A Running Mom

 

 

My friend, Karen, and I, used to run together in New York City. We both loved to chat and run, so we made perfect running companions. She joined the NYRRC and began training for longer and longer runs. Next thing I knew, I started running longer and longer runs, too. If Karen could run that far, I started to think, then I can too. Before I even realized how far we were running, we were training for the NYC Marathon.

I ran my first marathon in 4:32, back in the days before running chips. I had to wait 16 minutes before I crossed the starting line, and then, at mile 2, I needed to relieve myself so badly that I waited in one of the hideous lines for a portajohn for 15 minutes! I finished that race with confidence that I could break 4 hours one day. I immediately began to plan for my next marathon.

After I had my first child, I ran my second marathon and managed to shave off 16 minutes. 

Then I ran my third marathon and somehow managed to add them back.

My fourth marathon was going swimmingly. I reached 13 at an 8:30 pace but found my hamstrings in full charlie horse mode by mile 22, and finished the race with a personal best by minutes.

All I need to do is keep a 9 minute mile pace, and I can do it. I can break 4 hours!

So I’m planning my 5th marathon. And I really think I’ll do it this time. 

Any advice?

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Tags: Personal Best Times

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 19th, 2009 at 9:46 pm and is filed under Motivation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.