Posted by: Executive Producer, Julie Fike

It's that time of year where I do something crazy, run a half-marathon in Houston. I've been "training" since September. I didn't run across the country and certainly won't be alone like Tom Hanks in the movie Forrest Gump however I feel good going into the race next weekend. Besides, I'll have my long distance training partner, Melannie with me. She and I have been running races since 2003.

It all started in San Antonio (where I used to live) when I wanted some company working out. I looked around the WOAI newsroom and saw a perky woman who seemed game. I didn't want to scare her so I simply asked about doing a 5K with me. Melannie said, "I've never done one but absolutely!" Told you she was perky. Which is great.

Since then we've done several 5k's, 10k's, Triathlons and Half Marathons. We both agree, she's the heart, I'm the brains of the operation. We make a great team. Houston is always a great venue in which to run, especially if you aren't a serious runner. It's nice and flat with plenty of live music bands during the course.

A new tradition we'll add now that I'm here in OKC is the Memorial Marathon. I hear it's a great race and who knows, maybe we'll make the jump 26.2 miles in April. Yikes!