26 in 26.

Hi people. Or no people, whatever the case may be. It's been a while.

Many things have changed. I've moved to Memphis. I've started a job I love working with fraternity/sorority students. I've maintained relationships and built new ones. I've finally completed school (for now).

As 2012 became 2013, I decided that I wanted to challenge myself to living an all-around healthier life. I wanted to read for pleasure again, wanted to cook more interesting meals, and wanted to work out more consistently. I wanted to do better at keeping in touch with old friends, wanted to explore my new city, and wanted to find ways to serve my community in meaningful ways. These were not resolutions. These were expectations.

Part of this challenge was to get into the best shape of my life. I don't think this was the initial goal, but over time (and after a really obnoxious two months of physical therapy for my back), my competitive nature got the best of me. In less than two weeks, I will be done with the Insanity program, which honestly has worked muscles I didn't even know existed. Through my own stubbornness and my boyfriend's check-ins, I have grown to need my daily dose of Shaun T and his rock-hard abs. Over the past two months, I've learned that I am capable of pushing myself way further than I ever thought possible.

Most recently, I've turned 26. No longer can I say that I'm closer to 20 than to 30, and my brother can no longer say that I'm halfway to 50 - because I'm MORE than halfway to 50. I think this has freaked me out a little. But, when I think about the challenges I set for myself a few months ago, I remain calm knowing that probably now, more than ever before in my life, I am being exactly who I always dreamed of being.

So, naturally, it's time to set a new challenge - I've decided to run a marathon before I turn 27. I will run 26 in 26. Not sure which race yet (let's be serious, probably Disney in January), but when Insanity ends on April 5, it'll be all systems go on a marathon training program.

People (or no people) - I'm going to try to blog a little about my experiences. I'm getting really, really sick of running blogs, so it probably won't be that. More about a 20-something woman trying to continue to become more powerful for herself, more confident in her abilities, and more willing to overcome challenges she faces.

Ask how it's going every once and a while. Join me on a run (or two. or The Big Race.). But more importantly, be inspired to consider accomplishing a goal you always thought was out of reach.