I just launched a new blog called See Mama Run. This is an effort to raise money for playground equipment at our local park. See those swings in the picture above? That is the only piece of equipment we have. Pretty lame, huh?

Our children deserve more than a rusty set of swings! Please check out my blog to read more about my commitment to run 5.5 miles in October. I need you, dear readers, to do one or more of the following things:

• Contribute financially--even $1/mile will be a big help!
• Become a supporter of my See Mama Run blog--you can log in on the left hand side to do this.
• Tell everyone you know to visit my blog--the more visits the site receives the more donations West Side Park will receive and *hopefully* some advertisers will contribute too!

If anyone reading this has any contacts in the local media and is willing to help me get their attention (like the News-Gazette, WCIA3, etc.) please let me know!

Thanks for supporting me. It means more to me than you could ever know.

...but 13.1 sounds a bit nutty. Don't even get me started on the whole 26.2 miles thing. Are you marathoners totally insane, or what? Anyway, I'm publicly committing to run the Half Marathon (13.1 miles) on May 1st, 2010 at the Illinois Marathon. Now it's your turn to hold me accountable to this. In fact at any point in time from this day forward until the marathon, I give you full permission to harass me about how much [how little] I've been running that particular week.

In addition, expect to hear lots of groaning, complaining, whining and general unhappiness about my current lifestyle choice. And don't be surprised if I start fantasizing about an open bag of Doritos, a LaZboy recliner and a Gilmore Girls marathon. [Cause really, that's the kind of marathon that I'm used to, one that involves the active participation of changing the DVD when we run out of episodes to watch.]

Those of you who follow my tweets know that my DH and I ran a 5k in the rain on Saturday. It was good for me to have another 5k run, even though I was not prepared at all this time. My awesome neighbor who helped me train for the Illinois Marathon 5k was on vacation this time around, but has agreed to train with me for a 10k in August.

We ran/walked about 3.5 miles today. Here we go again...

...that store does save me money. Big time. I learned a few years ago that I must wear Asics sneakers to avoid nasty shin splints. But the $100 price tag freaks me out.

Enter: Shoe Carnival. Thanks to BOGO sales, coupons, a club membership card, and special holiday sales, I just can't avoid this most annoying retailer of shoes.

Yesterday's trip produced a really nice pair of Doc Martens for my hubby, a new pair of Asics for me to dedicate solely to running, and a pair of Sketchers for me to wear every day. With tax, the total came to $118.50. To put that in perspective, I might have spent that much for one pair of Asics at the mall.

I took an EXTREMELY long time off of running because it has been so stinkin' cold outside!

This week I have hit the road again, this time with James and jogging stroller in tow. It definitely makes training for the 5k a bit tougher, but on the upside I don't have to wait on a babysitter.

This morning I stepped outside my front door to go running and slipped on the sheet of ice covering my front step. This forced me into doing the splits which resulted in much pain. As much as it hurts today, it'll really be a doozy tomorrow. A pulled groin is no laughing matter, but I can't help recalling the words of Bugs Bunny:

"Watch out for that first step, it's a real lulu!"

The Couch-to-5k Plan consists of 9 weeks training. I have completed week one.

I'm proud of myself for taking the first step, but a little disappointed in how out-of-shape I am. It has been a loooong time since H.S. softball & volleyball practices forced me to exercise. 3 months until the 5k in C-U!

During my senior year at U of I, I resolved, along with some gal pals, to run a 5k. Never before had I been a runner. An athlete, yes, but never a runner. In fact, my general slowness and flat feet had always been a hindrance in sports. So I began to train slowly and surely by running at CRCE. Until...

...my shins began to ache so badly I could barely walk. After some healing time, a helpful consultation with an expert at Body N' Sole and some special running shoes, the shin splints went away. But my confidence was shattered and I gave up on my goal. Thanks to some inspiration from my brother and sister-in-law plus an awesome husband who is good at running, I have decided to run my first 5k on April 11, 2009. It should be a good time, with the race ending on the 50 yard line at Memorial Stadium.

Today was my first day of training. I alternated walking and jogging according to Day 1 Week 1 of the Couch to 5k plan which took me about 24 minutes. In that time I covered 1.5 miles. Not shabby for a first effort, I think.