this weekend i ran my last race of the year. Ridgecrest is what it is known as because that is where it is located. it is also called High Desert 50k/30k.The day happened to be picture perfect and just a bit on the chilly side, something like the inside of the freezer.
my miles had been very low since Javalina because i had irritated the back of my knee, but starting out i felt great.
i had fun running with friends for the first half but by mile 16 i was developing a blister, a casualty from JJ. the second half George ran much better and pulled me along. i was expecting a fun last 10 miles which happens to be my favorite part of the course but instead found myself working hard just to meet my goal.
coming into the final aid station i got a little choked up. the end of a race can do that to me. the last mile, George would not let me take a break. it seems that i was at my "break quota" so on we kept trying to go. the happiest sight was turning the corner and hitting the street to see Jo and Erik (who we happened to be the house guests of) waiting for us and cheering us in. that was so nice since my own family could not be there.
my goal was to come in under 7 and we hit the finish line in 6:58. i think i lost 15 minutes due to blister fixing and problems but otherwise it felt really good. George has run a race every weekend since Javalina and still had the energy to get me running a little faster every time that i thought it was not possible.
2007 is done and finished. many times George and i had shown up at the starting line wearing the same thing. gotta smile though, what are girlfriends for???
thanks friend for all you have done for me this year!!!
also a shout out to my friends who will be running Western States in 08 - Beanie Pat, Meredeth Murphy, Chell-b, Hwa Ja... as for me, i hand delivered my race entry to John Bozung, RD for Squaw Peak. this was my first choice for a June race this year so things worked out really well for me anyway. Pat and Meredeth both got into Western on their first try. Pat had just finished his first 100 miler in San Diego just two months ago. i am very excited for you both, you have no idea how special this is and i will see you there.
10 comments:
I have been following you for the last year or so and you have been such an inspiration to me.Wow you ran three 100 mile races and all those other races you did.You are very successful in all you attempt and I am so impressed by you I think I am ready to start in this sport of ultrarunning.
Ahhhhhh Another race completed ..What an amazing Year Leigh Congrats!!
and I love this part of ur report--LOL -- it seems that i was at my "break quota"
That George always knows when to GO or when to give u a little break and sounds like it was GO TIME ;-)
COngrats again to both u and George!!
Good to have you home. Congrats on another finish and the end of a very successful 2007!
thank you friends, it's been an amazing year. can't wait to see what 08 is like. i have met so many wonderful people and they have all been an inspiration to me. good luck "anonymous" you have some wonderful days ahead just waiting for you, go out there and find them! :)
good you will rest now and get ready for the adventure of a life time:)
MDS!
Sometimes in life you stumble into someone that makes an impact in your life. YOu are jsut such a person. You seem to run into walls now and then but you never let it keep you down.
There are givers and takers in this world and you are a giver. It is easy to see what a person really is by the friends they keep and more accurately by what they do. YOu seem to always be out there, running or if not running then supporting someone else. I admire that and anyone who watches what you do will know the type of person you are, no matter what any other person says.
Best wishes for '08 and I will be watching you with great interest.
Hi Friend,
Another race on the books!! What a year you have had, you are like the energizer bunny- you just keep going and going...
Shari
Best wishes for '08 and I will be watching you with great interest.
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thank you for your kind words! my good friend slojms once asked me what would be better, "to have lots and lots of superficial friends? or a few very good ones?" that has stuck with me ever since and i have felt very fortunate to have made some wonderful friends in this sport. you have met some of them here. i have learned from them. and what i have learned is this... to have a friend you must be a friend.
shari! girlfriend, when are we going to do lunch?
Hi turbo!
Thanks for letting me tag along on that frigid Saturday morning workout on the plateau with you and George. I had a great time. You and George are excellent company and I will definitely plan on getting out there more to run with you guys. Thanks for all the great info on WS and your wonderful optimism.
See you!
Pat
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