Water Station from Deanna

On my birthday I was running along when much to my surprise I saw my good friend Deanna standing behind a water station like the ones you pass on a race. She had ice water set out for me and a birthday banner. My very own elite water station with sharkies for me to refuel on too!

I was not expecting this and almost ran right past her! I barely looked up and noticed her as I was passing the water station. It was a fun surprise!

We later found out that a guy we know told his wife that Deanna was running a lemonade stand- at 6am! We teased Deanna that she must be really hard up for a little extra cash!

I had a really great birthday and was greatful for friends to run with me, water me, dress me in new wicking run apparel and send me Dean Karnazes books and video from Utah!

What a great day! Thanks all!

New Girl

Sarah, Barb, Cynthia, Lindy, Karen, Lisa, Sara.

During last saturday's run, a girl joined our group for just the last mile or two. I thought maybe Julie had invited her to meet up with us. She seemed to know Julie. I added her to our email list and invited her this week. This week she told me the story...Julie hadnt invited her. She only recognized Julie after she had already latched onto our group. She said that she was running, and heard us behind her. We sounded like we were having a good time. She was in need of a running social network, and we sounded like a fun one. So she jumped right in.

I feel that we do have allot of fun, especially on saturday mornings! So I am glad that Sara found us. Because she seems like a really neat addition to the club! Its like a party on wheels!

We also have another recent addition- Barbara Moss. She runs on Vibram Five Fingers. She is also a fun addition to the group! I met her in my daughter's t-ball, while Lisa and Cynthia met her in PTA. It was meant to be.

Running girls are generally kindred spirits:)

Ps. As you might have noticed from the picture, wicking sweatbands are the TOTALLY cool running accessory right now!!!

A Memorial Day Half

I ran the Striders Memorial Day Half-Marathon yesterday and had a good run. This is my second time so I knew what to expect - an out and back course and pretty flat. I woke up at 4:45 a.m. and arrived at the start/finish at 6:00 a.m. to pick-up my bib, shirt and timing chip.

The director started the race at 6:45 and we were off. A girl and I started running in sync with each other and stayed together for the first three miles. After mile three, she dropped back and I picked-up two male runners and stayed with them until mile seven where I dropped back a bit but still kept them within eyesight. In this small of a race, it was nice to have someone help me keep pace. I wore my Big Sur shirt and as I passed a group of runners, I heard one of them say, "That's the race I really want to do!"

As I came to mile 11.5, the course crosses the entrance of the parking lot. As I was running I heard, "Go Marcie!" and looked up to see my mom, nieces and nephew in the car just pulling into the parking lot. They were coming to see me finish. Great timing! They parked the car and found the finish line in time to see me finish in 1:46:45. A new PR.

There were a total of 193 runners that ran the half. I came in 5th out of 41 in my age division, 11th out of all 95 females and 46th out of the total 193 runners.