In Other News.

An elite runner named Patrick Makau raced to a new record at the marathon distance in Berlin last weekend... an almost unfathomable 2:03:38!!! His average pace per mile -- 4 minutes and 43 seconds.

Just to compare, my fastest mile ever was somewhere around 7:30 and that's when I was in tip top shape! I can't run one mile under 5 minutes, let alone 26 of them!

Congratulations, Patrick!

Pass the Zinc.

I think I'm getting a cold. Does denial help? If so, then forget it. I'm fine.

Sunday update: Rest day today. Here are a few pictures from the Race yesterday.













































In other news, it is now officially TWO WEEKS UNTIL RACE DAY........... now there's some food for thought.

Race for the Cure 2008!

Saturday update: It was fantastic, heartwrenching, a little chilly, inspirational... it was AWESOME.




Thanks to everyone who joined and supported Team Special Delivery!

Pictures to come.

Reeds Lake Run 2008

I ran the 10K Reeds Lake Run for the first time this weekend! It was great! My friend, Kim, and I left right after our Friday night shift and made it down to East Grand Rapids just in time to pick up her packet, watch our friend Joleigh finish the 5K race and walk to the starting line.

Once we weaseled our way into the crowd for a place at the start, I saw my friend Monica walking up on the EGR football field... and realized that her husband, Brad, was standing right next to me. It was his first race ever (congrats, Brad!), as he and Monica prepare to run the Chicago Half Marathon in August.

The clouds parted and the sun came out, just as we started the race Saturday morning... it was very muggy, but I was so glad it didn't rain! Somewhere in that first mile, Kim's husband, Dave, caught up and surprised us... Kim knew that he was coming to watch, but instead he ran with her! Nice one, Dave!

The race was unremarkable, except for the fact that I felt pretty good running it, which I had not expected after working 12 hours through the night.

Mom and Dad came down to watch me, and I saw them THREE times over the course of the race... that was GREAT! What a nice energy boost to have them waving and cheering me on... thanks, guys! That was perfect!

The last time I saw them was right before the finish, and our family friend, Shane, was there with her kids, watching her husband run... she managed to snap these pictures of me as I dashed (trudged?) toward the finish line. I was smiling and waving at my mom, who was smiling, waving and cheering back!

It was a good time, and I was pleased with my performance, all things considered. Official chip time: 52:44. I finished 26th in my age group and division... goal for next year: somewhere in the top 25 for age and division.

The 5/3 River Bank Run 2008!

I had a big first this year... the 5/3 River Bank Run on May 10!!!
I accomplished my first goal: running (albeit slowly at times) the whole 25K (15.5 miles). To top it off, I surpassed my goal of finishing in 2 1/2 hours, by quite a bit: my official chip time was 2:15:32!!!
Now, here's to joining the 2 hour club next year!

Thanks to Tina for being a great training buddy... I'm so glad we did it together!
Thanks to Kristal for being our cheerleader and photographer!

The top photo is of me with my friends, Tina (L) and Naomi,
who both did a great job in the Race too!

Above is the view from our hotel window the morning of the race... we had gorgeous sunshine streaming in and a perfect view of the gathering crowds and the start of the 10K race... it was very exciting!

Below is the picture Kristal managed to snap as I neared the finish line... I swear, I'm RUNning! It just doesn't really look like it...Next race: Chicago Marathon, October 12, 2008!!!!
Oh my.