138 Days... Is It Too Early To Panic??

After I hobbled across the finish line in 2012, I swore that I was a "one and done" marathoner. The marathon did not go great for me, and I'm not sure whether the tears at the finish line were from happiness or absolute trauma. I have quite happily lived the last almost 3 years thinking that I could get away with completing one marathon, have bragging rights for life, and never tackle 26 miles again.

Then my stupid, overachieving sister ruined my plans. If you read our very first blog post you'll see that I was "running" before Becky, but it was her impetus that pushed me to actually start running races. Who knows where I would be without her silly idea 5 years ago to enter a race just because it promised to give us chocolate at the end! Obviously our priorities have always been in good order! In fact even after running countless short races, 3 halfs, and a full marathon with her, I still struggle to find the motivation to run without her. Exhibit A: in the almost 2 years since I've moved away from her I've run exactly one race by myself: a half marathon that I only entered because it meant I got to finish in the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki (again, I have my priorities, and the actual running is never one of them). Becky on the other hand has no problem running alone and has even had the audacity to run another marathon without me! Last year she smashed the Chicago Marathon again, while I cried about it from 4500 miles away. So this year when she started talking about it again I decided that I couldn't let her face it again without me. 

Helsinki City Run, 2014 (you can't see it but I'm repping my SOC shirt!)

Just kidding, she certainly doesn't need me, but I need her and I really felt like I needed to run Chicago again for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, I would do almost anything for our charity, Special Olympics. Most of you know why we love this organization so much, but quick recap: our brother David is a Special Olympics athlete and his experiences there have made him a happier, more confident and social guy. We've been enthusiastic Special Olympics cheerleaders for several years, and when both Becky and I were living in Chicago, we started to look into the Chicago branch of the organization (fun fact: Special Olympics was officially founded in Chicago in 1968!). It was perfect timing that we were considering our next running challenge around the same time, and it was an easy decision to run the marathon for Special Olympics Chicago (SOC). While we expected a good experience, our hopes were surpassed. In addition to the obvious benefits of raising money for the athletes in Chicago, the running team was well-organized and we felt supported through the whole training and race process. So of course I am incredibly excited to get back on the Special Olympics Chicago team! 

Another, more boring, reason for undertaking this insanity again is that I need some motivation and stability in my life. As you all probably know, I've been living in Finland for the last year and a half or so doing a Masters program. Until very recently I had no idea where I would be after completing my degree; I would love to stay in Finland but the job prospects here are pretty slim so I was also considering moving back home, although also without a job there! So with all the uncertainty I figured it would be nice to have something that would keep me on track in at least one aspect of my life. Nothing makes you focus more than a nice intense training program! Also, I haven't done serious running in a long time and as the weather gets warmer I miss it a lot and there's no motivation like a 26 mile run looming over you (fun fact: I am writing this post to avoid going for a run, so obviously my motivation is on point). Oh, and my 2012 marathon time was really pathetic so I'd ideally like to embarrass myself slightly less this time.

Finally, running in Chicago is one of the things I miss most about living there: everything from the views on the lake path to the feeling of waiting downtown with 40,000 other people at 8am to start the Shamrock Shuffle every year. I can't describe how special Chicago is to me (although if you ask anyone I'm sure they would agree that I never shut up about it, so it must be pretty special!) and I would do anything to be back. Apparently "anything" now includes agreeing to run a marathon... 

So buckle in for our new and improved training season 2015! We will once again be begging your generosity and support for our fundraising; if you want more information about Special Olympics or why it's worth supporting, ask either of us and we'll be happy to gush about it! And as with last time, we'll be chronicling our journey with this blog. It will be the same wit and entertaining photos and stories, only this time it's international!! Stay tuned for my observations about trying to train in a country where everything is a hill, and Becky's observations about how I complain too much about hill running (because she doesn't understand the pain...). 

If you're already sold, here's the link to our fundraising page: 
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/slowmilesarebetterthannomiles

If you're not sold yet don't worry, we'll convince you we're worth supporting! And of course, any donation amount is SO appreciated! If you can't swing a few dollars, moral support is happily accepted as well! Encouragement and kind thoughts are a big part of what motivates us, so you can always send some of that our way!

Starting our training season a little early, in Norway last Christmas!