Patience; the new endurance sport.

Hey Luz! Just read your blogs the last three days!

First, I am super bummed for you and Catherine.

Second, I'm so happy you camped in southeastern Utah and saw the Forest Gump sign. I'm going to be running Goblin Valley 50K this Sat. I don't think I want to stop running. I mean I see people with one leg run, people with no legs race UP Vejo in hand-cycle and wheelchairs.

Third, Sorry Ogden is already sold out!

I think you should run the National Marathon in DC on March 26 with Catherine. I have always wanted to run that marathon...but it's too close to Boston and really can't justify all the travel expense! Just my 2 cents. I wouldn't want to bandit Boston, for me, b/c it's like a crown jewel for me. For you and Catherine it is a different story though! :)

What if I sign up for the grand slam? Would they have to let me in then? That's a great idea about the National Marathon. My first comment to Catherine after the Boston debacle, was "let's do Marine Corp!" , But a March marathon would be better and we would have accomodations with my sis in Alexandria. Also, DC is closer to Knoxville than Boston. I'll go to Boston anyway because of my group of friends--whether or not I run any portion of the course or not. But I don't think it would be a good idea for Catherine, she should REALLY get to run it. She deserves to have the 100% experience. I'm devestated for her, we were so hoping to go together.

I am not sure if Wasatch Running Center (Grand Slam admin. Darrell) has any pull on Ogden. Darrell sent out an email to urge us to sign up for Ogden ASAP and that we're not getting any discount, blah blah blah. This year Ogden (Ogden'10) didn't have me on their registration list b/c I sent in my registration FORM last year w/ the Grand Slam discount. They have become so big and popular that they don't care about any sponsorship from local running stores and don't want to bother with paper registration, etc! They wouldn't care if they're included in the Utah Grand Slam or not! Very sad!

I hate to say this, but Zion Bank might have some spots since they're the big sponsor. So if you are a valued customer of Zion...you may want to talk to them. I will not in a million years ask for sponsorship from Zion (b/c hubby works for Wells Fargo.) Last year, McKay Dee also has some spots...you may want to check w/ them. The VIP spots are still available for a whopping $300. It's outrageous!

What's with all these people running marathons nowadays?! Don't they know it'll ruin their knees and they can die? ;)

The Marine Corp is a good one, but it's on Sunday. You know how I feel about running on Sunday. So I think the National Marathon is a good draw for you and Catherine to run together especially with the perks you mentioned. GOOD LUCK! I do think Catherine should run her very first Boston with her own qualifying bib! :)

OK, I've got an in with the high ups at Zions (dont' tell Pres. Smooth). I'm doing that now and keeping my fingers crossed. I've just emailed Darrel to find out about the Slam, it says there's no info till Nov 1? I do need to just get signed up for that because I'm so bad about signing up on time. Do you have the info on the National is it this one? http://www.nationalmarathon.com/

Yep, that's the one!

Glad you know some big wig at Zions! Larry knows them, they're ALMOST as nice as him! :)

Don't forget to sign up for the Slam. You can fax it in. They did it by lottery this year...lame!

NOne of them are half as nice as him....but hey, it's time to brown-nose. What the slam is a lottery? I lose, I keep loosing. Where do I get the sign up? I emailed him a minute ago, because I couldnt' find where to sign up-- where do I get the sign up sheet? See? Without Catherine pushing me around, I have no idea what I'm doing.

P.S. I won't adulterate Catherine. I will still go to Boston, on account of my dear friends that live there (and our other friend who will be running this year). Catherine will have to wait. Unfortunately, I will have to requalify, which may not happen again until I'm 45 and in a new AG!

WRC will have a link to print out the registration form (looks like by Nov 1). We either mail it in or fax it in. That's how they've done it in the past. This year they made it a lottery but I think anyone who wanted to got in. No worries! You will get in the Slam.

Really? You have to re-qualify for Boston 12? K, then you have lotsa opportunities. UVM is a good one to BQ.

I did see the Nov. 1st date, but no link. I'll put it on my blackberry to remind me to check back on the deadline. Yes, I'd have to requalify for Boston. I'm not as consistent as you/not willing to work that hard all of the time. That was one of the reasons missing the sign up for Boston was so bitter for me. I was only going to keep Cath company, since she missed it last year. I did not run as hard this year as I did in '08- '09. Aside from Boston (I had to work really hard for the sub 4), I'v been tired since last November, anemic unto death, and the move practically destroyed my life. Then I didn't get in to St. George--or Boston. Cath is convinced she'll never go to Boston because she wants to focus on getting pregnant again this year. It's just a bummer time for the both of us. I'll plug along for Ogden/Grand Slam and see what Cath thinks about National Marathon. Thanks for all the tips!