited marathon day finally came - Sunday, October 3. Temperatures were 40s that morning under partly cloudy skies with light winds from the north. You really couldn't ask for better running conditions! I was so nervous but also very excited. We saw some friends and family along the route - I really think that made all the difference. We crossed the finish line with tears of joy in just 3 hours, 30 minutes! And I was on my way to Boston.

So, I bet you can guess what my resolution for 2011 is...to finish the Boston Marathon!