Rock Encore

It's a nice feeling after you complete a Half (or any race for that matter) to finally get your medal placed around your neck.  It's a feeling that never gets old.  However, an even better feeling is when you get one and you didn't even see it coming!

Yesterday, as I checked my mail, I got a package.  I wasn't expecting anything so was a little surprised.  I opened it and found a thick, heavy, silver medal with the simple engraving "ROCK ENCORE" on top of two guitars.  I seriously had no idea what this was or why I was getting it.  I took the elevator to my apartment and started going over all the recent race emails I had received.  Nothing came to mind.  So I went to Google and discovered that my friends over at the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series gave this to me because I completed two Halfs in one calendar year (Chicago and Providence, RI).  

Wait.  It gets better.  I see that there are medals that are given for upwards to FIVE Halfs completed in a single calendar year and then others for upwards to TEN (ten doesn't have to be completed in one year).  I was flabbergasted.  After I complete Philadelphia this Sunday that will be three Halfs this year qualifying me for the TRIPLE CROWN.  But, I've already decided that I want to go all the way in achieving ROCK IDOL status.   That's ten Rock 'n' Roll Half marathons.  I can do that.  I'm going to do it.  

So this challenge has now become a combination of completing 50 Half in 50 States and achieving ROCK IDOL status.  As I've stated before I'm looking to start my 2013 calendar next month.  I'll see if I can give the Rock 'n' Roll Half count a little bit of a boost. 

More blogging this weekend from Philadelphia.  Later.