All it takes is all you've got

That is a great workout - did you get it from your coach? Are you still training for the championships in Houston?

Ya, I train with a group http://www.runningrepublic.com/

in Boulder. Coach DeReuck knows his stuff and has helped a lot of people get faster. He also coaches a larger more recreational group, http://www.boulderstriders.com/

He just notified me today that he got me a comp entry into the USATF half marathon championships in Houston on January 17th, so I am for sure going now. Yeah!

That's great about Houston. If you can hit 1:15:00, you can get your OTQ without having to bother with a marathon. I know that sounds like kind of a stretch, but with the drop in elevation, the thick competition, and having a few months of good coaching (which it sounds like you're getting), it's certainly in the realm of possibility!

I've always wanted to do this race, but didn't want to go unless I knew I could be 6 flat pace on a flat half marathon. Perhaps next year? It will be killer competition, always is, and you'll likely surprise yourself because of the competition, and the altitude, and fast course. I am jealous in the best of ways. Here's to hoping I am just behind Nan by one year ;) BTW, I heard a They Might Be Giants song last weekend and thought of you, not sure I'll ever hear one of their songs without the association to your rockin-out-family.

Paul-Yeah my goal is sub 1:15 and I think it is definitely feasible with the fast field pulling me along in Houston. Funny, I didn't even realize that a sub 1:15 half would qualify me for the trials, I just thought that would be a good goal on the path towards sub 2:39. I think I'm capable of "A" standard (sub 2:39) if all goes well in Boston.

Michelle-TMBG kids albums rock, huh? You should get them for your kids. You too, Paul! OH, and I definitely think you can be right there with me in another year, Michelle.

The 'giants kid's DVD is great. I've seen it, but don't own it.

Yeah, 1:15 is just a "B" standard, so you'll want 2:39 anyway, but it could at least take some pressure off and allow you to let loose and go for broke in Boston.

Good point.

Note that January 17th is a Sunday.

If you want to run a non-Sunday half with competition around that time, there is one on January 9th in Irvine, CA. Winning time last year was 1:14:12, and it was "Mary Akok" which I think is a typo, really Mary Akor.

I did not see anything specific in the way of prizes, but it must have some sort of under the table awards. Simon Sawe never comes otherwise. Also, I imagine the race director would give you a comp and maybe even a hotel if you are lucky.

Awesome workout, Nan. Maybe one of these days I'll get brave and immitate one of your workouts at my own pace.

Nan, thanks for the kindness, but my talent isn't there. . .I'm hoping for a 1:18 eventually.

My brother who lives in Boulder runs with the Boulder striders. they have a group coached by Darren preparing for Boston. I think his wife is one of, if not the best masters woman marathoner in the country right now ? I come to Boulder every year to run the Bolder Boulder. If you are planning on running it let me know and maybe we can meet at the start and/or finish. I have an "A" wave qualifier and am looking to do well in my age group, maybe run in 37-37:15 if possible . Maybe I can try to keep up with you for awhile if you decide to run?

Sasha-Thanks for your thoughts. I definitely don't want to get in the habit of racing on Sunday but I do think the USA Half Marathon Championships on January 17th is a key race for me and I feel good about going. With the top 15 girls all going sub 1:15 last year its by far the most competitive half I could enter this year and will be a huge confidence builder going into Boston. If I'm ever going to catch those "lionesses" I need to take the best opportunities to chase 'em down and rid myself of that "baby lioness" title.

Rooster-There is a good chance I'll be doing the Bolder Boulder on Memorial Day too. We'll definitely have to run some miles together.

Nan - habit begins with a precedent. In this case, even if the precedent did not turn into a habit, the precedent in and of itself is bad enough. Your ability to teach your children to obey the prophet and keep the Sabbath day holy will be greatly diminished. Even if this was the only opportunity to prove yourself in a race against the big girls, it would still not be worth it.

Thankfully, though, the Lord did not make things so hard as to reduce a faithful Latter-Day Saint to running in local races only, and gives us plenty of opportunity to prove ourselves without running on Sunday. Boston, Country Music, and Grandma's have plenty of competition.

Redrooster - it does? What does it exactly say?

Redrooster - the handbook is not a public record, and I do not have a calling that gives me access to it. Actually, I am not sure if it is even appropriate to discuss it in a public forum, but since the subject came up. I have a hard time reconciling the numerous talks in General Conference, everything I've read in lesson manuals and church magazines with the fact that a Handbook of Instructions would discuss exceptions to the rule in such a way. In a General Conference talk you will always hear about exceptions for jobs such as a doctor, police, officer or firefighter. You'll hear about situations when the employer requires you to work on Sunday in other non-life essential circumstances, with the recommendation to find a different job. I've never heard of exceptions for a professional athlete, and not even a hint that an athlete that does not depend on the income from his performance would be excused to participate in his event on Sunday.

Now explain to me how you would deal with this. Your kid reads a story in Friend about how a soccer player star refused to play on Sunday in spite of the pressure. Then he asks - Dad, why did you race on Sunday? Are you going to show him page 34 lines 7-8, and explain you did it because the race was not being offered on another day?

Sasha, I wasn't referring to any official handbook, just my own handbook I have created in my own head for my own perceived set of rules/guidelines. I never intended to link the comment to any official handbook by any particular organization, I have never seen or read any such official handbooks. Sorry for the confusion.

Nan- best of luck in Houston. Go kick some major butt! We'll all be rooting for you.

the "lioness" shalane flanagan will be there. chase her down :)

i think this is a great opportunity for you. go for it.