The course was a few loops of the SUNY Albany campus, and along with the half marathon, there was also a 3.5 mile race. The weather couldn't have been better - 47 degrees and sunny; and the course was mostly flat with a few small hills. The problem was I defeated myself by not being better prepared with my gear.

The day before I read not to do anything for your first half that you don't normally do. I thought great advice - and then did the total opposite. The clothes I wore (not my normal running gear) made me too hot - a hoodie which I tossed about mile 3, and a jacket that was too heavy. Then I decided to run with my camera - damn that thing was heavy in my pocket, so I had to run with it in my hand the entire time. And my music was crap - I had problems getting songs to my iPod the night before and had just given up - note to self - add songs on a few days in advance!

But that's it for the complaining. I'm so happy that I ran "most" of the time. And that I came in under 2:30 which was my practical goal - my dream goal was to average at a 10 minute mile - so 2:11. After the race, I felt really tired, glad it was done, a little dehydrated & my knees were stiff. And here's the most valuable lesson I learned - do NOT drive yourself 1 hour and 15 minutes to a half marathon. I was so TIRED going home that I had to pull over at a rest stop and take a power nap.

The day after, I don't feel too bad, just some lingering knee ache. The 5 mile distance is still my favorite, but I see many more half-marathons in my future. A full marathon ... not for me ... but I'll think more about it after a year of running. And this is Race #1 of the Run for the Bling of it Challenge.