So, my whole experience was tainted thanks to Delta thoughtfully leaving my bags in JFK for the weekend. I arrived on Friday night, then spent most of Saturday fretting about whether or not it was going to turn up in time for the race. I called a most unsympathetic Delta rep...

"But you don't understand," I whined. "I've been training for this for months, I need my stuff. This is just the first stage of my vacation and YOU'RE RUINING IT FOR ME!"

At around 4.30 I pulled myself together. Just because Delta was a fucktard, didn't mean this thing that I had been looking forward to for so long was a total disaster. Thankfully, I had worn my running shoes on the plane (they didn't fit in my backpack), so that was a start.

I went to the expo and bought a few different running outfit options. I gave myself a bit of a talking to - Sunday morning would be great. It was my first half marathon and I wouldn't let Delta win by psyching me out of it.

My training had been sabotaged a bit in the last couple of weeks by a pitch I was working on, so I was a little concerned when I set out. It was pretty hot, but the morning was crisp and clear. The energy was pretty good too.

The first three miles were awful for some reason. Couldn't really get my rhythm, but then I settled down and really started to enjoy it. Up until about mile 10. Then it was a slog. The last two miles on the cement boardwalk were the hardest. I told myself at mile 11 that whatever I had left in the tank, I should just use it all. I think I should have said that at mile 12. Kind of a mis-calculation.

Anyways, Mile 13 was a mix of fast pace sprinkled with 3 little 30 second walks. I sprinted (well, end of a half marathon sprint) across the finish line and had a grin about a mile wide. Pretty exhilarating to finish, even if it was a long way off my goal time. Decided to concentrate on being happy that I finished at all.

I hadn't realized until I finished that my new top had rubbed a point under my arm red raw and that my new shorts had rubbed a mole of mine into a bloody mess on my white shirt. Also, the soles of my feet were hot and in some considerable pain. Grabbed my free sandals and slipped them on for some relief. Also grabbed a banana, a bagel, walked past the free beer and straight into the ocean. That was the best bit for me. The water was great.

So that was my first half marathon. As disapointing as the time was, I now have a benchmark to beat in my next one.