What do people do with their medals?

I think it's more of a Den and Angie scenario Stevie...

I've put my medals in a frame and I've hung them on the wall. I'm very proud of them as each one has been an achievement. Okay I'm not the fastest runner ever, but never mind.

Taxi Driver wrote (see)

What 10K time does one need to achieve for a green beret?

under 50 mins, in boots, with 22lbs webbing and a rifle. will get you an interview.

I'm sure the day will come when I no longer care about trinkets and medals, but right now I cherish every single one. They live in my bedside drawer and get loaned out now and again to my daughter who is 6 and loves wearing them.  I also keep my race numbers and in a way, I cherish them even more.  2 years ago I was a fat, lazy tub of lard, I'd pretty much spent most of my life that way, at 17.5 stone I decided to change my life, running helped me do that and the content of that drawer represents the most importnt thing that has ever happend to me aside from marriage and becoming a father.  I am aiming to do my first half marathon this year and even if it does take me 2:20 I think my medal will be well deserved - some of you may agree with this, some may not, but the point is that nobody has the right to judge what constitutes an achievement for someone else. I set my own goals and run my own race, and at the moment, I'm winning.

I feel like pumping my fist in the air and going 'Yeah!' after reading sorecalfs moving story.

I agree with SoreCalf, he's done well. I also love getting medals, for the same reason, I'm crap at running and that I ever started was an achievment. 

But I can also see where you're coming from on effort, though on a slight tangent...You don't sound like you've actually been in a race? I don't recall seeing many people in races, especially at the back who didn't look like they were trying? Except for those who, like I sometimes do, use a race as a training run, and yes do take it easy. 

Regarding effort, you really do have to take natural ability into it, there's many who could train as you desribe, 10-20 miles a week, and make a good half marathon time look like a cake walk without trying. 

In a drawer

In a drawer Only very very occasionally have  a look at them.