So I realize some of you – the non-planners, the spur of the moment spontaneous crazy people, those to whom the last minute is normal – will think that deciding to do a race only five weeks out is . . .NORMAL. But for me? The planner? The one who books her hotel 14 months in advance and has to call the hotel and talk them into it because “we don’t actually book more than a year out” lunatic? Five weeks is INSANE. Crazy, nutsy bo-bo insane!

But I have this friend. I’ll call her Darcie. Because that’s her name. This friend convinced me (and a few other people) that the Wine and Dine was her FAVORITE Disney race. That the course was awesome. That the after party (until 4am!) was a blast. And that her husband might not go and if he didn’t did I want to go with her? Uh, YEAH. (coincidentally, this same friend talked me into running a race at Niagara Falls yesterday. She is NOT to be trusted.)

So fast forward. I didn’t think it worked with my schedule. She and her husband both decided not to go for family reasons (which is ALWAYS a good idea) and I became a woman obsessed with running it. Me, the one who falls asleep in her dinner plate past 9:30 and can only stay at Jelly Rolls (amazingly fun piano bar at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort) until 11:30 because I will seriously nod off right in the middle of Sweet Caroline (THIS SONG SUCKS! sorry, inside joke).

At the risk of this turning into a Tony Soprano type story, the bottom line is a friend of a friend knew a friend who could hook me up, the bib fell off the back of a truck, and here I am, the proud owner of a bib for the 2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon (in my own name and completely legit for the record;).

I am BEYOND excited. My husband, because he loves me and always wants me happy, was 100% for it even though it’s going to cost us some money (not as much as the DL half, mind you – see my post on that – yikes!). He didn’t even hesitate and had to talk ME into it. So that’s a good thing. Did I mention that we get to run down THIS street while THIS is going on?

No idea what I’m going to wear but I do know I’ll be hanging out with my great running friends Lynn, Deb, Elisa, Alan and Selma and that a good time will be had by all. Will I be able to run a race that starts at 10pm? I don’t know. Will my stomach issues be a problem since my whole pre-race eating plan will be thrown on it’s head because of the late start? Maybe. Will I come back to work the Monday after completely blissed out but exhausted beyond belief? Undoubtedly. But I will make a memory. And I’m just naive enough to believe that these kinds of experiences make me a better, healthier person. And that makes me better at my job, don’t you think?

I was watching Parenthood (episode five, season one) and Christina is making a decision. Her friend says to her “Christina, this is not a dress rehersal. This is it. Live your life.” And I am living mine. And sometimes that means making last minute choices that scare me to death but are fun, and exhilarating and joyful. And I know, in those moments, that these things are gifts from God. And I am grateful.

Now to figure out what to wear!!

Happy Running!!

Jen