To begin

Well this week is the 6th since I gave birth and I am now cleared for working out. My workout of choice most of the time is running and combining this with my "things I would like to do before 40" list I have decided to try for a marathon.
I have no idea if I will make it that far but it is time to give it a go.
To help motivate me I have asked a number of friends and family members if they want to try too.
Some are people I have run with in the past and some are just people who I know migh enjoy the whole thing.
I am thinking of trying the Marine Corps Marathon. This seems like a good choice for me because it is near by and in a cool part of the year and mostly flat.
My plan is to do the couch to 5k running program and have that completed with at least one 5k race under my belt by March.
If that works out I will try for a 10k by May and then in June I will start the real marathon training. I like the look of this training plan so I might try it but it is too early to say just now.
During the marathon training program I will probably try some metric marathons and 10ks just to keep an eye on my progress.
Everyone who agrees to try gets to stop at any point.
That includes me.
A metric marathon is the most I've ever done and when I did it I was completely under-prepared and as a result I hurt my knee quite badly. I barely finished and given the lengthy 2 year recovery I should have just stopped. I will therefore give myself the out for injury or stress or too much attention taken from family...I did after all just have a baby.
I have thought of myself of a runner for as long as I can remember. My father is a runner and has completed marathons...somtimes just for fun and as an unregistered companion for friends. When I was in 2nd grade I remember running with him and doing 5 miles without tireing and being so very proud of myself and being warmly praised by him. I remember doing some fun weekend runs with him in college and it being one of the most comfortable times with him during those years.
I ran with my husbands father from time to time too. The illfated metric marathon was with him but also some casual around the neighborhood jogs that really helped me to feel like I understood him to some extent.
I wanted to do track in High School but my grades were too bad and they wouldnt let me try out. My best friend Kathryn did track and I would go run with her (and the track team) sometimes.
I love the space my head gets in after a while of running and I love being fit and strong and fast and I am none of those things right now.
SO even if it is bust rather than marathon I am going to try.
My begining stats are like this: I weigh 150 lbs (this is quite high for me and much of it is post baby weight), I havent run in about 4 years (not since my son was born), I walk a lot and normally (when not baby sleep deprived) have a good bit of energy and love being outside.
It is a nasty time to start running, it is December and cold and rainy and dark early and I want to be home with the baby and I want to help my husband out and I want to play with my boy. On the other hand I am not happy with how I look and 40 is just around the corner (I will be 38 in a few weeks) and I do miss running.
I am hoping to join a cheap gym so that I can do some indoor stuff while the weather is bad.
I am hoping to put up the running bios of those who may join me in anypart of this running project.
If it all works out and i get the Marine Corps Marathon under my belt I will try for the Avenue of the Giants Marathon the next year because it is very near my father-in-laws and it is beautiful.
If  I ever get over my fear of flying my dream is to do this marathon but we shall see.