First Medal - 2:32:43 Later

So I did it. I got my first medal today! I completed the Palm Beach Half Marathon in two hours, 32 minutes, and 43 seconds. Not great but decent for a first timer who's 'big boned.'

I learned something from this event. It's easy to get caught up in the energy and not run what you've been training for. I've been training using the Galloway Method. This just means I do it with walk breaks. My testosterone got the better of me and I ran continously from Mile 5 to the end. I only stopped a couple of times at the water breaks and another for a Gu. It hurt. I should have taken my walk breaks.

I was super beyond emotional when I crossed that finish line. I was about to start crying when I say Joanne. She's from my running group, Miami Feet. I gave her a hug to sort of help recuperate and not start balling. I had my medal in hand and ecstatic. The medal is a beaut. Shiny and gold and very South Florida. I will see if I can post some pictures later.

Eve of the Palm Beach Marathon

It's tomorrow. Well, not really IT. IT is really happening on January 28th, 2007. That is when I run the FULL 26.2 miles of the Miami Marathon. Tomorrow is when I am running the Palm Beach 1/2 marathon. I have been a little nervous leading up to to today. However, my stomach has gone a little weird in the past 30 minutes. I think it's the realization that I am leaving my apartment and traveling two counties away to run a race. I don't know the course. I will be sleeping somewhere else. It's my first long distance race. I know I am going to be forgetting something even though I've triple checked to make sure I have everything. I've packed my running shoes, shorts, shirts, and other paraphernalia that non-runnners won't understand. My Garmin, my stick of glide, water belt, gu's. I think I have it all, but still I know I will get to Palm Beach and realize I forgot something. I will be done by 9am tomorrow morning. That's the plan at least. By 9am tomorrow I should be sporting my very first marathon medal.