In case you’re wondering what all of my crazy is about, you can click to read my intro to Zero to Princess Half in 45 days.

I went for my first walk/run on Saturday. It was 60 degrees out and sunny.  We spent the entire morning at the park with the kids, taking in the sunshine and fresh air.  60 degrees in January in Buffalo doesn’t happen often, y’all.  We took full advantage.

This is what I ended up with:

While it’s not 13.1 miles, it’s something.  I did a 5k+ under the required pace time (16 minute mile).  I didn’t feel like death after and I actually enjoyed myself.  My plan was to start out slowly (helloooo haven’t run since September, remember?) and only do a mile or so.  The little lady on the Nike+ app told me I hit a mile and my brain immediately said “Nah, we’re not turning around just yet”.  When she told me I was at two miles, my brain said “just a little farther and then we’ll turn around”.  At three miles, I decided to hit the loop around back home.  I forgot how awesome it is to be ALONE on the road, with my music and my thoughts, ALL ALONE.

There was definitely a lot more walk than run on this one, but even with that, my fastest mile (mile 1) clocked in at 12’20″.  Not too shabby, really.  I’m a tiny bit sore, but not as much as I expected for not doing a single shred of exercise since September.  Definitely not sore enough to sit today out. I’m hoping to get some type of run/walk in tonight while dinner is in the oven.  If not, Jillian and I will have a nice, sweaty, romantic date once the kids are in bed.

I realize it’s a long was away from 13.1 miles, especially with 38 days left until race day, but it’s a start.  And as the running cliche goes, Did Not Finish is better than Never Started At All.

The Princess Half is 38 days away.

see also: I’m insane.

runDisney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend is next month.  As in February.  As in I’m expected to finish a 13.1 mile race in about 45 days.

Wanna know the last time I ran?

runDisney’s Tower of Terror 10 miler in September. (see my race recap)

Apparently I have a habit of registering for races and then not training until the last minute.  I love races, I hate training.  I’m sure most people feel that way, but they suck it up and train.

Me? I do the important stuff first.  Like design my costume, download songs for my playlist and buy sport beans.  Because those are the things that will keep me from collapsing by mile 6, right?

In all seriousness, two months of training was justifiably wasted waiting for a knee injury to heal.  Turns out, falling down the stairs while holding a 30 pound toddler can wreck your knee.  Who knew?  It’s finally back to normal and not clicking every time I move it or swelling up like a balloon when I move the wrong way.  Progress.

I do have a hard time figuring out when to train.  It’s hard to find a time to run between the kids and TH’s schedule, and SAD makes it nearly impossible to motivate myself to get out of bed in the complete darkness of the morning.  If I had a treadmill, all my problems would be solved.  I could pop down to the basement while Bubba naps or in the mornings while TH is out on his run or getting ready for work.  I wouldn’t have to contend with 20 degree weather or paying a gym membership fee.  Alas, the $500+ needed to purchase said treadmill isn’t going to happen unless that damn money tree I planted in the backyard starts blooming soon.

So how do I do it?  How do I go from nothing to finishing a half marathon in 45 days?

Well, for one, I plan on walking the majority of the race. (duh)  And, yes, go ahead and roll your eyes, serious runners.  I don’t care if you run/walk/bike/pogo stick it, 13.1 miles is an accomplishment for anyone, so don’t judge me for taking the “easy” way out and walking.  I walked the 10 miler and finished in front of runners, so nana nana boo boo to you (bonus points if you get the Tosh.0 reference there).

I’m also going to have to get creative.  While I know there is no replacement for actually getting out there and running/walking, I am hoping to do some other cardio workouts to at least build my cardio ability back up again.  Any cardio I can accomplish is better than being sedentary.

Other than that, I’m hoping the adrenaline of the day helps push me through like last time.  Too bad I won’t be able to have my lobster roll this time around.

Is it crazy? Sure.  I know there’s a chance I won’t finish, but I’m willing to take that chance for the experience of a runDisney race.  They’re that much fun and spending the weekend at Walt Disney World with my awesome sister-in-law isn’t a bad consolation prize, either.

At least I know my costume will be awesome and my playlist will rock.

It’s all about priorities, people.