The Beginning/Introduction

Hello Friends! 
This is my first attempt at a blog. PLEASE be patient with me! :) I think I can probably only get better!

First things first. Introduction time! 
I am 22 years old and new to the running community. After doing marching band for 8 years (4 years in high school and 4 years in college), I have decided to try running as a new way to challenge myself. I LOVE the mental aspect of running and that is why I chose running over other sports. 
I've done multiple 5k events (3.1 miles) throughout this spring and will continue participating in events throughout the summer/fall/winter (I also have a strong belief in cross training). For those who know or don't know, running in these events becomes addicting (addictive?) and so I have decided to sign up for a 1/2 marathon. Yes... a half marathon... 13.1 miles... Yes, at this point, I think I'm crazy too!!! 
I am creating this blog as a way to have one location to gather all my pictures, statistics, and thoughts without overloading my Facebook page/friends. Plus, with a public post like this, I feel like I am more likely to be accountable for my training as well as tracking my mileage. With that said, I hope that you, my readers and old/new friends will keep me motivated and accountable!  
My 1/2 marathon is approximately 1 year away. Although I do not have the exact date, it is estimated to be the 2nd weekend of April 2016. With the experience I gain from this 1/2 marathon, I would love to use my training to travel to the Tinkerbell 1/2 Marathon in Disneyland. I am a Disney fanatic (as you will see in my posts) and this would be an amazing experience and something to cross off my bucket list! 

With all of this said.....

WELCOME TO MY YEAR LONG JOURNEY! 

~Natalie