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Pat's Run Tempe 2007

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Location:

Mesa,AZ,

Member Since:

Apr 04, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Marathon Finish

Running Accomplishments:

Prs:

1 mile:  6:31

5K:  23:37

Half Marathon: 2:04

My first post-high school 5K, in which I thought I was going to die

The first time I won my age division.  Yippee!

My first half marathon, in which I attack Sasha

The time I beat my high school PR for the 5K (as a 31 year-old mommy of 3!)

My first 5K barefooted

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

I'm just getting back into running after a long break to have my last child.  I would like to race some 10Ks, a half, and a marathon in the next 2 years.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Be the oldest woman to complete a marathon.  Yea!  But hopefully I will also complete some BEFORE I geezer up, like, before I'm 40 for sure.  I think it would be fun to dress up really strange for marathons, like impersonating celebrities and stuff.  Except I don't really like celebrities, as a rule, so maybe I'll have to stick to the age old question of ninja, or pirate.  I say ninja. *Hyah!*

Personal:

I am happily married to James W (Cool Runnings). We have 3 boys and 1 opinionated little girl.  I love reading and I'm also a news junkie.  I am a stinker.

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Hooray!  This is my first blog.  So after hosting the Sasha and Sarah and their five adorable  miniature olympic marathoners I got all inspired to run.  I was particularly pleased to learn it is weekly miles and not miles per run that really affect your health. i.e. I can run 2 miles 6 days a week and it is better than if I ran 3 days for 4 miles each. This is good.  I can do a mile in the morning--even if I am sick or sleep deprived, no excuses--and then finish off with a mile in the evening with my 3 boys.  I followed this formula yesterday and today.  I ran 11 minute miles for my runs, then 1/2 a mile with my 6 year old (Sam) and a quarter with Joey (4), and Adam (2).  I wasn't originally going to let my 2 year-old run, but he screamed bloody murder when he discovered that he wasn't getting to do what his brothers did.

I am surprised how well my boys did.  They really enjoyed it.  The key to getting Sam to run is trying to pretend that I can't keep up with him.  They are all falling asleep faster and sleeping a little longer, I think.  Major bonus.

On a personal note, we have been doing family readings together that have been helping our family feel close.  I am happy. 

For a long time I have been trying to figure out a way to enjoy spending time with my kids more.  This feels like a breakthrough.  I never knew little kids could run, too.  I think it is a fabulous legacy to give your children--health, vitality, and good habits.  Happy happy happy.

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Morning mile at 11:20.

Ran a good mile with my six year-old (Sam) this evening.  I can't believe how fast he is improving!  I thought he wouldn't be able to run a whole mile yet.  He made me work to keep up.  I wonder if he was going faster than my own run.  One tricky thing is that he runs in bursts.   So he jogs a long for about half the time, and then takes off like he is trying to ditch me the rest of the time.  It's funny.

I'm going to take tomorrow off because I have a 4.2 mile race on Saturday.  Wish me luck!

Lybi

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Race: Pat's Run Tempe 2007 (4.2 Miles) 00:49:56, Place overall: 6299, Place in age division: 1035
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I was really nervous about doing this race.  For one thing, I know that I am not nearly as trained as I could be--I've only been running for about 2 months.  For another thing, I've got baggage about being in a "race" from my high school experience.

A little background. maybe . . .

I started running with the cross country team when I was a freshman in high school. I ran as hard as I could every single practice.  My coach used to say I had a lot of "heart"  (code for "no talent").  I never ever allowed myself to walk or slack off in practice.  During practices, I would outperform many of the lazier, faster runners.  At races, I would also do my very best, and always come up last--like maybe second to last, but very often dead last.  The best time I ever got was on a very weird course where many of my teammates got horrible times--very short, very steep hills, one after another for 3.1 miles. 

I was on the distance team in track. I mostly ran the mile.  One time I ran the 2 mile.  Here comes the trauma.  There were only 8 girls running and I  . . . well, let's just say that I ran that last 2 laps all by myself.  Everyone clapped and some even stood up when I crossed the finish line.  Why?  Pity? Impatience to move on the next event?  Or maybe they could tell that I really was pushing myself, even though I was alone.  I think that was the race when I decided that I just really sucked as a runner, nevertheless, I was still going to do it.  Let's keep the humiliation to a minimum, though--no road races since I graduated 12 years ago.  Today was a big step for me.

Post race analysis:

Goal #1 Complete the distance without stopping to walk:  GOAL MET

Goal #2 Come in under an hour:  GOAL MET

Goal #3 Extra Credit if I could come in under 50 minutes:   HOOOOOORAAAAY!  I did it!

Goal #4 Don't be last:  GOAL MET  Actually, I fared much better than I thought I would.  I was 6,299th out of 9,461.  If you only compare me to women, I was 2,260th out of 4,114.  Yea!  That puts me squarely in the middle.  I could do cartwheels over this, if I wasn't so sore and tired.  Thank goodness for all those out of shape ladies who were really just supporting the Pat Tillman Foundation.  Just think how well I did compared to all the people who sat and watched TV all day, though.  :)

Goal #5  Have fun:  GOAL MET!  I was running with my best friend, Shae.  We talked and laughed much of the time.  We also got into a water fight at every water station.  This, of course, was all part of the master plan to keep morale up and avoid overheating, right?  I also whooped and whistled given the slightest provocation and gave every single specatator a high five that would accpet one.

How I felt physically:

Before the race: "I can't believe I have to go to the bathroom again already!"  Dread.

Mile #1  Ouch.  Little stiff. We had been at the front of the starting line, so that whole mile was nothing except getting passed by everyone around us.  We held our pace though.  I brought up the oxygen-deprived bird story, Sasha.

Mile#2  Some long uphills.  We started to pass some people.  We did well on the uphills, I think.

Mile #3  Needle-like crampy pain on the left side of my back (this is a common problem for me these last few runs).  Feels like it is coming from between the ribs.  Slowed down a little--it went away after a good half of a mile

Mile #4  Relaxed, comfortable, some sweet long downhill.  Passed a lot of people.

The last little bit was strange.  I was saving a little bit to really kick it in the last hundred yards.  However, it was so congested at the finish line that everyone stopped and shuffled to the end.  My real time should probably be a least 30 seconds shorter.

Immediately after the race:  Pretty good, still had some energy.  Thinking "uh-oh, maybe I should've run faster."  I felt much better about my effort when I almost fainted while taking off my shoes. He he he.

Several hours later:  Tender--hip and knees complaining.  Hobbling and avoiding getting off the couch unless forced.  Still proud.

Anyway, the time to beat for next year is 49:56 (pace=11:54).

My legs felt better after taking my little boys for runs this evening.

Happy Easter, Everyone!

Lybi

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