Have you ever had a plan or goal you’ve mulled around in your head but never said out loud? You know, the type of ambition that you’ve always wanted to accomplish but were afraid to tell someone for fear you might have to really go through with it?

That’s the predicament I’m in right now. As many of you know from some of my previous columns and blogs on our Web site, rosevillept.com, I’ve been doing a bit of walking/running. I’ve secretly had this plan that someday I would be in some sort of lengthy race. I did participate in the 12K Run Rocklin event in April. I don’t remember how long it took me to complete the 7.5 miles but after I crossed the finish line I realized how much I enjoyed crossing that finish line.

That race in Rocklin was longer than anything I had ever done before and after its completion, I couldn’t help thinking to myself I’d like to do more and run a bit further.

I began a training program where I’ve been walking/running 12-13 miles during the work week and a longer run of sorts on the weekends since that Rocklin race. After perusing Internet sites looking for future races in our area, I discovered the San Francisco Marathon takes place in just a few days on Aug. 3.

While I know I’m not ready for a full marathon, especially with so many steep inclines of the city by the bay, I discovered the San Francisco race also features two half marathon courses. How perfect I thought. The race was close by and since my weekend walking/running routine has included a few 12-mile treks that I’ve completed and have lived to tell about it, I finally got up enough courage to actually register for the 13.1 mile second-half race of the full marathon. I even got my best friend from my college days who lives in Los Angeles to participate with me.

Once I pushed the “Register Me in the race” button on my computer and paid the $80 it costs to race, I knew I was committed. But it didn’t really hit me how committed until I announced my plans to run in my blog on our Roseville and Granite Bay Web sites last week. Now, that I’ve said it out loud and posted my intentions online and in this column I know I really have to do it.

I’m a little anxious, but hopefully I can make it up and down all the hills of the course without injury and be able to cross the finish line before the race course is closed.

Even though I’ve been walking/running during my few months of training, I’ll probably be walking most of the San Francisco race because my friend and I will have lots to talk about along the route since we haven’t seen each other in a few months.

But, I’m not concerned about how fast or slow we go. We just want to cross that finish line.

As of this writing I’m feeling encouraged. This past weekend I decided to venture from my usual route I have scouted from my house in Granite Bay and did a workout along the American River Parkway. I began at the fish hatchery located on Hazel Avenue close to Highway 50. I trudged along toward Folsom on a route that was completely new to me. What was so encouraging was that after going about 11.5 miles I actually felt like I could have gone a bit farther. Was it because I had never been on that route before and I was more occupied with enjoying the scenery than worrying about how much farther I had to go? Was it because I am truly ready to go for this half marathon in two weeks? Or was it because it was the first time I used Dr. Scholl’s, massage gels heel supports in my shoes?

Whatever the reason, I’m feeling pretty good.

San Francisco, here I come.