Another 13.1

I am officially registered for the Lincoln Half Marathon on May 1st - have I lost my mind?  I think so.  This time around the emotions are much different than training for my first official 13.1 miles.  In case you are new to my blog, let me back up.  Last September I ran the Omaha Half Marathon.  My completion time was 2 hours and 21 minutes, and I couldn't be prouder of that finish time.  I have always been very athletic but never considered myself a "runner".  Over the last few years I have spent lots of time in Hawaii and have surrounded myself with friends who do marathons for fun and people who compete in Ironman's just cause they can - something must have rubbed off on me!  Maybe its peer pressure or the sheer fact that I wanted to be able to participate in their conversations and say "hey, I've done that too!" - and so the Omaha Half Marathon became a reality.  I don't really think I knew what I was getting into, but as I have said before it is one of the biggest accomplishments thus far in my life.  So why am I more nervous for my second 13.1 miles than I was last September???  The first time around my fears were simple - "I hope I can actually cross the finish line!", "I don't care what my time is, as long as I finish", "what if I have to pee while running!", "what should I wear?!", "is it possible I could be the last person to cross the finish line!" - you get the point.  I am laughing at these thoughts as I type them, but at the time they seemed like a BIG deal.  This time around I have all these questions answered - but a whole new set of questions and thoughts are racing through my mind.  The reality of the challenge is that no matter how experienced you are, and how many races you have run, there are always going to be doubts about yourself.  Here is what I do know, and what I am reminding myself - I am not racing for anyone but myself.  I can GUARANTEE you that when I cross the finish line this time around, even if I am in last place, I will be just as excited as the first place finisher.  Physically, I know from experience my body can handle 13.1 miles.  Mentally, I think I have a ways to go but that's what training is for - and friends and family are for.  I am so lucky to say that I am going to run my second half marathon with my sister in law Emily!  I couldn't have done it with out her the first time around and I hope to be a better support system for her this time around!
I will keep you all posted on how things are going!
Thanks for reading!
Kathryn =)

Emily Tricia, Kath, Dana and Jeff at the finish line of the Omaha Half Marathon

Me and Emily about the cross the finish line at the Omaha Half Marathon!!!