Growing up, Carrie was the one who always faked a twisted ankle to get out of playing soccer. If she had to run during gym class, she would walk whenever the teacher wasn't looking.

She loved the part of adulthood where Phys Ed was no longer a requirement. So how did she find herself signed up for a marathon?!A marathon is just 26.

2 miles, but the training it takes to get there is infinite. How does one even prepare for a marathon? It's not just about the miles that need to be run.

It's about juggling two small kids and a cross-country move. It's attempting to leave behind the non-runner you used to be, keeping self-doubt at bay.

It's the runs that feel great as much as the runs that feel awful. It's the panic of injury and the trust in your training.

It's the thousand tiny experiences that get you through each week on the training calendar. It's an entire lifetime of emotion that gets you to that start line, and a world of adventure that gets you to the finish.

Join in this journey, from the first few easy runs to the long miles and taper tantrums. If you're a runner, you'll understand and appreciate each little anecdote.

And if you're not. .

. well, maybe you'll find yourself signed up for a marathon by the end of this book, too!.