I opened my email this morning to this bit of intriguing news. . .

"Sister Madonna Buder, 78, a Roman Catholic nun who resides in Spokane, WA will be this year's official starter and will also run the event. She began running at the age of 48 and throughout her career, she has completed over 200 triathlons and 13 Ironman Triathlons. At the 2006 Hawaii Ironman at the age of 76, she became the oldest woman to ever complete the race."

Last week I signed up for a 15K to take place this Saturday, February 7. I didn't think it through, just did it because I am training for a half-marathon and am due for a 9 miler this weekend. Shortly after I hit the final "submit" button, the doubts began to creep in one by one.

My first fear was freezing to death (I am a slow runner with southern-rooted DNA). My second was falling on an icy street and having a frozen body part like an ear, finger or foot break off. My third fear was crossing the finish line in last place long after everybody had packed up and gone home.

I went through all the therapy-ish self-talk, "What's the worst that can happen?" and "Is it likely to happen?" In the end, I concluded that I would be fine. I could handle last place.

But now I have a fourth fear: I am going to get my butt beat by a 78 year-old Roman Catholic nun, the official starter for my 15K on Saturday. Instant karma's gonna get me.

It doesn't matter how many times I take the adult high road and resolve to view Sister Madonna Buder as a role model. It doesn't matter that she is a woman of profound faith or that she clearly holds her health in high regard and wants to share her good news with others. It doesn't matter how many triathalons she's participated in or the fact that she started all this nonsense when she was 48 when I'm only 43. The object lessons are endless on this one!

What matters to me is that she's a nun, she's 78 and she's going to beat my butt. And now my good news is that - right or wrong - I think I have found the motivation to move up to second-to-last place.

Pray for me.