Barb T.

So frustrating! Better days ahead!

Hey there friend...yeah you Sno...don't think too many others check out my blog. I saw on your response to tout le monde that you talked a bit about weight. When I was thinking about the BQ for me and I've narrowed it down to 2 key factors that helped me to shave 29 minutes off my previous time. First, my mileage base went from about 35 miles a week to between 50 and 60 miles a week. The second factor was some weight loss. I worked to drop about 5-7 pounds during the 6 months prior to the race this summer. Race day I was about 6 pounds lighter than previous marathons. So, don't know where you're at with your weight, but it was definitely a key factor for me. I'm 5'5" and right now am about 132. Race day I was 127. I'm going to try to get back to 125-127 over the next several months. I've been a bum and enjoying food! Anyway...thanks for the comment and have a GREAT day! I would post my run today but I left my GARMIN at home with my 'history' of the run :-)

Merci, mon ami! C'est vrai - je sais!!! I have always thought that a BQ would be more attainable at my "dream weight." I'm not saying what that weight is - lol! But it's less than 10 pounds away.

That nagging suspicion does continue to plague me: that I am just "not worthy" -- I'm not trying to be dramatic or self-pitying but the qualifying standards were created for a reason: they only want a certain sort of athlete to come to Boston and I do question whether I'm that sort. I don't have the "no pain no gain" work ethic. ;)

But back to the weight issue... As I'm sure you know, we are in the minority at our age, to be as slender as we are (at least in the states - I don't know about Africa). I'm not making excuses but with people saying how "skinny" I am all the time I think I get lolled into complacency and lose my drive to get to the weight I want. But all you have to do is go up stairs carrying ten pounds of laundry and you can see what a drag it creates.

So THANK YOU for sharing your experience. I know it will give me hope and motivation. Since I already eat low-carb, all I have to do is cut back portions a little and the weight does come off. I just need the inspiration to do it! The higher mileage part is easy, since that's my preference anyway.

It's also very kind of you to bring it up over here on your blog, where we are more "private." lol

Are you running SF next summer again? And are you going to Boston in April? Again, many thanks!

Ha...YOU ARE WORTHY! I can still hear the voice of my brother-in-law saying "you can do it Barb, you can do it...you'll see". I have NO doubt you'll get there...in time.

Well, I found out last weekend that a church that supports us in AZ is buying my ticket to run Boston!!!! I still can't believe it. So, yes, I will be running the Boston. I have to admit that I REALLY wanted you to qualify for selfish reasons...would have been fun to meet you there! And yes, I will do the SF marathon as well. That's usually the only marathon I get in every year. My brother and family live out that way so it's nice to see them and have the "goal" of running another marathon. Up for a hilly marathon in 2011?

Thank you so much for the encouragement!

That is so cool about the Boston "sponsorship!" Are you missionaries? (Will you still be my friend when you find out I'm a "Jewish" atheist? I'll be yours!)

The fact that you BQ'd on that hilly course is even more impressive! I know SF very well (lived there for a year in 1980), and would LOVE to run it. I worry about the hills, and also the potential heat (with my nausea issue). How did you find the hills? I like the fact that the course seems pretty flat in the last miles. I do well on hills, but when they come after mile 20 they often "do me in."

Well hey there my 'still' friend :-) YES! You can still be my friend even though you're a Jewish atheist! I suppose I could say that I'm you're adopted gentile sister :-) How's that one! Anyway, yes, my husband and I are missionaries. I was actually out here as a single for quite a few years and met my Dutch husband here. So, life is always an adventure here and it's NEVER dull.

Anyway, problem with nausea hey. I get that when I get overheated. I make sure I start the SFM marathon as close to the gun as possible so that I can finish before the sun breaks through! I usually cheat in that I try to get in an early wave, so I give a faster time that I could ever run so that I can start earlier :-) The hills on the course are tough but doable. If you're used to hills I think you would do fine. The course isn't too hilly the last 2-3 miles. I find that I ritually feel pretty good and strong until the last 2-3 miles. It was ONLY gut wrenching determination that got me to the finish line this summer. I had an 'angel' that ran up next to me the last 3 miles...60+ year old guy name Gale and he just kept me going and encouraging me. So, my personal opinion... I think you need to plan to do the SFM in 2011!

Alright, my sister! Let's do it! They don't have the exact date up on the website as far as I can see, and I have to clear this with Mr. Sno once they do. But I think it would be a lot of fun, even though I may get a slow time from the hills or the potential heat. But as I described on my blog, I'm tired of picking every marathon with the sole purpose of finding that BQ.

Does the starting corral really make a big difference? Is the race really huge? I will need advice when it's time to register.

Correction - looks like it's to be July 31, though registration is not open yet.

Oh my goodness! Sorry to keep posting but I just saw this: http://www.thesfmarathon.com/the-race/start-wave-times.php So the first thing that strikes me is: "the race starts before 6? Really?!? Yay!!!!!" Secondly, That's a big delay between waves, but I guess not out of the ordinary for such a large field. So I'm wondering if a fib of 3:44 would be about right? What do you usually enter?

Later that same day.... Oh dear! - I see now that the SF marathon takes place the same weekend as the World Harp Congress in Vancouver, to which I have already somewhat committed myself. It's a big event and to have it practically in my backyard is a precious opportunity. I will have to make it 2012 then. :(

Well, as I looked and followed your comments in my email inbox, I went from excitement to oh bummer in a matter of minutes. That would have been fun, but like you said, maybe in 2012. So, you're a harpist. Cool! I'm a former violinist. Haven't played much in many years, but before hitting college I had to choose between pursuing athletics or being a violinist...I went into athletics. BUT, I still have a love for music that runs deep. Hits my soul.

FYI, re: wave for the SFM...I try to get in wave 2 :-) There's a big difference finishing at 10 rather than 11!

later that day....I just wanted to say 'later that day' :-)

I am bummed too! I am having a really hard time picking 2011 marathons. The only one I KNOW I want to run is CIM in December 2011. SF looked like perfect timing, and I would really enjoy meeting you.

Once a violinist, always a violinist! My husband is a very good violinist (not for a living); that's how we met actually.

Wave 2 - I'm not sure I have the guts to line up for that (imposter syndrome). But I will if you will! lol

OK,this past year I signed up for wave 3 and thought I'd sneak into wave 2 (that's what I've done in the past). BUT, I couldn't get away with it this time! My brother had signed up for wave 2 (he ran the half and his time was around 2:30, so you can imagine that he did fudge a bit). Wave 3 worked out fine, but it was tough thinking...it better not get too hot! There are LOTS of runners in this marathon and half marathon, and signing up for whatever wave is just paperwork...so it seems anyway. I'm planning on signing up for wave 2 for 2011!

As insane as it sounds, I have a "future planning" calendar for events up to 5 years in advance. I'm putting "SF Marathon, wave 2" on my 2012 page!!!

well, if I remember correctly you're an INTJ? Is that right? If so, I would expect nothing less than to plan your life out for the next 5 years! I'm more of a 'P' so I might need a reminder that I'm running that marathon :-)

I understand. Mr. Sno is a P. lol