My first (and last?) half marathon

 After 2 years of running, I was ready to try a half marathon.  I think turning 40 was my motivation:  I wanted to do something to "prove" to myself that I wasn't "that" old.  At first I daydreamed of running it in less than 2 hours (like Lyrad and 4 of my friends have done), but then I thought about my usual slow pace and realized that 2 hours and 15 minutes was a more realistic goal.  Lyrad didn't want to run another half marathon, so he cheered us on.  I'm in the pink towards the right (above), checking our watches at the starting line.  Our friend Bradley (who is running a 50K next week) came to cheer me on and he let me wear his very cool watch that told me my pace, my distance, and my time.  It was great to have it.  Without it, I would've gotten caught up in the rush at the beginning, gone too fast, and worn out too soon.

 I listened to "Les Miserables" on my MP3 player the whole time.   The songs made me laugh at times:  "On My Own" came on so appropriately when we were all spread out and there was NO ONE running near me, the convict song reminded me as I was huffing and puffing that others go through misery at times (though my "misery" was all self-imposed, so I couldn't really complain), and "I Dreamed a Dream" played as I realized that there was NO WAY I would make it in less than 2 hours like I still secretly hoped I would.  It was a great choice of running music!  At home, I read books on the treadmill while running, so it was fun variety to run by the ocean and listen to music.

 Absolutely beautiful setting and perfect weather.  I could NEVER do this in the hot humid summer.

 Crossing the finish line...(the digital time is for the 10K which started a half hour after the half marathon).  Rachel was waiting for me a little ways before the finish line and yelled, "Mom, speed up!  You can make your goal!"  And thanks to her motivation, my time was 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 55 seconds. 

 Madi was there with a poster for me.  Lyrad was waiting with a bouquet of flowers.  =)

 Bradley, Rachel, Josh, Lyrad and me.  It was a gruelling experience, and my whole body hurt for 2 solid days.  It was exhilarating to reach my goal, but I don't think I'll do it again.  I'll work on getting a faster 5K time.  Rachel and I are running a 5K next week.

 While I was running, Rachel and Josh ran races of their own.

 I got my sticker!

 Here's Rachel finishing the 5K run.

 Josh competed in the 5K walk.  He got 1st place in the 19 and under category, and 2nd place overall.  But he's not too cocky about it -- he knows that the  walkers were mostly elderly people!

 Josh tried to keep up with the 1st place walker but soon lost sight of him!

 Here's Josh just after taking off...   He had a great time trying to keep ahead of 2 ladies who kept teasing him and trying to pass him.  They said things such as, "Little kid -- your dad wants you!'  "Look, there's Santa Claus!" "Why don't you stop for a drink of water?" and they loved Josh's comebacks to whatever they said.

 Josh at the finish line after about 46 minutes of speed walking

Josh getting his first place award