I'm a medal whore

I'm not going to lie, there is no greater feeling than running across the finish line and having someone place a hunk of metal around your neck. This is one of the many reasons why I love races so much, the adrenaline, the camaraderie, the finish line food, and the medals. I donate blood, partially because I know I'm saving lives, but mostly because I like the free cookies and juice when you are done. Oh, and also because I'm convinced I weigh one pound less when I walk out of the donation center. This is the same reason I love races so much.

At the very first race I ever ran, a 5k, I saw people with medals hanging around their necks before I even finished. I thought they had beaten me so significantly, that they had already performed the medal ceremony and these were the big winners. I had no idea that EVERYONE got a medal! I felt like a champion! I'm sure this is why athletes train their whole lives to go to the Olympics-for the glory and the medal!

Not all races give medals, and that is why I won't be running in those again. The disappointment at the finish line is incredible when you don't get a medal.

Below is a picture of my 5 medals. The best by far was for the Dallas Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon (far right). Still the biggest, heaviest medal, and my largest accomplishment at that time; I never wanted to take it off.

 

Medals (left to right): Superbowl XLV 5k, 2011 San Francisco Half Marathon, 

Warrior Dash, Dallas Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon

Miles logged today: 6.6