I suppose this post could be filed under “semi-big announcements,” only because it has to do with another semi-big announcement I made a while back when I revealed I registered to run my first half marathon in October. Most of you know of my involvement in PRSSA on campus, being VP this year after three years of pretty serious involvement and general geeking out about most things that will lead to a richer professional life right outta college. Imagine my dilemma then when I found out that PRSSA National Conference this year is scheduled over the same weekend as my race. As much I would love to go to DC (never been!) I said no, thanks– I’m already registered, I’ve already been training, staying in Des Moines is hundreds of dollars less than going to the coast for some stuffy conference anyway. I sat by while other executive members planned their trips and tried to recruit more interested members in getting in before the registration deadline. Well, today I changed my mind. I know, you’re shocked. The most indecisive person in the world flip-flopped her position on something. It was actually brought about by a guest speaker we had the pleasure of doing casual lunch with today. She was PRSSA President back in the day (the year I was born, actually) and hearing her speak of her experiences and how networking and the people she met led to such great things really got me thinking. I love running. I’ve been running, and I know that while 13.1 miles is no easy task, I could definitely do it. I don’t need to be in an organized race to run that distance or farther; with a couple weeks more mileage I could wake up on a random Saturday and do it around the city. This is my only chance to go to such an event, and the line-up of speakers and events they have planned for us makes it kind of silly for me not to go. As my father said (because yes, at 21 I still call him to run ideas by him and get his advice before making semi-big decisions) “You’re not going to get paid for being a marathon runner” aka– this is much bigger investment in The Life of Brittney. So yeah, I am kinda bummed about the race because I’ve been getting weirdly excited about it. I don’t really see it as quitting because races of all distances are pretty plentiful. I’m much more excited about flying again, staying in a hotel (I LOVE hotels, perhaps a post for another time), continental breakfasts, buying and wearing professional clothes, handing out business cards and resumes and working through my awkward meeting people issues, and perhaps meeting up with NPH’s little sister who goes to school in DC and might have a package of delicious baked goods waiting from their mother upon my arrival. Hey, a girl can dream.

As my time in Europe winds down and I prepare to say good-bye to my primary blogging focus for the past four months, I figured I’d restart things here with a bang in the form of a semi-major life announcement.  (For a second there I was going to make this next sentence have something to do with pregnancy, but then realized absolutely no one in my life would find that funny.)  About a month ago, a friend and I registered to run a half marathon in October!  Perhaps some of you just fell off your chairs in disbelief, others laughed out loud, and yet the majority of you who are Facebook friends with Emilee and I knew this was coming (and have been entertained by our “I’ll start my training to become a distance runner just as soon as I polish off this last case of beer” wall posts.)

In gym class, I DREADED running the timed half mile because what I was lacked in self-esteem, I made up for in body fat.  We always had to run in soccer, and around junior year my friend Savannah and I got the brilliant idea to join the cross-country team.  She made it through the season, I only went to the first informational meeting.  In sophomore year of college, I’d get into running for a week or two, but hangovers always trumped any fleeting motivation to jack up the ol’ heart rate.  So what makes you think you can run a half-marathon then, kid? Simply put, I really do like running.  Like, love running.  I’ve made it enough of a habit in the past weeks that it’s something I automatically fit into my day.  I’ve actually called it a night early a few times, knowing that I wanted to get up before class and run.  Mentally, it puts me in a very healthy place, not to mention there’s near-instant gratification from week to week in terms of noticeable improvement (distance, speed, etc.)  I’d thought about running a race for a while, NEVER a marathon, but kept going back to 13.1 miles as a challenging but do-able distance.  Impulsive ol’ me didn’t sign up automatically, but actually put some thought into this decision and read up on training plans before submitting my official registration (and checked to make sure the Hawkeyes are playing an away game that weekend.)

So, in addition to whatever riveting fodder I post in the coming months, get ready for some pre-race thoughts (that, let’s just be honest, might be better categorized as outright bitching.)  I’ve already had two dreams about it, and welcome any and all persons to get motivated, by what you might now feel is my complete loss of sanity, to sign up with me!