Medals are Forever

Last Half Marathon of 2012 - and year to date (I walked the entire 1/2)

I love running races not only for the challenge and satisfaction of accomplishing a goal, but also for the goodies. My favorite running reward is by far the running medal earned after a half or full marathon. I'll have to admit that I prefer races where medals are part of the entry fee over a t-shirt.  Maybe I like the medals because I don't have to place first in my age group to earn them, but I still cross the same finish line and run the same distance as the first place runner in my age group. I liken the medals to a high school diploma, where all who meet the standards for graduation earn their diploma regardless of their grade point average. I'm especially encouraged to enter races where the medals are unique and highly coveted, such as the Nike Women's Marathon medal (think Tiffany & Co.), and any Walt Disney Half or Full Marathon. Unfortunately, I have not been fortunate enough to get any of the aforementioned medals - yet.

I've kept all of my medals, and I always look back at them and remember each race vividly. They motivate me to run harder, and to keep crossing as many finish lines as I possibly can. Even though I have not collected a single medal this year, I am hoping that will change come 2014. What do you prefer, a medal, a t-shirt or diamonds? For me, I'll take the medal, unless the medal is a diamond, of course. Do you have a favorite medal or are in search of a race medal you've not ran yet?

Here are a few picture of some of the medals I have earned from various races I've entered.

My First Half Marathon

This was my first half marathon, where my only expectation was "to finish."

My First Marathon - Newport 2010

This was a disastrous Marathon finish. I did not train properly - on a treadmill and I crawled to the finish line with giant tears on my eyes and snot running out my nose.

Most Challenging Half Marathon (Wine served at the end)

This is a half marathon where you run through vineyards. There is no such thing as a PR on this race course, but you do get to savor all of the wines from the vintners.

PR Half Marathon

This was the Half Marathon where I came closest to my goal of a half marathon in under two hours. It was also the last half marathon I "ran" before I found out I was pregnant.

Ho

Hood to Coast Relay :)