Training for a Mini Marathon

Last year, inspired by The Biggest Loser, the FWSW crew participated in a mini-marathon for the last week of their program. It took place on the weekend of July 4th. I don't think I will ever forget that day. Tony was about 7 or 8 weeks old. I went to cheer them on. I went to walk some laps with people when they looked like they needed a friend. I went because I love all things FWSW!
Well, I started with a friend and never stopped! (almost) We walked the first 20 laps or so and then started jogging. I felt so good! I couldn't believe that I was keeping up! And Tony was happy to lay in the arms of Tina's mom and get some good snuggle time.
Suddenly I realized that I could actually complete the course! So I kept going. After a while my abdominal area started to HURT. What the heck! Oops. I suddenly remembered that emergency C-SECTION I had just had! Maybe I shouldn't jog. Then the baby needed to nurse. But I didn't want to stop because I knew I would run out of time! So . . . I nursed the baby while walking a couple more laps. I call it, "Promoting Breastfeeding!" Anywho . . .
Well then I had to go to the bathroom. Taking must two minutes off of the course was NOT GOOD! My whole body, from the waiste down, started to cramp up. That last 1/3 of the mini was one of the hardest thing I have every done, outside of a birthing room at a hospital. Every step was pain.
I went out to lunch afterwards with a couple of friends. I could barely walk from my van to the restaurant door. It took five days for me to be able to walk without wincing.
On the one hand, I was so proud of completing the mini (in 3 hours and 58 minutes) and on the other I couldn't believe how out of shape I was!

9 months later I am gearing up for the opportunity to participate in that marathon again! July 3, 2010 is my target date. Thats 11 weeks from tomorrow. I have been back at the gym for over three months now. This week I started training for the mini. There is a great website, http://www.running.about.com, that has all kinds of info. I found a training schedule there to help me train. So last night I jog/walked 3 miles! I am incredibly slow but I am doing it!
My goal this year is not so much to finish the mini fast, 'cause Lord knows THAT is IMPOSSIBLE! My goal is to finish it stong! My goal is to be able to walk out of there, as opposed to limping out of there!

I better go. I broke my own new rule and am eating breakfast at the computer. I am seeing why this is a bad idea. It's been an hour since I sat down here and I am STILL not done eating! (Not a big meal, just a lot of typing! ha!)