I met Sean Astin, the actor known for his roles in “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings,” at the coffee truck shortly before we ran (not together) the Tobacco Road Half-Marathon on March 15, 2015.

Laurie Matecki, Sean Astin and I wait for the race to start. Matecki ran the full marathon.

I told him this was my first half. He asked if I had a plan. I said, “To not die.”
He gave a kind-hearted chuckle and promised me I wouldn’t die. He offered the disclaimer that he isn’t God, but he knew I would be OK.
I fell on that run at mile 11. A run-walker helped me up, encouraging me to keep going. I did. I finished the run at 2:48, according to my Garmin.
I hit every aid station, too. I wasn’t concerned about my time. Any time would be a PR. This was a first:

• First for the distance
• First for the course
• First with a new group of runners
• First time car-pooling to a race
• First race with shuttles
• First time meeting a Goonie
• First time not stressing about a race
• First time thinking “I’m running my run, my race.”

It was awesome. And my “plan” worked. Next up, the Brick City SpringFest 10k in April and a half in May.