because i love crumbling under peer pressure...

On Sunday I had written a lovely blog post about cake. A very delicious cake filled with all of my favorite things. I wrote about its magical healing powers and also about the magical healing powers of running in the rain.

However, you will never read this post. Why, you ask? Great question, I say.

I had to go to the airport and board a plane before I was able to post it to the Internet. I thought I had sent it to myself in an attachment, but I didn’t – whooooops. The post is still in my computer in Minneapolis, MN while I am in my hotel in Vineland, NJ.

NEVER FEAR. I shall share the recipe for the magically delicious cake very soon. You have my permission to start getting excited about it now.

As you may have figured out I love cake. I love sweets. I love sugar. Luckily I love vegetables and I love exercise too. I love being inspired by my friends. I love when they peer pressure me into things. I also love using the word love liberally.

Let me clarify my peer pressure statement.

I don’t mean they peer pressure into bad things, like let’s-go-steal-things peer pressure. I don’t hang out with that sort of crowd. It’s more like let’s-have-a-Sunday-funday peer pressure. Or let’s-buy-plane-tickets-to-Atlanta peer pressure. Or, most recently, let’s-sign-up-for-a-marathon peer pressure.

I crumble under peer pressure ev.er.y.time.

In a good way.

These crumblings have often led to long-lasting memories and life-changing moments. They have caused me to grow, learn from my mistakes, and challenge myself: all good things.

Last night I crumbled again. After some persistence from my favorite running partners I signed up for my third marathon.

Yikes bikes. Am I ready to start training again? Maybe. Can I do it? Of course I can.

Bring it on.

Last June I ran Grandma’s Marathon. It was a lot of work, but one of the best experiences. Seriously, THE BEST. This was because of the people in my run club who encouraged, pushed, inspired, and ran with me. Because of them I was able to set a new PR and shave 40 minutes off of my first marathon time. Because of them (and their wonderful peer pressure) I want to do it again.

And by “it” I mean “run another marathon”. I won’t be shaving another 40 minutes off of my time – I’ll be happy with 4 minutes… or even 4 seconds, really.

So I did it. I registered for another marathon. Because I love crumbling under peer pressure. I love training with wonderful people. I love long Saturday morning runs where we talk about food, boys, hopes, and dreams. I love challenging myself. I love endorphins. I love running. And did I mention I love using the word love liberally?

So I will be running the Philadelphia Marathon on November 23, 2014. I won’t be marathon training just yet, but I will be running. Because I can and because I love it.