Golden

Gallery 26 of the 52 Photos Project is up and awaiting your images!  This week's prompt is golden.

Hmmmm......golden.....I pondered my photographic options.  This time of year, there's lots of golden leaves flying around.  But that's just too obvious.  Then I remembered I'd recently earned something golden of my very own.

My lovely finisher's medal

In my haste to get out a post on my Portland Marathon experience, I'd neglected to include a photo of the finisher's medal.  In the many races I've run, this is hands-down the most beautiful medal of them all.  It's heavy-duty, with a lovely etching of a rose on the front (Portland is the "City of Roses"). 

Back view

The backside is even more special to me.  It has an accurate rendition of Mt. Hood (my favorite mountain) and Timberline Lodge.  There's nothing I love more than spending a day up on Hood, be it skiing or hiking.  And T-line Lodge is such a beautifully constructed building in a fantastic setting.  Because 2012 is the 75th anniversary of the opening of Timberline Lodge, I thought it wonderfully fitting to include this Oregon landmark on the reverse side.

Not only is this medal a lovely shade of gold - having it around my neck reminds me of my huge accomplishment.  I might not have been the fastest runner, but I did finish the entire 26.2 miles.  I'm as proud as an Olympic athlete. 

I too, am golden.