Can I even run?

My friend has decided that she wants to run a marathon for her 40th birthday. This will give her motivation to drop the last few pounds on her weight loss journey. As additional motivation, she plans to target different runs around the country to participate in really cool locations. The target is the Chicago Marathon on October 10, 2010 - 10/10/10.
I have not committed to the marathon. I don't even know if I can run a mile yet. I have committed to a 5K. And a program called Couch-2-5K. Apparantly this program downloaded onto my iPhone, should prepare me to run a 5K in 9 short weeks. I am in week one of the training program.
Honestly, I am afraid to commit to anything. I am notorious for starting things I never finish. For the longest time I thought I was lazy, but I really think that I am more afraid of succeeding and the commitment that will take.
I can barely talk and chew gum at the same time, so running for any distance will be a huge success. I asked for rollerblades for Christmas shortly after moving to the city and my Mother's response was, "oh, honey, I don't think so. Your lack of coordination combined with rollerblades would worry me to death. How about a nice bracelet instead?" So for now, lets just focus on the 5K and not falling down.
In addition to committing to the 5K, I am hoping this will also jump start my own weight loss journey. I need to lose somewhere between 40-60 pounds. We'll shoot for 40, then see where I stand. Another fine example of starting something and quiting after a certain level of success. I have spent the last 8 years going to weight watchers meetings off and on, not really trying, hoping to lose weight via osmosis. I lost 20 pounds during my first several months, but then gained it back plus a little more. I have lost the same 10 pounds over and over and I just want them to go away forever!
Is it ironic or optimistic to start a blog on New Year's Eve? Will this be abandoned in a month? Who knows? I am hoping having this accountability will be a motivating factor in this process.

So, I'll leave this posting with a big "Happy New Year!".