marathon 2: kansas city

In the hotel lobby before the race

Here are the things I want to remember from training:
Training Buddy this time around I trained with Aimee. We trained well together. We actually started at the beginning of Hal Higdon's training program and followed it religiously.
Sarah met up with us for parts of long runs. She wasn't training for anything. She just likes to run 12 miles for the fun of it. Crazy.
Between the 3 of us there was always something to talk about. Have you ever heard running is cheaper than therapy? Its true.
Animals Dogs are evil. One actually bit Aimee while we were running. She's so awesome. She finished the run. On every run after that any bark at all made us jump.
Owls are big. We saw an owl perched on a fence post. He didn't fly away. He did turn his head to watch us go by.
Deer are weird. We ran a lot to the lake. We usually saw a few deer early in the mornings, but one morning we ran by about 15 all standing in one clearing. They didn't move. Really unsettling. I would not have been surprised if one had said, "Good morning for a run."
Toenails
Gross. The one under the band aid is hanging on by one little edge. I'm afraid it will get caught on something and tear off. I keep thinking about how I'd be so embarrassed if I went to get a pedicure. But then I've only ever had one...not a big loss. Venna thinks I should paint them. I'm actually kind of proud. Next time I buy a pair of running shoes I'm definitely going to get half a size bigger.

The actual race:
Redemption Two years ago I ran the Kansas City half marathon. It was my first real race. It was hard for a lot of reasons. I was surprised to see how far I've come as a runner by running the same course again. The first big hill almost killed me last time. This time? Ran up it talking the whole way. Last time I almost cried at mile 6. This time? 6 miles? No big deal.
Motivation Aimee heard of an excellent idea: Dedicate each mile to a different person. After I split off from Aimee (and Jenny, a friend who moved away but we met up for the race) I used this strategy. Amazing. It helped to think of people who are doing harder things than running. Mile 23: Caleb and Michelle. Caleb is in Afghanistan. Michelle isn't.
Mile 24: My mom and Dad. They were leaving for their mission two days after the race. My mom is so brave to go somewhere where they speak Finnish.
Mile 25: Josh. I hope no one saw my face during this mile because I cried. I wouldn't even be running if it weren't for him. He's actually going to graduate from medical school in 7 months. I love him.
Mile 26: Venna, Jonah, Tucker
You're supposed to run the last .2 for yourself. I ran my heart out and finished in 4:27.

A friend helped me make shirts for my kids.
The backs say My mom can run farther than your mom.

Next time...under 4 hours!