Heavy (Racing) Medal

I have a lot of favorite medals in my collection.

I'm not even sure of my total count (70?), but there are some beauties hanging on that refurbished coffee mug peg rack. There's a lot of miles behind the medals, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears as well.

Most have significant sentimental value...
...like the one from my first marathon, the Quad Cities Marathon in 2013 (recap HERE )

My first-ever marathon....I almost wore this piece of bling to bed

....or from my first-ever distance race, Dam to Dam in 2008 (recap HERE). This race has so much sentimental value to me, I have gone gone back and run it every year since that first race in 2008. I'll be running my 9th Dam race in June and am just as excited as I was nine years ago.

My first-ever distance race was Dam to Dam, it was a 20K back then (now it's a half marathon). I crossed the finish line and knew it wouldn't be the last time.

...and some are from a significant accomplishment, like a 6-hour endurance ultra. The Christmas in July (recap HERE ) event began at midnight, and we not only had significant heat and humidity, but also lightning and a couple of hours of rain. But I also had six fellow runner gal pals there with me, and we persevered and finished (and we all vowed to return in 2016 and take on the 12-hour event instead!).
 

Christmas In July 6-hour endurance Ultra....the toughest race I have ever done, but definitely one of the best experiences

Some medals represent much more than just a finish line. I have done the Fight for Air Climb four times, three times in Des Moines and once in Chicago. Let me tell you, I definitely was fighting for air in Chicago (recap HERE ). That venue had us climbing the four Presidential Towers, for a total of 180 flights of stairs, raising funds to support the American Lung Association. 

I have four of these babies from the Fight for Air Climb...this one is from the 2014 Chicago venue...180 flights of climbing!

Some are from placing in my age group.Having spent most of my life as an athlete-wannabe, running finally gave me a glimpse of setting goals, training, and finish lines. Being awarded a first place medal was a pretty cool moment!

 Jingle Jog 2010...my first-ever Age Group award, and I got 1st place!

 A lot of them are finisher medals.

My second marathon was the IMT Des Moines Marathon...it was a challenging course on a windy day...and the beautiful medal made it all worthwhile

And some are just absolutely beautiful.

The IMT Des Moines Marathon knows a thing or two about hardware. In 2015, the medals came with magnets, so if you took part in either of the 2-part challenges (I did the Half Marathon and 5K Combo), your two medals would hold together

Rock'n Roll Chicago Half Marathon....it's got the Bean and the skyline, what's not to love about it?

Do you have a favorite medal from an event? Have you ever gone back and done the same event more than once? Do you keep your medals displayed? Have you any medals like the ones featured above?

 

I'm linking up with Marcia's Healthly Slice , MCM Mama Runs , and My No-Guilt Life   for Tuesdays on the Run, and we're talking  Medals today. Head over and get some inspiration!