Hell hath no fury like a denied couch-potato

Every bone , cell, thought and instinct within my body screams a violent NO as it now realizes that it resides in couch-potato hell. I now have websites about blister prevention, joint injury and electrolyte supplements tabbed in my ' favorites ' bar where there used to be items for shopping and entertainment. Let me tell you how this began...

A few weeks ago I lived a luxurious, indulgent and self-satisfying life-style ; not a care in the world my body and I. While innocently indulging in a few cocktails, (and a plate of fully-loaded nachos ) I was ambushed by my closest friend on a matter of GRAVE importance, or so she said. What matter could this be? Is she moving to Alaska ( the one place colder than here ), or perhaps changing careers...maybe she's adopting another cat ? I listened intently waiting to hear her life-altering plans, where upon I would support her and say soothing words of encouragement such as " there, there" and " buck up...it'll get better soon", the kinds of things that don't require any physical involvement on my end ( the style of a true couch-potato ).
"I was thinking..." she says as I listen expectantly " ...that maybe we should train for a half-marathon. What do you think, wouldn't that be FUN? "...

I made SOME kind of noise and generally stared at her uncomprehendingly....uhhhh.... 0_o ....
( Imagine if you will...a nuclear bomb, glass shattering, worlds crumbling, illusions shattering and general mourning as though life as we know it has ended ) .

"Ha ha ... WHAT? " ( I laugh when I'm nervous...big deal...everyone does )

That was the beginning of the end....of my days as a much indulged and glorious couch-potato.

I know have entered the truly bizarre and illogical world of 'athletes' ( that word just makes me cringe and think of smelly gym socks ). The most athletic I ever get is rapid channel-changing between 'tense' moments on reality TV! ( reference last season of The Bachelor, anyone?? Jason was such a dog! ). Anyways...I digress...

While nearly every fibre of my being resists this notion of sudden activity and physicality, I did manage to find motivation to say YES to my girlfriend .... It isn't some glorious notion of being a better person ( or it wasn't when I first began...things have a way of evolving as we go along ). It was, instead, the result of a phone call I made that same night. I have a very good friend on the Canadian west coast ( I'm more central ) who is a very active runner ( she has a good 10 years of distance running under her belt ). I called her following my ambush . When I ( half-jokingly) told her I was signing up for a half-marathon....she laughed . Continuously. For MINUTES!

laughter from esteemed and athletic friend = Instant motivation

So here we go...In the following entries I will post my training schedule, my discoveries, doubts, fears, neurosis (haha kidding?), accomplishments ( God willing there WILL be some of those ) and my general thoughts on this whole....anti-couch-potato lifestyle I've gotten into.

If anyone out there reads this, has an opinion, an experience or similar hellish activities...give me your 2 Cents ( no seriously... you could send me the money...protein bars are expensive! ) :P