I confirmed yet again that endurance is my skill; not speed during a marathon. I al
arathon. I thought I was done for the year (aside from the Seattle 1/2 maratho
nday before at the Seattle ½ marathon). I kept up with the 3:20 pacers until about mile 13
Race spectators were fantastic. They were out in force. I haven’t seen such spectator participation before. There were kids wanting their hands slapped, bands, cheerleaders, event coordinators cheering us on, and a ton of dogs. They readily cheered my name and/or number and it was great motivation.
re in the 7-minute range and I finished with a 48 minute 10K time and 1hr46minute 13.1 mile time (11 minutes faster than my time the Su
The course was advertised as ‘downhill’, but the rolling hills were brutal. I could feel e
e 13 mile marker and know I didn’t have another 13 miles to go. I h
eed running, but rather, excel more at endurance, so for me to pick up speed is not easy.
is also a general contractor and re shanghai massage altor.
gust 3, 2008, in where else, San Fran. This marathon will be a bit different. I will not be going for a PR time (personal best), but for the first
specific miles from a few folks to think beijing massage about them when runn
California International - December 2, 2007
Well, I do have goals, but will keep them close for now; then I only have myself to di
chip off our shoe & congratulation us on our accomplishment. The finish area was well sto
thons and my body feels tired, so choosing the next race will take some time and a lengthy recovery period.
The weather could not have cooperated more in Portland on race day. I had anticipate
ly drained and overjoyed.
und of dozens of pounding feet around us. I love mile 25. I love it so much I always dedicate th
”. I am not sure if I have a time goal, I suppose just setting a PR is my goal.
26 miles, it is actually quite difficult. I am not a sp
use this marathon to stay in running shape to hopefull
is an easy training run. Once I hit mile 24, the rest is an easy jog around my block, etc. I am not sure if I hit a wall this time, nothing like the SeaFair marathon in July. I did struggle in the last 7 miles though.
ento, get up in the wee hours of Sunday morning, bus to the start, stand around in
I made it to Sacramento on Friday to register (online registration had closed & forced to sign-up in person). Got my number, #5439, and wandered the expo. The expos are never that thrilling, same vendors, same crap being sold.
r’ (yes, I talk to myself). However, when the gun goes off, so does my competitive drive and I want to go out guns blazing. This marathon was no exception.
For me, my calves really starting screaming around mile 19 and I had to mentally run the ra
Those who haven’t run don’t realize the emotion a runner feels when they cross under the finish line. It is so overwhelming. I again choked up when I entered the runners chute and all the spectators were cheering me on. I was in agony, mental
Finish: 03:53:13 (PR)
ealized he works three jobs and appears to be very happy and content with life. Not only does he dole out coffee 4 days a week, but he
me that hoped I could run a Boston qualifier, but the reality part of me knew this w
very unprepared. So why run it? Well, why not! I will just take myself down to Sacram
10K: 48 minutes
ve 15 minutes off of my PR (personal best). While that might sound easy over the course of
Overall: Highly recommend this marathon to newbies & adva massage shanghai nced runners (perhaps I will see Mikey’s Mom at the next one 
me that is just relieved to have it over with and to kno massage in shenzhen w I finished, but the other side of me misses the training, the anticipation and the spectacle that leads up to the race. I realize now why I am so quick to sign-up for the next marathon.
ad a great time running with ‘my boys’ from the running group. Thanks to Matt, Je
The California International Marathon (CIM) is just 4 da beijing massage ys, 15 hours away – I feel
Ate my prerace meal around 5pm Saturday; white rice, and tried to get to bed early. Didn’t sleep much that night. Too much tossing and turning and staring at the clock. Woke about 4:20, got ready, headed to the lobby to catch my school bus to
t over. You can almost taste the victory at this poin
Gun went off and so did I. I ran a pretty fast first ½ (for me anyway). My first few miles we
The people you meet in Starbucks…
rathon playlist and have requested
is mile to the most special person; and I did. I was impressed with myself, I remembered ev
very one and they seemed endless. The worst part of the course were the long stretches. You could see forever into the distance and the roads seemed endless. We had great spectator support however…well done and hats off to all those who cheered us on.
sappoint. For those 2 or 3 folks who read this blog and know my prior race tradit
ton is not for me…not if I start out this fast it won’t be.
ions, I have asked my close friends to send me songs that inspire them to add to my ma
time in my marathon career, I will be running with a first-time marathon runner helping to
uld remember him).
as not the race (nor am I quite fast enough yet). I surprised myself however and ran a better than Boston qualifying time up until mile 17. Then, the 3hr 40min pace runner ran by me. I looked up, waved and said massage in shenzhen goodbye to that dream.
d water at every aid stations. I admit having an energy drink & replacement drink made it confusing as to which to take at which mile. At mil
m and it was very shocking to see him at the marathon. I suppose it is a small world.
thon, but what the heck. My goal is to massage beijing qualify for Boston someday and I will
at the start line & the other at the finish).
y qualify at a marathon in January (Phoenix Rock ‘N’ Roll maybe). To qualify, I need to sha
The greatest feeling, aside from crossing the finish line, is seeing mile marker #25. You know you are almost done. I think I run the 24 previous miles just in anticipation of seeing #25. This race was no different. The minute I saw that sign, I kicked it into high gear and ran faster than I thought my body could take me. Then, there was the finish.
The course itself was fairly tame. We had a few hills (namely shenzhen masssage the St James bridge around mile 17), but the majority of the course was flat; which can be almost as brutal (especially on the psyche). Many parts of the course felt very long and runners could see miles ahead; which makes it feel endless.
Marathon #4 on the year is complete (#5 if you count an unofficial run on Mt Rainier in August). I think I can say with confidence this is my last marathon this calendar year. I will admit while running the CIM (California International Marathon) and immediately after, I wondered if it would be my last marathon. Nahhhh, life’s too short to quit now. I am a bit burned out on mara
he California International Marathon on December 2nd (one week after the Seattle 1/2). I
Portland - October 7, 2007
coach them through the finish. I am sure they will be coaching me along the way as well. I think it will be a rewarding and fun experience; less stress too…no worries or pressure of beating previou
uss that quite yet. I will dedicate the race to someone, as I always do.
Seattle 1/2 Marathon / Callifornia International Marathon
Despite the odds leading up to this weekend (sick all week), I finished the Portland Marathon! Yes, I do feel proud of that. That makes marathon #3 on the year; #4 overall.
I had a good training run this past Sunday running the Seattle ½ Marathon. It w
the start. Made it to the start & got in the never ending porta-potty line (a must stop for any runner prior to the start). With about 10 seconds until gun time, I lined up.
o plant. We were quickly greeted with volunteers dr massage shenzhen aping us in space blankets (runners body tem
n Nov 25), but alas, it appears I will have one more left on the year. I signed up to run t
em. I have often sat in this very Starbuc shanghai massage ks and wondered about those around me; the group of mothers who meet regularly, the elderly man who comes in alone with his hand carved wooden vases and the familiar faces I recognize from work.
Sea Fair - July 8, 2007
ened out my breathing. I got my medal, found my entourage and I was done. Another marathon in the bag…
I don’t know why I do these things, but I found myself signing up for another m
d rain showers the entire race. However, we had not a drop of rain, the blue sky peaked out and the sun greeted me around mile 19. We did experience some severe head wind a few places along the course, but all-in-all; the weather was perfect. When I see what occured at the Chicago marathon yesterday - we were indeed very lucky.
The headwinds kicked in around mile 13, but the weather was perfect aside from that (no rain, about 40 degrees at the start). As usual, there were many times I wanted to stop, sit on the side of the road and go no further; but, I perse
ery mile I had dedicated to people along the course and thought about each & every person during those miles.
California International Marathon - Dec 2
The aid stations, for the most part, were great. I could have used a few more in the first half – seemed to be spaced 2 miles apart. The second half aid stations were about every mile. Th shenzhen masssage ey handed out a replacement drink, energy drink an
Well, T-164 days.
Results:
Portland Marathon Finish
I think ‘Team Jana’ colors for this marathon will be blue massage in shanghai. I have my reasons…
am not particularly ready for another mara
s times. My running partner is surely an inspiration and has battled through a lot. This is their victory and I am just glad & humbled to be a part of their journey.
I ran a personal best of 3hrs 53 minutes 52 seconds. I e massage shanghainded up placing 1520 out of 7232 runners (69th in my age division). Having been sick leading up to race day, I was very pleased with this finish. There was a small part of
This morning, I chatted with a guy in line at my Starbucks (Kirkland Bridle Trails Sbux). I had recognized this person as someone who works in the store and has greeted with me a smile many a mornings. His name is Thomas. I admit, prior to our encounter this morning, he was the friendly barista on the other side of the counter who supplied me with my morning fuel. Today, I r
Have you ever wondered about the people around you? You know, the strangers you pass on the street, in the halls, at the store? I often times wonder who they are, what problems they are dealing with, what motivates them and do the
lways tell myself, even if I struggled the entire way, ‘finish strong’). I thin
t hotel (Sheraton) and was surrounded by runners. Every elevator ride had at least an
t. This is also when the spectators are out in force; this marathon was no exception. We had the
He took the time this morning to talk with me. Not the kind of rubbish we normally do when trying to be polite, but we had a conversation. Just reminds me that I should take notice of those around me. Make an effort to recognize th
as my first ½ marathon I have run in and I have to say, it was damn good to see th
es 12 & 18, they handed out honey Gu. In addition to that, gummy bears, bananas and beer were also seen along the course. Yes, I partook in the beer & oddly enough, it gave me the burst of energy I needed during miles 24-finish.
It is always a mixed emotions day - the day after the marathon. There is a huge part of
when I waved them on. Then, the hardest part of the race, around mile 18 I saw my Boston dreams run by when the 3hr40minute pacer passed me. Maybe Bos
r hill is behind me and it is flat & downhill a massage shenzhen fter that. Once I hit mile 19, the rest
ce at that point. I did do a ton of mental running early in the marathon, telling myself mile 17 is my magic mile. Once I hit 17, the last majo
What marathon is next? I am not sure I am ready to say yet. I have two I am deliberating
13.1 Mile: 01:46:49
The nerves had kicked in and I was anxious for Sunday to arrive. I hadn’t trained much for this race; maybe 10+ training runs since the Portland Marathon in early October. I am gluten for punishment I suppose. I stayed in the hos
At the finish, they gave each runner a medal, towel, Portland Marathon pin, rose & a tree t
between. For now, I think I will enjoy this one for a bit. And yes, I am proudly wearing my finishers shirt today 
On a side note, I ran into a guy I knew in col massage beijing lege that I had not se
k I massage in beijing finished a bit too strong as I was having a hard time
d I contemplated waving the paramedics over to get some oxygen, but eventually I ev
getting a breath. My breathing was very shallow an
the 30-40 degree weather, mentally yell at myself for 26.2 mi
National Guard lining the last mile, kids waving flags, adults yelling ‘almost there’ and the so
The people you meet in Starbucks…maybe I will stop, take a moment and try and notice those around me more.
The most beautiful site on any marathon course (aside from the finishers chute) is mile marker #25. Th
So, here it to marathon #5 on the year!
finally signed up for a marathon in 2008. I will be running the San Francisco Marathon on Au
Mt Rainier Epic - August 11, 2007 [unsanctioned marathon]
staying in our hotel and I was lucky enough to have a few elevator rides with them too (basketball players are also very easy to pick out). Even got to ride with Jack Sikma, member of the 1979 Sonics championship team (only true Seattlites wo
y ever stop and wonder the same about massage in shanghai me. Call it egotistical, but we pass so many people on a daily basis it makes me wonder if we are ever noticed.
rry, Bob, Andy & Chul for a great time. A few photos added (the upclose was taken
Today I am not feeling that sore aside from my knees. My iliot massage shenzhen ibian band is acting up again and that is about my only issue.
peratures can drop very quickly), taking the timing
I rounded the corner near the capitol building in Sacramento and I could see the finish line.
en since graduation day 10 years ago. I had always wondered what became of hi
les and then cross the finish line and think “That is why I ran it
cked with food & fluids. Although I took only a bite of a bagel and realized I wasn’t ready to choke down food yet.
Big Sur - April 29, 2007
is is when you know you will make it. After several massage in beijing grueling hours, it is almos
California International Marathon - Completed
ing those portions of the race. I am still working on my dedication, so can’t disc
other marathoner in it (you can pick a marathoner out easily). The Rockets were also
vered and kept telling myself this pain is only temporary and the end is near.
Oh what a site! I pushed myself as hard as I could so as to finish strong (‘finish strong’ I a
