Did I just Google “how long is a marathon”? Yes. Yes, I did. Because somehow, I’ve decided that running a marathon (that’s 26.2 miles for those like me who didn’t know) in Honolulu sounds like a great idea, even for someone who’s only ever managed to run five miles—on a really good day.

Let’s be clear: I’m not a runner. The only running I do regularly involves chasing my two little ones around the house or racing to the kitchen before my coffee gets cold. But here I am, putting this wild goal out into the universe. I’m planning to run a marathon, and I can’t believe I’m saying that.

So, why this goal? Why now? Let me tell ya.

Choosing to Do Something Just for Me

As a mom of four, most of my attention goes toward raising and homeschooling my kids. I run my business from home, which gives me a ton of flexibility, but it also means that my personal time is practically non-existent. My days are a juggling act of lesson plans, family time, snack requests, and laundry—so much laundry.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped making time to do things just for me. And if you’re a parent, you probably know exactly what I mean. It’s easy to get lost in the needs of everyone else and forget that we deserve a little slice of our own time and energy, too. Back in my early business days, when I was working as a photographer, most of my weekends required me to travel to new locations for weddings and sessions. Although it was technically work, it often felt like a fun weekend getaway—a chance to do something on my own and explore new places. I didn’t realize at the time how important that solo time was for me.

Running a marathon is my way of claiming that space for myself. It’s a commitment to me. It’s a reminder that I’m allowed to set big goals that have nothing to do with being a mom or running a business.

And honestly? It feels empowering to choose something this big and audacious.

My Love for Unrealistic Goals

I have this weird obsession with setting really unrealistic goals and then figuring out how to make them happen. Running a business has always felt a lot like that—setting big dreams, making a plan, and just trusting that I’ll figure it out along the way.

Running a marathon feels exactly the same.

Right now, I can’t run more than five miles without feeling like my lungs might give out. But I’m not worried about where I am today—I’m focused on where I could be a few months from now. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that big goals push us in the right direction, even if they feel impossible at first.

How many times do we stop ourselves from going after something because we think, “I could never do that”? What if we flipped the narrative and thought, “I can’t do that yet but I’m willing to try”?

That’s the mindset I’m taking into this marathon journey. I may not be able to run 26.2 miles today, but I’m showing up for future me—the one who will cross that finish line in Honolulu.

I’m Not a Runner (But I’m Trying Anyway)

Let’s be real—running is hard. At the moment, running three miles feels like a challenge. I’m not someone who naturally loves to run, and the idea of running more than five miles? I honestly can’t imagine it.

When I say, “I’m not a runner,” I mean it. I’m the mom who runs after her kids, not someone who laces up their sneakers every morning for a quick jog.

But the beauty of setting a goal like running a marathon is that it forces you to grow into the kind of person who can do it. I’m not a runner yet, but by the time December rolls around, I hope I will be.

Accountability and Consistency

One of the main reasons I wanted to commit to this marathon is to motivate myself to become more consistent in working out.

I’ve always struggled with sticking to a workout routine. I’d have good weeks where I’d show up consistently, followed by weeks where I’d fall off the wagon completely. I needed a reason to show up—something to hold me accountable.

Signing up for a marathon gives me that reason. If I don’t put in the work, the only person I’m letting down is myself. And having to run a marathon is for sure going to be a terrible experience. There’s no hiding from that.

Consistency is key when it comes to training, and I hope this goal helps me stay accountable even on the days when I don’t feel like showing up. Because let’s be honest—there are going to be plenty of those days.

Why Honolulu? Why NOT Honolulu Hawaii?!

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I have a deep love for Hawaii. I’ve lived in both Maui and Oahu, and those islands will always hold a special place in my heart.

When I started thinking about running a marathon, I knew I wanted to choose one that felt meaningful. The Honolulu Marathon felt like the perfect fit—a way to return to a place I love, while rewarding myself at the end of the year for sticking with my training plan. Plus, since it’s in December it gives me the most amount of time to train.

Plus, if you’re going to run 26.2 miles, you might as well do it in paradise, right?

Getting Personal

This space on my blog is typically filled with business tips and marketing strategies, but I hope to share more of my health journey here, too. It feels a little vulnerable to show up in this way, but I want to be real about the ups and downs of this experience. Life isn’t just about business goals—it’s about personal ones, too.

I’m equal parts excited and terrified. There’s a voice in my head saying, “You’re crazy for even trying,” but there’s a louder voice reminding me that I’ve done hard things before—and I can do this, too.

So, here’s to running a marathon, showing up for myself, and doing things that feel impossible.