I signed up for the Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon on the Wednesday before the race. I hadn’t planned on running a double-digit run three weeks after the Chicago Marathon, but running is where I find comfort and strength and, after a tough week, a long run was needed to get a handle on life. Not only would I have 13.1 miles to myself, but I would also get a pretty cool medal at the end.
The longest I had run between Chicago and this race was six miles, but I went into the race feeling confident that I could do the distance: if I can do 26.2, then surely I can do 13.1, right?Plus, the half marathon distance is my favorite distance, so I was pretty excited.
Packet pick-up was fairly smooth as it was just standing in line to get your bib and race shirt. Race morning was pretty smooth too with easily accessible parking close to the start line and plenty of bathrooms. There was, however, a change in the course this year with the start- and finish-line both at South Pointe Park instead of starting at Jungle Island and finishing at South Pointe Park. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love running on the beach boardwalk because the views and atmosphere are incredible, but part of the course had a lot of turns and there were two two-mile stretches in the second half of the race with no water support.
My goal for the race was to "SLOW DOWN and enjoy the run.” This race wasn’t about time for me, but about finding gratitude for the ability to move and the ability to have that time to myself to do what I love. With that being said and because people do like to know numbers, I finished the half marathon (#32 lifetime half marathon!) in 2:06.48 (9:41 avg per mile). I felt amazing when I finished because I felt strong and solid the entire race.
Would I run the race again? Considering this is my second time running it, the answer is yes. I love creative medals and this race always has one of the coolest medals for its participants.
The Miami Beach Halloween Half Marathon was all about intentionally slowing down, taking it all in, and reminding myself that sometimes all you truly need to do is keep moving forward.
Next up for me is the Islamorada Half Marathon on December 9th! Anyone else running that race?
Interested in reading more about my running adventures? Read my Chicago Marathon 2018 recap.
