When I first ran this, I didn’t post a recap or really say anything about it. I mean, it was my first half-marathon, and I don't know why I didn't brag. I never even went and bought the 13.1 sticker that I’ve wanted for so long. Part of the reason is that the race was harder than it should have been because I’m an idiot.

I finished in 1 hour, 56 minutes, which is a good half-hour quicker than my training runs. By pushing myself so much, I ended up with my left leg falling asleep around mile 5, and I kept running on it (yay for muscle memory and my nervous system trusting me). When it sporadically woke up, my calf was cramping.

So the last 8 miles of my first half-marathon were run on either a completely numb and dead leg, or a cramping calf muscle. And I still finished in under 2 hours.

I was stoked and ecstatic that I’d done it, but I was also beaten down pretty hard spent the next two weeks recovering.

That said, I loved the course. It was mostly on the TVA trails in the Shoals, which weaved in and out of paved trails and road. We even crossed a mile-long bridge that went over the Tennessee River, and I think that was my favorite part.

But it was all worth it, and I can’t wait to do it again. You know why? Because I got me a medal. Now that I am over some injuries and medical issues, I hope to run this one again this year.