Travel is all about the journey. It often starts with daydreaming about a destination, researching it to learn more, buying tickets or reserving a hotel and heading out. Once you get there, another part of the journey begins in exploring your destination.

But not all journeys are about travel.

I recently started a new journey of my own that doesn’t involve travel…I signed up for a half marathon.

I would not say that I love running, but I would say that it gives me something not much else in the world does — a sense of peace, a sense of determination and a sense of accomplishment.

I have taken up running a few times in my life, including in college, again in 2013, and just recently in September. In college, it didn’t take me long to be able to run a few miles with no effort. But, life got in the way and I quickly lost the drive.

In both 2013 and recently, I took the “couch to 5K” route to work my way into running without injury. In 2013, I kept it up for about nine months and then lost interest.

I am hoping this time I can keep it up and truly have a base of exercise that will help as I get older.

As of this posting, I am currently running about 13 miles per week, but with that half marathon looming…those miles will increase.

I write this blog in the hopes that I can hold myself accountable. I have the tendency to say “Oh, I will run tomorrow,” or “I didn’t sleep well, so why wear myself out.” I need to stay the course.

The half marathon is May 7 (two days before my 31st birthday) in North Myrtle Beach.

I hope to be just as happy then as I am in the picture to the left when I crossed the finish line on Dec. 3 in Conway for the Reindeer Run 5K.

But don’t you worry…this running thing will not be taking away from any travel adventures. In fact, we have one planned this month and two planned for March.

Stay tuned!