So you all know I’m training for that little thing called a marathon. I haven’t talked about it a lot here because – honestly – I’ve been busy training and haven’t talked about much here at all.

But I want to tell you about February. I broke 100 miles this month. 111.91 miles ran in February, to be exact. My previous best month? 86.84 in October 2011. So not even close. And I also had my longest run this month too. Saturday, Erin and I ran 16 miles. On a tough, very hilly course.

February has been a big month.

And the coolest thing about February? This is the most secure I’ve felt as a runner. I have very little doubt right now. I’m not nervous before my long runs. I am not being plagued by any physical pain or discomfort. I feel great, physically and emotionally. I am in a good place all around, and I feel like I owe a lot of that to what running gives me.

I have had to realize, though, that training for a marathon makes some things fall by the wayside. The house isn’t ready for people to just drop by anytime. I hate having to do a whirlwind cleaning before we have company, but we don’t have time for a daily cleaning schedule when we’re running almost every day. I am preparing all our meals for the week on Sundays because I don’t have time to cook during the week. I’m cooking big batches of staples, so I’m missing out on variety and creativity. And that’s okay too. Because we are going to be
marathoners. I’m wearing my hair in a ponytail almost every day because sleep is more important than primping. My weight isn’t dropping like I would hope it would because I am always so freaking hungry. But finishing a marathon strong is so much more important than finishing a marathon skinny.

I’m having to learn to let little things go so I can meet my big goal.

The life lessons of the marathon start long before the race does.

(It is okay to roll your eyes at that. I just did too.)