I Run To Be... Prepared for This Year's Nike Women's Half Marathon!

When it comes to running, I'm the first person to admit that I absolutely hate it.

The only times I really run are to rush out and cover breaking news (which isn't all too often here in Castro Valley and San Lorenzo).

However, come October 14, 2012, I'll be running in my first half marathon — exactly 13.1 miles.

After deciding to apply for one of 25,000 spots in the Nike Women's Marathon, I found out last week that I was actually selected! I had signed up with my cousin and a group of 8 young women, half of which are actual marathon runners, thinking "what are the chances of us actually getting picked?"

Well, I guess we were luckier than I thought.

This is one race I am honored to be part of and despite the distance, I am so thrilled to say this will be my first half marathon. Aside from benefitting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, this race is known to provide its runners with "lavish treatment" unlike any other race.

I'm so grateful for the support I've already been given from Castro Valley Patch's Facebook fans and my fellow Patch editors. From providing me with workout tips to offering advice on how to train, I can already feel the tiny blue Tiffany's box being placed in my hands at that finish line!

To keep you all in the loop on how my trianing's going, I'll try and share blog updates as best as I can.

This past week, my training is starting off to a slow and steady start. I've been doing my runs — averaging about a mile — on Stanton Avenue. I recently conquered a three mile jog in Pleasanton with . However, nothing beats the amazing open spaces and trails Castro Valley's parks have to offer. I couldn't be living in a better place to train for this marathon.

Last weekend, I took advantage of the warm weather and made it to the on the top of Fairmont Ridge. The amazing views took away what little breath I had left from running all the way up there.

Enjoy this photo gallery of the recent run I took with my two little training companions.

Looking forward to sharing this journey with all of you and I always welcome any training advice from those who have run this marathon in the past, or any at that!