December 7, 2008 I ran my first half marathon successfully. 

The energy at the starting line before the race was present everywhere as we waited the 90 minutes for the race to start. There were several kerosene heaters to help defend runners against the pre dawn chill, we crowded around them and switched our positions often to share the warmth with others.

The race started and we all jogged ahead juggling for our positions, my race companions Carolyn and Lois started off at a faster pace then I thought I was able to sustain so I held back at a more comfortable pace.  Listening to the music on my mp3 player I ran along enjoying the scenery and the excitement of the race.

I had planned on around a 10 minute pace and was surprised at the 1 mile marker that I was running at about a 9:30 pace.  Approaching mile 2 I was still at around the same 9:30 pace and feeling great. The miles seemed to come and go and having reached the 6.1 mile marker in 1:03:30 and still feeling ok I was optimistic about finishing the race. I slowed down a bit and consumed another energy gel to help get me through the rest of the miles.

It seemed like I was being passed by a large number of racers and at times there was the temptation to try to run faster and keep up with them. I kept to my comfortable pace and noticed at the 7 mile marker I was slowing down as I was off my pace a bit. Calculating the miles still to go and my time it looked like I would finish in my goal of 2 and 1/2 hours and I ran ahead.

The miles passed by and soon I was following the course east from Oracle road with slightly less then 2 miles to go. I was feeling quite tired by this time but now could see my finishing time around 2 hours and 20 minutes if I could keep up the pace. At mile 12 I felt a surge and started running at a slightly faster pace, turning the corner my friend Kathy was there to cheer me on, .5 to go she announced. Mile 13 approached now with a .1 of a mile to the finish, I gave it all that I had left and rounded the corner to the clock, friends Lois, Frank and my girlfriend Carolyn, the one responsible for my wanting to try this awesome, exciting and fulfilling adventure.  So I achieved my goal of 2 hours 20 minutes and 16 seconds with a pace of 10:12, I was happy, tired and sore.