Pacing

In Columbia this weekend, there was the first Columbia Marathon. The last time a marathon was here, was for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Trials Marathon back in 1996 and 2000. The course was two loops and went up every hill in Columbia. I didn't run the race, but I was a pacer. I was supposed to pace the 3:15 marathon group, which is a 7:27 pace. Another pacer and I started at mile 11, to get the feel of the group. I don't know how runners finished the two loops; we were struggling after just doing one loop. I realized that the few guys around us starting slowing down, so I did the same. I don't know how much I helped them, but I could just feel their pain. I wanted to lend them some roller blades, which still would have been tough on these hills. I kind of regret not doing the race, since it was in Columbia, but I did enjoy being there for some of the other runners in the Columbia area. There were a few things that needed to be fixed, but that's what happens on the first year of a marathon, maybe next year I'll consider doing it! (my body DOES NOT like HILLS though)

Another cool part about the race was I knew the winner!!! She is actually blind in one eye and can only see a little bit in the other eye. A few of the guys I run with ran with her. She is one of the best people you will ever meet. I have only talked to her a few times, but I just can't imagine running without being able to see. She runs the same 1.5 mile loop around her neighborhood in order to train. She does come to several of the races, but her mom and husband drive her around the course to make sure she knows where she is going. When you see her run, it really makes you think about the love of running and makes me want to dream big! The picture below is her and Frank (he ran with her the second half of the marathon), just one word comes to mind, "Awesome".