Greg Thomas Shares Tuscaloosa Half Marathon Experience with Photos

Come along for my photo gallery sharing the Tuscaloosa Half Marathon experience of hitting the pavement with the goal of plowing through 13.1 miles of T-Town streets!

There's a lot to be said of the hundreds of people today who decided to take this endurance test of physical and mental strength to finish a half marathon. It really is such an awarding experience, after investing months of training. The thrill of the finish is awesome!

My photo gallery shares sights around the start line. I really love the sunrise shot snapped with runners walking in. You have to let me know if you like it.

For this race, I ran with my iPhone strapped to my left arm, using the RunKeeper app to track my pace and mileage and the "start me up" race playlist!.

Well, it also gives me an opportunity to take photos. It is a bit of a time consuming pain, loosen the strap, pull the phone off my arm and out of the sleeve.  Then, stand still for the photo.  I did it a few times through mile 9.

As I went into double digit miles in the run, my legs were tiring fast.  I really didn't want to stop any more, fearing cramps or not being able to get running again.  That may sound crazy, with the overall feeling, no more stopping- just finish this!

Around that 10th mile, there was street full of motivating comments written in chalk that really did add fuel to the fire.  Comments like, "u got this," and "runners rock :)."

Once on the final stretch up the River Walk to the amphitheater, I had chills, an adrenaline rush, thinking "I've made it."

Lots of food and drinks at the post race party hit the spot!  Thanks Chick-fil-A for the massive chocolate chip cookie that would even fill the Cookie Monster. Oh, the BBQ from Jim 'N Nicks, on point and in my belly please!

The awards came after nearly everyone was back across the finish line. I'm siting down off to the side, and the overall male and female finishers were announced. I really was too lazy at this point to get up and run over to take the photos, so it was done from a distance. Is that bad?

As I was leaving to get a selfie photo holding the finishers medal at the finish line, I see this girl playing Jenga with granola bars. Cool! Just as I go to take a photo, the tower fell down, oh well. Haha, nice!

To the photos!