Crossing The First Line?

I think a runner has to cross many lines before he gets to the ultimate finish line. Yesterday I crossed another one. I registered for my first race since I ran high school cross country, 30 years ago! This Saturday I plan to run in a St. Patrick's Day 7k race at Evansville.

Now my mind seems to be consumed with the starting line. Honestly I am both excited and nervous at the same time.

I have to remind myself that I have already crossed some other lines.

• I crossed the line of will, knowing that it takes more than talking about running to do it.
• I crossed the line of endurance too, recalling some of winter's harsh elements blowing in my face and through my bones.
• I have crossed the line of self doubt going from success if I could run thirty minutes non-stop to running nearly 2 hours uninterrupted.
• I continue crossing lines with personal best times and distances which has meant passing a line of greater expectations.

On so Saturday I will cross a new line when Kelly and I jump in the car and make the two hour drive to my first race. A new running friend sent me this quote from a book she read: "If you can make it to the starting line of a race, you will finish because the biggest obstacle is making it to the starting line." I'll keep that in my head when I place my toe on the starting line this week.