There are no tricks. Run because you have to. Run because you love it. Run because you want to be fast. Run because you want to be skinny. Run to find some quiet time. Run to sweat. Run to eat. Run to hear your heart pound in your ears. Run... because you're a runner. Run because you gotta keep the streak. Run because you don't know why the heck you're running. Run because you fought with your partner. Run because your job is crappy. Run because you got no money. Run for the sunrise. Run for a race. Run because it's impossible. Run because it's easy. Run instead of doing the laundry. Run instead of watching TV. Run because no one else understands. Run because the cool kids do it. Run because you're tired of talking. Run for numbers. Run for feel. Run to prove something. Run because it hurts. Or don't run. If you got something better to do.
- JEFF EDMONDS (The Logic of Long Distance)

The Smithfield half marathon is a tough one and I have always been to chicken to do it. But this year my dad happened to be in town the same weekend as the race, and as I have learned I am best motivated by peer pressure. So I stepped up and gave it a go.
I knew it would be my slowest time from the get go and I was ok with that. 2:03