Goal: Run as my training plan prescribed long run:
2 miles easy
9 miles marathon pace
2 miles easy.
Result: Warm up and cool down were a little fast, but I hit the middle 9 right on.
Final distance: 13.5 – About 300 of us were lead off course for .4 miles…glad I wasn’t racing, but still frustrating because I know some folks finished ahead of us that didn’t do that loop.
Time: 2:00
Place: 199 out of 1100
Feel: What a great way to practice running your own race! I had so much more fun not pushing myself too hard and not being worried about what anyone but me was doing.
Costume: Completely unplanned the girls I was meeting to run also chose to go as referees!
PR Challenge: Due to the distance I couldn’t count this any how, but without pushing myself I would have been pretty close to a PR.
Props to David for getting some pretty good running photos!!
Overall this was a fun day and a fun race, even if I did get screwed with an extra half mile. Miami Beach Halloween Half also has the most elaborate post race food I have seen anywhere! First there is the standard bagels, fruit, drinks…but then at the finish line there was also a full Mexican buffet…then a couple blocks over you can enjoy a full sit down meal of ravioli, pasta, amazing breads, salad, etc.
The medal is also pretty amusing. It’s a casket that actually opens up! 
Gratitude Journal
Nov 1
I am grateful for a supportive husband
I am grateful I deal with life blows with a smile
I am grateful the rain didn’t hurt my iPod
I am grateful for morning laughs
I am grateful for kids in cute costumes
1st in my age group
Karen
Love the costume and that your friends randomly chose the same costume! Too cute!
Lisa
well done sticking to the plan! and cute costumes!
Runblondie26
Love the costume, and the medal is awesome. How disappointing they didn't have the course marked better. You'd never expect that at a race that size. Still a great time for a "training race" though.Hehe, another mexican buffet. Not sure how well that would sit after a half. A couple hours later I'd be all over that though!
Aneta
awesome outfit.and i agree, great pix! :)
Jogging with Fiction
hahah, love the costume and the medal!
Teamarcia
What a fun race! Love your costume and medal!
Silly Girl Running
Ha speedy lady! Great 'training run'! :) And love the oufit. :) You look like you're having so much fun!
the dawn
i cannot get past how awesome those medals are! i'm having some serious bling envy over here! so cute, and great race pics!
Jamie
Love the costume! Sounds like a fun race!
ShutUpandRun
You look so cute and I LOVE the medal. That's a keeper (well, I guess they all are, but you know what I mean). As for the Mexican buffet – wow, don't know my stomach could handle that after a race…but a nice idea
skinnyrunner.com
love the running costume! ive always wanted to run a race in a costume but havent yet.
shellyrm aka jogging
I love your outfit! So cute! Great minds must think alike.That medal is so funny!
Colleen
Look how cute you are! And great medals! Congrats!
Morgan
Ok you look adorable! Way to go on keeping consistent for MP! I'm still cracking up at your comment… I think you need to share more details from the race! LOL!
misszippy
LOVE those costumes! So cool. And good for you for sticking to your plan–that's so hard to do in a race environment.
Indi
Great costume and LOVE the medal!! wow…what a spread for post race!! Although not sure I could go straight into Mexican right after a race. nice job!!
teacherwoman
Congrats! Love the outfit!
Jen (Triathlete With
Love the costume and the medal! Such a fun idea. Congrats on a great run!
Tricia
love the costume!
Denise
great job! fabulous that you hit those mp miles, what great practice. and i love that medal and think i need it!
Sara
Love it! How fun!
Amy
Way to go! I love the costume – what a good idea for running in!
Darlene
That sounded like fun and you did great!
Karen
Super cute costume and great job!
Staci Dombroski
What an awesome medal!
Emz
Loving the costume.Awesome.Fun & Girly.Congrats on the run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marlene
Your costume looks great! Congrats on a strong race. And that is some fantastic post-race food!
oc2seattle
Bummer about the extra .5 mile – how does that happen? Cute costume and classic that you and your running partners matched without planning it!
Nitmos
How do you continue to smile while running? I always look like I trying to pass a bowling ball through my rectum.Nice job!
Pam
Those ref costumes are awesome!
Julie @ Hotlegs Runn
awww, that's a really cute costume! =)
Aimee
That sounds like a fun race, and what a great costume!! That medal is hilarious!!
Jen
That's a great time for not even racing and going off course! LOVE the medals, very cool!
Jodi H
Great job! Love the costume and the medal is really cool!
The Hungry Runner Gi
Cute costume and I love the your gratitude journal!!
Kelley
Great job on your race despite your mini excursion. Love the medal!
Julie
Way to go Amanda! Congrats on a fantastic half marathon! You are so freaking cute in that ref costume:) It looks like it was pretty easy to run in! Nice choice!
The Jesse
cute costume — it looks like it was easy to run in. neat medal too :)
fittingbackin
Great costume! And I love the award – so cool! congrats!
Laura
Great costume and I LOVE that medal!
Jon Gilchrist
awesome costume…and that post race spread sounds awesome!
Katie A.
Sorry! Getting all caught up!You totally got screwed on the distance! But I'm excitied you got to hit your training plan pace! Nice work!And I'm so jealous of your post-race food! I seem to have the worst luck with that – my races always skimp!
Danica's Daily
You are such a doll, Amanda – love the running gear! What a fun race to do too!
Jess
Congrats on a great race!!! I think the medals for that race are so cool. I wish there was a fun Halloween half somewhere around me!P.S. Totally random question, but do you plan on hosting the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge again this year? I'm actually really looking forward to it. I know I'll need a good kick in the pants around the holidays!
Zico
Do you drink some coconut water after (or during) the race?
Trying To Heal
haha, i love the costume!!! and great job on the run!
kilax
Great race! I love your costumes and the medal! What happened that you got off course?
Wifey
Great race! Your costume is super cute … and my son would LOVE the medal.Winks & Smiles,Wifey
Kitzzy
Congrats on a great race, even with the extra millage. I missed out on the food spread at Nikki Beach because I'm too slow and wanted my free massage lol This is my favorite medal!
Miranda
Such cute costumes! Great job on the race!