| Author |
Topic: Honey, I think I have a goat head in my shoe..a Seattle Marathon RR |
mariposai
Cool Runner |
 posted Nov-27-2007 10:49 PM
  
“Only those who risk to go far can possible find out how far one can go” T.S.Elliot.Short version:
Finish time: 4:35:30, a PR of a meager 1:27 over my Bellingham marathon of six weeks ago, which was a 36 minutes PR. Splits: 2:18:39 and 2:16:52 yeahhhh!! I am pretty happy over this since the second part of the race was with the killer hills. AG: 50/627, not bad for a fun runner. FR: black tights, double layer of pink and black tech shirt, red finger nail polish, red lipsticks, and Red Door perfume. OH...and my new treasure...the cutest butterfly pin given to me by my sistah arf. The Long version or... Honey, I think I have a goat head in my shoe! The carbo-loading:Attending the boomer's carboloading party is always the highlight of any marathon running event. This was no exception for me specially since it was the first time that my sweetheart had the chance to meet my cyberspace friends and supporters. The dinner and festivities were grand. How can it not be since we had the surprise of the century...the visit of our legend...Dark Horse.... and we were celebrating Taper Boy's one hundredth marathon. 
Tet, Dark Horse and the ultra queen Arf The race: my goals were in order of importance: to have fun; to run with friends; to be a support to an unknown runner (a goal in every race); to have a negative split; and to get a PR. Having fun was an easy goal to accomplish since everything surrounding a marathon, for me, is an opportunity to have fun. Because I am not a racer, but instead a fun runner, I have fun regardless of the distance I am running. Goal 2 was also rather easy to accomplish, since I had the pleasure of running with Tet for a while. I had the chance to high five Erika, Divechief and hug Arf on the course. Also, a dear friend and mentor in my professional life met me at Seward Park and ran with me for 3 miles, which brought distraction to my run. On the course I met, encouraged and helped by giving hints to a young man who was keeping my same pace the whole time and after the tenth time we passed each other I decided to strike up a conversation with him. As we ran we shared with each other our reasons for running. This is how I found out that he was a brand new long distance runner (same here). His mother just died 5 months ago from lung cancer acquired from second hand smoke. The day after the funeral he started running and decided to prepare for this marathon as a way to show his family that there is a better life after smoking. As we shared training stories, I told him about gu, hydration and pacing and assured him that it is normal to have some pain while running this distance. I had fun with my “new race course friend”...of course I will never meet him again...but he made a difference in my life as I hope I had made an impact in his also. I ran with this young man on and off for several miles from mile 14 to mile 20...running together, passing each other, talking and running here and there as we tried to encourage each other and conquer the miles. Now to the goat head story..(Tribulus terrestris http://www.agdepartment.com/noxiousweeds/pdf/Puncturevine.pdf . From mile 4 on I started feeling like there were pebbles in my right shoe...so I stopped, took the shoe off, shook it out very well and put it back on. This happened like 6 six different times and I must admit it became very annoying toward the end when I had to spot every few miles to take the darn pebble of that shoe. By mile 18 or so the ghost pebble started to give me a huge and very painful blister.
By know I knew that my fourth goal of having a negative split was almost impossible. Just as I was slowing down who do you think showed up by my side but my new young friend. With his steady pace he helped me to keep on going faster than my right foot wanted to go. By the time Galer Hill came to view, I knew that I had to run it. I bid good bye to my new friend and off I went up it like a gazelle (or at least I imagined being one). Running this hill I implemented what Spareribs has taught me about hill running (thanks SR). I ran the hill with such ease that it gave me the confidence to run the next big hill with a “Solarmix” giving me rhythm and my sweetheart waiting for me half way up the monster hill to give me his support and a kiss. Of course I felt like I flew over the darn hills thinking that there may still be hope to get a negative split after all. I know...the racers in this forum would be saying.....  Now about the last goal...my dreaming of ending this great running year with a PR. I knew this was going to be difficult since the course was rather hilly. I finished the marathon with a one minute and 27 second PR (not a huge PR...but a PR is a PR I have been told). I sprinted to the finish line helped by the echo of Erika and my husband's voice cheering me on. Right after I crossed the line I took of my shoes and at that point I found out that pebble was a pesky goat head. Here is a picture of me with other late boomer finishers together with our speed queen Erika and Tet's barefoot friend Chris. 
Now it is time to rest for a bit. It is time to let my body recuperate from the many miles I had asked the body to carry me this year; to do some much needed deep cleaning around the house; to spend extra quality time with my husband and sons; and to be ready for the 2008 running year.
Thanks for readying this report and most importantly thanks for being an inspiration to me.
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"It also hit me afresh that in the Marathon, everyone who finishes is a winner in their own rite" Vista
[This message has been edited by mariposai (edited Nov-28-2007).]
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rasmussenmp
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 11:11 PM
You accomplished all your goals. What more could you ask for? Great weather, scenic and challenging course, fantistic new running buddy(s), negative splits and a PR. What a grand day you had. Now add in the boomer dinner and pre/post gathering. Its just to hard to imagine that much going perfect in a marathon. You worked hard for it, now savoir it. And a little gloating is in order. It was great seeing you again, wish we could have stayed around to see you finish. But, we will meet again soon. Rest up. Congrats again on the "perfect" race. ------------------
Good running!!!
Mike's Profile
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-27-2007 11:46 PM
A chupacabra in your shoe? Oh no! But even that didn't stop you from setting a new PR. You are an amazing person and a beautiful soul! It is an honor to know you here. Congratulations on an awesome race and an inspiring report!
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John2635
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 12:43 AM
Great job mariposi, I think you're way beyond the category of "fun runner", congrats on your second successful marathon in 6 weeks.John
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arf 1
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 02:57 AM
Hey beautiful butterfly....you are an AMAZING runner! About mid-race, you zoomed up behind me and hooked your arm in mine, and I was hurting...I looked over at you and your smile made it all go away...even just for that instant. You said you were feeling strong and I knew you would have a great race! Congrats, I am SO happy for you!Meeting you and your wonderful guy made this weekend so special, it was really nice to get to know eachother a little at your hotel over wine...I will never forget it. I hope we can somehow get together again soon! your sister/soul-mate, arf
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 05:00 AM
You're my kind of runner. If it isn't fun, what's the point??? I had misplaced a goat head I was saving for a special occasion. I was wondering whose shoe I put it in. Sorry------------------
SteveP My User Profile
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halllar
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 06:01 AM
congrats and what fun you people had .
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Larry
My User Profile Never go Back!
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rbbmoose
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 06:35 AM
Greatest post title ever.And great race as well - think of how fast you could have gone without a goat head in your shoe! Ray
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Coastwalker
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 07:17 AM
Hi Mariposi,I can't remember when I last read such a positive, joyful RR. Even the goat head only slowed you down a bit, but didn't really get in the way of you meeting all your race goals. Congratulations on a greta race and, even more importantly, creating and meeting such a worthwhile and well-grounded set of goals. Jay
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Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 08:08 AM
You are a gifted writer, and your upbeat report of this race made me smile. Maybe off-line you can tell me what a goat head is. I need to be prepared in case it ever happens to me.Glad you got to be part of the Boomer party too. Sounds like great fun. How far away is Bellingham from you? I will be working there in '08. Spareribs
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 08:11 AM
Hey Friend Mariposai........Congratulations.This was the battle of choosing between Goals or Goatheads...you chose GOALS........and completed them all. That is a fun race report because of YOUR attitude. You are using your running to create enjoyment in life and in the life of those around you. Your PR is awesome.....especially so soon after a major PR. This proves that the last time was not an accident, but shows where you are at in your running. You are a winner, not just because you finish a marathon, but because you do it with style and enthusiasm ------------------
vista129
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rochrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 08:26 AM
Great report, mariposai! Two marathons in six weeks and you're just a "fun runner"? You really sound like a wonderful person to help others along the way, too.And thanks for the link to that document. On some bicycling forums that I visit, people are always raging about getting flats from goatheads, and I keep wanting to ask "what the heck is a goathead?" Now I know. ------------------
- Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 08:39 AM
Congratulations on a fine race and RR! You may run for fun, but your consecutive PRs, negative splits, running up hills like a gazelle ...all tell me there's a little competitve, racing spirit there too! Enjoy your off-season!
PJ
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evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 09:51 AM
Yeah, don't believe that I only run for fun stuff! Fun may be a big part of it, but the joy of the race is alive within you, my dear woman! Thanks again for playing such a large part in the Seattle Marathon exerience for me and many others. Looking forward to planning another one with you next year!! (Arf, you gonna help us find a 50k to do??) Enjoy your time off, but come back soon.------------------
evanflein
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Iapetus999
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 11:09 AM
If it's not fun, then why do it?
That's part of what's holding me back from that distance...it doesn't sound like much fun...but you might be changing my mind a little.Keep up the good running and hope to meet sometime again! ------------------
-Andy
Competing in 5Ks and HM's
My running/writing blog:
http://blog.dawnsrise.com/2007/10/running-gear.html
PS it's iapetus NOT Lapetus
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predawnrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 11:24 AM
This made great lunch-time reading for me today.I really need to give that fun thing a try, as it sounds very worthwhile. I especially like that you focus on finding another runner that needs support. You're really a very nice person, AND you still managed a PR. Nice work. I hope we meet up some day! (I had a very painful phantom sock wrinkle at Hartford this year. At least that's what I thought it was. I have to say that I never even considered the possibility that it might be a goat head). ------------------
Predawnrunner, aka mrs W.R.F. Beer
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TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 11:47 AM
What a wonderful report Mariposai! You not only ran a very very good race, but you had so much fun while doing it. Arf is right - your smile and your natural energy can pick anyone up. I so wish I could run my first marathon with you. I know you would give me the emotional lift when I need it and make it all the more memorable.
Congratulations on your PR!------------------
Tamalina
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pfriese
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 12:20 PM
Yikes, running a marathon with a goathead in your shoe. OUCH. What a weekend, y'all had up there. Sounds like this may have been the Boomer gathering of the year.Thanks for the RR and pics. Paul
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Dove61
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 12:24 PM
After meeting you, I can see why you are called the butterfly. You are so luminous. Just your presence makes everyone smile.Great race report. I hope your foot recovered from that darned goat head and you don't have too much soreness. What's next for you? -Dove
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 12:40 PM
Mariposai – Congratulations on your PR and in meeting all of your goals. And thank you for another inspirational report from one of my favorite cyber-sistahs – you shine with all you do. But wait – I need to know what Spareribs’ sekrit hill-running method is. I just found a road near my neighborhood called Big Hill Road, and I feel the need to explore it this weekend.
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Holly
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Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 12:55 PM
Mariposai,It was wonderful to meet you in Seattle. I would have liked to get closer to you at dinner, but you brought your boyfriend. Also I didn't want to make Arf jealous--she already hit me once, when I tried to talk to Econo on my other side. So many women, and I'm not as young as I was. It's clear you are a good runner and getting better. If not for the goat head in your shoe, making you stop so often, you might have broken 4:30. Not to mention, you ran another marathon just six weeks ago. I'm still trying to recover from my first marathon seven months ago. You ran quite a bit faster than I did in Seattle, though I was in the half-marathon. Listen to your fellow Goddesses, and soon you will be getting close to a BQ. I am hoping you and all the other Pacific Northwesters can come to Boston, because I don't know when I'll be let out of the house again. Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
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Soundrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 01:53 PM
Hermana, what a lovely story of your race through Seattle with a new friend. Very funny about the goathead. Annoying, yes, but it kept you moving along in a way, no? I am very happy about your strong race. I knew you would run well! My only regret is that I wish I could have joined you on your first "long run" through town. There will be more, I'm sure. How about a fun 5k on New Year's Day instead? Ahora, decansa, mi amiga!
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perchcreek
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 01:57 PM
Nice PR Mariposi!! Those burrs can punture a bicycle tire! Ouch! This makes your PR even more special! So glad you had a great boomer gathering! Congratulations!
Steve
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enkephalin
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 02:14 PM
Wow, what a great run, and a great inspiration you are to others! I had to go back and re-read cause I thought you were talking about a phantom goathead.I so enjoyed meeting you. You exude so much positive energy, it is really infectious. I loved your story about how you decided to train for your first marathon. "If you believe it, you can do it", is a phrase that pops to mind. I think you may have just given me the push I needed to commit to the goal of running my first full in the spring. Thank-you. Oh, and congratulations on the PR!
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JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Nov-28-2007 05:02 PM
Congrats on hitting your goals.
Especially after such a recent marathon.
I personal liked the "support an unknown runner" one.
Your cut outta good cloth,
Have a good holiday season,
jjj
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