Well, here we go. Sherri done gone and attached my name to a doosy of an idea. Sad thing is, now that she's said it out loud, I'm more likely to go along with it.

Running a marathon is one of those things that would be on a list of things to accomplish in my lifetime, assuming I had such a list. The very thought of running for more than four hours scares the crap out of me. I know I will dread every day of training and loathe every second of the run. But it's a doable task. I may have to give up on staring in a blockbuster movie but finishing a long-ass race, while painful, isn't impossible. I finished a 10-miler not too long ago. Less than a year ago I was convinced I couldn't even do a 10-K. Even combining that 10-miler with the 10-K is less than a marathon but I won't think about that.

My motivation for signing up for the 10-miler was a friend who doesn't run at all suggesting she may try to do the Marine Corps Marathon this fall. Needless to say she's not. But it planted a kernel in my brain that has sprouted and is starting to take root. My lame excuse for not doing it this year is the training program meets on Saturday mornings when I'm otherwise committed to something I don't want to quit. I thought to myself, this year is out but maybe next year. I'd be turning 30 close to when that race is scheduled. It would be kind of empowering to finish a huge physical goal at the point in my life when I'm officially old (not that I believe in that kind of stuff. 40's the new 30!).

Along comes an ad for a training program for the Honolulu Marathon. If you raise enough money for charity, airfare and housing's included. Hawaii in December - I'm there! Then I hear that marathon's not good because they skimp on the refueling handouts. Plus it's hilly and humid. Not for me.

Almost immediately after that consideration, Sherri brings up the Big Sur International Marathon. There isn't anything I don't like about it. Beautiful route. Moderate temperatures. Having a buddy there with me. Getting back to my roots for a momentous milestone. I could get on board.

There's the impending doom of training and actually running the thing. But, again, we won't think about that.