Rachel: congratulations on an incredible feat that few of us will ever duplicate.
And thanks for adding to the body of evidence that former dubs DO in fact go on to lead productive and fulfilling lives. You're an inspiration.
Seattle Marathon on Sunday, November 28. Princess will be doing it.
by Mulan 29 Replies latest jw friends
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LittleToe
Way cool!!!
Well done!!! -
bem
Alright Princess,,, Great going. and good for you for involving the kids, and getting the little rugratts to run everyday!
Congratulations! on the accomplishments!
Dorothy
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Princess
Here are some pictures. The marathon started with a short run south through Seattle then we headed east and ran right on to I-90 where we ran across a floating bridge to Mercer Island, turned around and ran back across the bridge and headed south to run along Lake Washington. Here is where I first encountered Steve and the kids about mile 10. They were waiting at the lake. It gave me an opportunity to shed some layers as it was very very cold at the start but after 10 miles I had warmed up considerably.
Then I ran on to circle Seward Park and run back to where Steve was, now about mile 15. Along the way my knee started twinging a bit and I knew I was in for a hell of a second half. I crossed the halfway mark 13.1 at 2 hours 5 minutes so I was really doing great but I lost a lot of time due to the bum knee on the second half. Picture two is the kids waiting at the lake and three is when they ran a bit with me at mile 15.
The run continued along Lake Washington for four more miles...very flat and very painful. I was wondering if it would be better to run uphills? My knee buckled at mile 19 and I walked a bit and was able to run again. We took a sharp turn and headed west back toward the city...uphill. It was a steep hill and I motored right up. Less impact on my knee, didn't hurt as much as running flat. The first hill merged with another less steep but very long hill on Madison Avenue. Still doing fine...relatively. It was pretty much an uphill climb followed by a painful downhill descent the next seven miles. When we finally reached I-5 we got a shot of Seattle Center where we could see the space needle and barely make out the stadium where the finish line was. It was less than three miles away but looked more like 10.
I called Steve at mile 24 to tell him to look for me in about 20 minutes, figuring it would take longer but I was going to try like hell to get there by 4.5 hours. Fortunately the run ended with an uphill climb and I passed a lot of runners on that last hill and was never happier to enter that stadium. I spotted my parents and Steve on the sidelines and the kids ran to meet me and we crossed the line together. Final chip time 4:32:12 I got my medal and we went home.
Steve says I shouldn't give up on marathons. I'm thinking a half marathon is still a pretty decent accomplishment. I've run two marathons and three halfs. The half is definitely easier and less painful.
edited to add: the pictures are in the wrong order. the first is the kids running with me at 15, then the finish line, then mile ten and playing while waiting for me.
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shotgun
Good stuff Princess
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Mulan
I don't know where she gets it.................she is driven, goal oriented, and always accomplishes what she sets out to do. We were so proud to see her enter the stadium, running strong, and looking so good. Some of the runners were really half dead, we thought. Many were limping and barely walking.
I repeat, "What a gal!!!!!!!!!!"
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Princess
I don't know where she gets it.................she is driven, goal oriented, and always accomplishes what she sets out to do.
Well, gee, someone obviously taught me to set goals and work to accomplish them.
I finally got around to looking at the Sunday Times and one of the kids from Zoe's school (10 year old boy) got his picture in the paper from the kid's marathon! It's so cool! He's running with his space blanket like a cape behind him.
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Billygoat
((((Rachel))))
I'm so proud of you! And we're not even that close. But I love hearing Life Joys like this...it really is what makes our lives worthwhile, isn't it! I've always wanted to run a marathon just to say that I have, but I have one problem with it. I have to exercise. Blech. Again, congratulations. You should be proud of yourself!
Love and hugs,
Andi
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Mulan
Well, gee, someone obviously taught me to set goals and work to accomplish them.
Hmmm, well okay, You have a point there.
I was actually referring to the "running until you die" thing.
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bikerchic
"What a gal!!!!!!!!!!"
Great job Rachel, hell of a feat!