This was my first Half so I really just played the ignorance card. I also did something you should never do and ran in my brand new running shoes. I seriously got these about a week and a half ago and had never run more than about 5 miles in them. Came flying out of the gate running 6 flats for about 3 miles, then the wheels started to come off and I slowly watched my Avg pace creep up. Hit a serious wall around mile 9 and just tried to bring it in. My goal time was 1:30 and I was starting to doubt that I was going to be able to hit it, but I held on. Can't really ask for anything more.

Just keep working so that I can get to a point to just run fast the whole way, and not come out flying and then blow up.

As soon as I crossed the finish line, my calves tightened up to the point of some serious pain so I just limped around and waited for my girlfriend to finish as well. Her parents were volunteering and offered us a ride home so we wouldn't have to ride Marta so that was probably the best moment of my life.


First 1/2 Mary, running in brand new shoes (stupid). IT WAS SO COLD.


This was a difficult, but good race with lots of friendly volunteers. I will probably be back next year. It was a beautiful day out, I beat my goal time, and I went and ate a TON of food after that so I can't ask for anything more. I am excited to run the ING 1/2 in March and I am going to really try to go under 1:25 for that.