serendipity in 26.2 miles

Me running a marathon happened rather by accident, and in 208 days I will again accidentally run 26.2 miles with my best friend.

But let's be honest - it's 26.2 miles of men in uniform as we run around Washington DC for the Marine Corps Marathon. My decision to run a marathon happened rather serendipitously and was caused by a breakup.

Four years ago a dear friend and sorority sister came back into my life. I believe the email read "just broke up with boyfriend, devastated, will you run a marathon with me?" There was no was I could say no. Out of marathon training - which consists of giving up your Friday nights so you can partake in a long run Saturday morning - grew a priceless friendship.

Living in separate states we emailed horror stories of training, talked eachother out of pizza cravings and laughed a lot at eachother. One might be curious how I was talked into running for hours and hours - simply put, my friend introduced me to vodka. You apparently don't have to worry about vodka calories like you do beer calories. And that, my friends, is where my love affair with vodka started (to see how it nearly ended please read last post).

I, of course, was single at the time and was convinced I'd fall in love with a Marine, preferably before I wanted to die around mile 25.2.

Months of training, endless laughs and a gazillion tears later we took on the nation's Capitol. I never did fall in love with a Marine...

Four years later this marathon has reconnected me with friends, pushed my focus during breakups to more important things and given way to some awesome celebrations. In 208 days we return - both a little stronger, both single and both willing to chase after love for 26.2 miles. (And to celebrate that I'm going to treat myself to a porch drink - vodka of course).