TEAM MILLER!!

I have been running since my freshmen year of high school when my soccer coach suggested that I run cross country because I naturally had good form. I didn't even know what good form was then but I had always been in good shape and always enjoyed running while playing other sports. So I did the cross country deal mostly to stay in shape while in high school then ran mostly for fun in college. But it wasn't until after I had Audrey that I actually took it serious. There were many summer mornings where Audrey, the jogging stroller, and a good pair of running shoes would spend endless hours at Pearson Park. (Also a great way to lose the baby weight) I ran my first half marathon in September 2011 then wanted to run a full marathon the following fall. So last summer I had registered and fully intended on running the Detroit full marathon in October. I trained most of the summer with excruciating 18-22 mile runs in the hot summer heat. Exhausting but enjoyable for me as I love to run and began to love it even more. But as luck would have it the Detroit marathon was the same weekend as Chris' Call to Duty ceremony right before he was to leave for his deployment training and of course it was a no brainer, I would be at the ceremony. There was no way that I could not be with my family that weekend the thought  never even crossed my mind. Running will never interfere with my family life. Running is a hobby, something I enjoy doing, something that comes 2nd place to my family. So my marathon would have to wait.

Well here we are into February and the Glass City spring marathon has been looming in my head for months now. I have been throwing around the debate on whether to run the full marathon or the half marathon at this event for awhile now and I told myself I would come to a final decision by February 1st. I was constantly thinking can I effectively train for a full marathon with my schedule? Can I train for a full marathon in the end of winter/early spring months? Not a huge fan of the cold or snow. I mean its not like it used to be that I could go out for a run very early in the morning while Chris and Audrey were still sleeping. My runs would have to be strategically planned. We did invest in a treadmill a few months back and it does the job for now but I know I need to get outside and run to try and be prepared for a full marathon.

Well today I put all of those excuses to rest and decided that I would run the Glass City full marathon in April! The last bit of motivation was the making of  "Team Miller"! While discussing my concerns with my cousin Erik who has a few marathons under his belt he suggested we get a team together and run the marathon for Chris and the rest of our troops! And we would be "Team Miller" Of course I began to cry again!! I was actually sobbing. And then it hit me... of course I can ran this marathon!  The sacrifices my husband and the rest of our troops endure is ten fold to running a marathon. So I will run for him. I will run my first full marathon for my husband SPC. Chris Miller currently deployed to Afghanistan. The team seems to be growing already as some of the members will be running the half so if anyone is interested in running that day please let me know!! We would love to have you :)

Hopefully the weather will stay mild the next few months and I plan on logging my journey to April 22nd here to keep everyone updated! Hoping to get outside for a run this Saturday to get some fresh air in my lungs! Running updates to follow... thank you everyone for the support!!