Outside Katrina’s Kitchen | My First Half Marathon
I ran my first half marathon. You can too. If you’ve been following In Katrina’s Kitchen on Instagram you are probably tired of seeing pictures of my running shoes. Here’s the story.
Well I did it. I ran 13.1 continuous miles. And I survived. This is a LONG post with lots of pictures if you’re into that sort of thing. If not then you can just scroll to the end for a $200 Albion Fit giveaway. There’s not a pop quiz at the end.
So many of you started this journey with me when I ran my first 5k race in May 2012. That was such a big deal for me. In my training for that race I remember laying in bed the night before I was supposed to run for 20 minutes. I was out-of-my-mind nervous and filled with self-doubt. I don’t like trying new things beyond my comfort zone. Imagine my surprise when I ran that 20 minutes without walking and went on in the coming weeks to run 3 miles!
I don’t know what happened to me this past February but I got this CRAZY idea to run a half marathon. I found a reasonable 12 week training plan, sent a text to my husband saying that I was going to need some extra me time, and I started running. I remember the confusion I felt when I heard people talking about long runs, race pace, tempo runs, intervals, and fuel belts. How and when was I supposed to hydrate? What is Gu? I need to consume calories while I’m running? What?! As I marked those days off of my schedule I looked at each weekend long run with doubt. Then came the day I had to put my money where my mouth was and register for the race. I think I was only up to about 5 miles at that point and I was still very emotional about the whole thing. I literally cried after I hit submit on that registration website. I was scared, and nervous, and beyond excited.
Could I run 6 miles? Could I run 8 miles? Surely I could not run 10 miles without stopping. I remember very specifically the day of my 7 mile training run. It was a horrible run. I looked down at my garmin watch at what I thought was surely the 6 mile mark and I hadn’t even hit 5 miles. I wanted to quit. I wanted to cry. I held back tears. I was mad at myself for thinking I could run 13 miles. I was mad at myself for being mad at myself. I was mad that it was 30° out and I was freezing cold but also sweating. Every runner talks to herself during runs and I had to tell myself the shut up. Just shut up. I had to shut myself up and move past that self doubt. I had made this choice and there was no way I was quitting now. I tried to think of training for this race as a gift to myself. I was giving myself the gift of running- a sport I actually love. I still felt pretty defeated at the end of that run but I came out a new person. I’ll be honest, the following week I was nervous to try and tackle 8 miles and I was messaging with my friend Cindy (daily!) for her running wisdom and inspiration. You know what? It was an amazing run and I never looked back.
When I made the decision to train for a half marathon you can be sure all that anxiety came back along with a whole lot of WHAT IFs…
What if life gets too hectic and I can’t fit my runs in?
What if my knee acts up again like last Fall?
What if I can’t find babysitters to watch my kids during my long runs?
What if I don’t know what to eat or drink?
What if people laugh at me?
What if I wimp out and quit training?
What if I cry?
What if I’m too slow?
What if I need to use the bathroom?
What if I come in last place?
What if I can’t physically run my body for 10 miles?
For 11 miles?
For 12 miles?
For 13 miles?
What if I can’t finish the race?
But WHAT IF I CAN.
And I did!
Can I just say that I was a little annoyed with this “10 year anniversary” medal?! It looks like I only ran 10 miles instead of 13.1!
Please leave a comment on this post to be entered. Use the giveaway form below. By entering you are agreeing to the Official Rules.
Albion Fit $200 Gift Card
This Giveaway is CLOSED. A winner has been chosen and the prize(s) have been fulfilled.
You can find the training plan I used and some other inspirational pins on my Run Katrina Run Pinterest Board.
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. Giveaway provided by Albion Fit.
139 Comments on “Outside Katrina’s Kitchen | My First Half Marathon”
I love Albion Fit but never had a chance to try them. My favorite is the Optimum Capris, Graphite.
I like the pink Match Point Pleat Skirt.
Haha Katrina, I’m not creeped out by your post. You’re pretty much family to my family, so i get it. 😉
Way to go, Katrina! So proud of you!!!!!!
Thanks Iris!!
I enjoyed this post. I am in the first week of a half marathon training. I’m excited, scared, anxious and freaked out. But I know deep in the depths of my body that I CAN DO THIS…right? Ha! I imagine I’ll have a lot of the same doubts you did. And I pray that in October I will be able to post that too, completed the race. Thanks!
So exciting!! I can’t wait to hear YOUR story!! 🙂
I like the Match Point pleat skirts.
I really like the GOWN SUIT, in CHARCOAL!
I love the yellow swimsuit, it really is hard to pick just one favorite thing! Love this brand!
I would like to get my wife the 26.2 jacket, simple and sophisticated. Perfect for her, she finished her first marathon this past May, it was part of her bucket list. I also like the Gown Swimsuit in Charcoal.
red poppy suit!
I love the Crimson Hoodie and the running skirt is super cute!
Mantra Yoga Pant Petite Length, Black
I love the balance bermuda shorts/capris. they are so cute.
Wow…this post is really speaking to me, I used to run regularly but then travel in Asia made it impossible fr 1.5 years (just too hot there). I tried starting up again on our return but was very discouraged by how much out of shape I had gotten. After reading this I feel like just going out again and maybe, just maybe I will run a half marathon too sometime 🙂
Awesome giveaway, too bad as Canadian resident I can’t participate 🙂
This makes me so happy to hear! I never thought I could run a half marathon but once I got the idea in my head it was a fun goal to pursue. Good luck!
I love their hoodies and capris !
I am new fan of the Albion line, but I love so many of their one piece bathing suits (of course, these are my focus since I’m going to the beach in two weeks)!
Inspiring post on a beautiful Journey thank you for sharing.
I’m so excited to see that they have tennis wear…I love the Match Point Pleat Skirts!
I love the Uline Dress in black and white! It would be perfect for playing tennis 🙂 https://www.albionfit.com/tops/sports-bra-white
Thank you for sharing your journey, Katrina! You really are an inspiration to me to pursue something hard, and to not give up. I think it’s incredible that you did it! Congrats on your half marathon!
Thanks for stopping by Heidi! I always get a smile when someone I know stops by my blog…even though we really haven’t met I guess. You’re still kind of like family. Is that weird? Forget I said that family part. 😉
I like the mantra yoga pants
The Breathe Freely Top in Dewberry looks easy to wear with a sports bra, is a pretty pinkish-purple color and no clinginess.
https://www.albionfit.com/specials/breathe-freely-tank-periwinkle
I like the https://www.albionfit.com/bottoms/pulse-skirt-black. Thank you for an amazing giveaway.
Awesome Job! The hightide swimsuit is super cute! Kepp up the good work!
Love the Optimum Capris in graphite.
the midnight dip swimsuit
I really like the SIGNATURE HOODIE, SILVER.
Love the MIDNIGHT DIP SWIMSUIT — BLACK
Sadly, albionfit doesn’t carry anything that will fit. Perhaps after I finish my half marathon. It makes me sad that it is so difficult to find workout clothing in larger sizes. Makes sense from a marketing standpoint I suppose.
Hang in there! Target and Kohls have some beautiful and functional workout clothes that I like too.
Inspirational! I am just beginning training for a half marathon and have not registered yet. Your description says just how I feel!
One of my favorite Albion fit items is the Go Long Crew, With Thumb-Holes, in jade
What a great line, thanks so much for introducing it!
I love al lot of their things, and they actually look comfy! Since a lot of my running here in CO is cooler, I love the “The Sweet Stripe Full Zip, Coral / Grey”!
Thanks so much for your inspiring story, and this great giveaway!
SHOW STOPPER, BLACK AND WHITE is super cute!
You should be so proud of yourself!!! 🙂 I love the Gown Suit in Poppy!
Congrats on your run. My favorite item is the Sweet Stripe Capris.
I love their hoodies!
I love the Capris
I actually LOVE their bathing suits, especially the showstopper in black and white. And their optimum capris.
the loveracer in seafoam!
I love the orange tank top!
Love the swim line, cute one pieces
My favorite item is the petal pant!
Their racer-back tank tops are very cute.
You’re super inspiring! So proud of you! <3
Thank you!!
So proud of you, Katrina! Great job on your first half-marathon!
Thanks Georgia!
I love the 26.2 zip jacket in coral!
I love their charcoal love racer top
Congrats on your half marathon! That’s quite an achievement! 🙂
I, too, love those capris. My workout pants of choice!
Oh wow, what an awesome giveaway! I adore the On the Dot swimsuit!
i have been following your journey for a while! Way to be an inspiration! You’re amazing. I can’t run- but i teach zumba and love it! 🙂
and how cute is this top?!
https://www.albionfit.com/sport/lounge-crop-black