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Finishing the Carlsbad Marathon, 2009 (3:33)		I started running in 2005. Previously, I had a heart defect which prevented me from running more than half a mile. But in February 2005, I had open-heart surgery and got a brand-new, artificial aortic valve. A cardiac rehab program taught me some basics of fitness. Then, at the pub, where many foolish things happen, I rashly mentioned to my friends that I might try training towards a marathon. Well, that backfired. In a panic, my friends joined the San Diego Track Club's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon training program, so I had to too. We spent six months training for the big event and learned many excuses for not running. However, the big day came and we retrospectively had fun running 26.2 miles in 4+ hours. For two weeks afterwards, I just sat around. So, to keep some level of fitness, I signed up for more races. Now I have to acknowledge that, until some other hobby comes along, I'm a runner.

Half Marathons Run 2009 2008 2007 2006 Carlsbad 1:42 1:52 2:04 San Dieguito 1:39 1:54 La Jolla 1:49 America's Finest City 1:42 1:42 1:56 1:57 Silver Strand 1:33 1:46

Full Marathons Run 2009 2008 2007 2006 Carlsbad 3:33 Rock 'n' Roll (San Diego) 3:35 3:48 3:46 4:17 Long Beach 3:31 3:40 Athlinks

2006 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (San Diego)

Time: 4:16:54.

Hot and muggy, but rock bands every mile. Click here for my moment of fame with the San Diego Track Club.

Me, A1 (Andy Cunningham), A2 (Andy Harris), and Ron (Seager).

2006 Scripps Ranch 10K

With Jennie

2007 Carlsbad Half Marathon

In training (left to right): Me, Erica, Andy Oliver, Phil, A2, Lori, and A1. Finishing just ahead of A2.

2007 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (San Diego)

Time: 3:46:21.

Had good, cloudy weather and fast start, but keeping an empty stomach proved a poor idea and I hit "the wall" early. Still, the mantra of "don't stop" got me to my first sub-four-hour time. That got me place number 40 out of 259 in the track club.

2008 Carlsbad Half Marathon

1:42

2008 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (San Diego)

3:38:20

Trained with the San Diego Track Club (see my moments of fame: 1, 2, 3). Ran with A1 (Andy Cunningham), A2 (Andy Harris) Phil (Shorter) and Julio (Cordioli). Met Ken, Vladek, Will, Bob, Deana and others.

2008 America's Finest City Half Marathon

1:42

2008 Long Beach Marathon

3:40. I made my second concerted effort to get a Boston qualifying time, but to no avail. Things were great for the first 20 miles but I hit the wall and had to walk the last six miles.

2008 Silver Strand Half Marathon

1:46. A nice location but brutal weather, running into the sun and an 84° Santa Ana wind. On top of that I had a terrible stomach bug -- but you don't want to know about that. Still, it was great to jump in the ocean afterwards.

2009 Carlsbad Marathon

3:33. My third attempt at a Boston qualifying time came up short. This time I made it to mile 23 before fading.

2009 San Dieguito Half Marathon

1:39. Decided to go for it, full pelt the whole way to scrape in under 1:40 for the first time.

2009 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (San Diego)

3:35. The hardest I've ever worked. Nothing went wrong, I guess I'm just not fit enough to do my goal of 3:30 (this was my fourth attempt). Started fading at mile 17 and used every bit of mental energy to meet my B-plan of not stopping for the first time in a marathon.

What's Next?

Long Beach in October 2009, for my fifth attempt at a Boston qualifying time of 3:30. One day I'll get this right.

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