FINALLY DONE!!!  YEAH!!!

This story starts weeks before the big race, OUR big race...The training runs from Mike's Swift feet store were fun. So many MM'ers showed up 9 days before the race and stuffed some 1750 packets!  The YMCA appreciated that greatly - thank you for attending and making our club look so good.  

Then Steve Orth got the BIG AWARD for the weekend, The Al Clark Award.  Only one person gets the award from all the potential candidates.  The award is not just for running the WRM race.  It is for helping others and community involvement and helping with our environment.  It was so cool that Steve won and it was fun roasting Steve JUST a little.  Steve's family was there (we snuck and told them so they would know in advance and of course they showed - Steve has a very close family and that's a lot more important than being a fast runner!).

The race morning had it's normal crazy events...my buddy Jeff Kathan from Minneapolis did the early start, his 6th straight WRM marathon entry and finish!  We had to get up at 4AM to get Jeff to the 5AM early start.  They had about 45 early marathon starters and 190 overall in the marathon this year!!! 

I missed the half marathon start - needed to give Dave Zelman a little assist as he forgot his chip/shoes at home...no problem Laura (RD) helped get that fixed quickly. 

They had a bunch in the 2M start this year...overall I heard 1981 entries for all the events??  SO CLOSE TO 2000!  This should be a record for number of entries.  

Several of the races shaped up to be very competitive events. Sunny skies, fairly cool temps and a little less wind made for a potentially bigtime day and it was..here are some of the stories...

We were pulling for Rob Turpin to win the 10K, a herculean effort would be needed since he ran the Boston marathin in 3:05 just 12 days before. Rob gave it his all - winning his age class in 40 mins..a couple young speedburners beat him overall but who cares - they were half his age! 

Lyndsey Golden was returning to defend her marathon championship - I got to talk to Lyndsey in length. She is from San Diego with her parents living here.  She has trained with us and won the women's 10K at Chino last fall.   But along comes Amy Hobson who won our 10K in Skull Valley a few weeks ago and Amy won the WRM marahon just a couple years earlier.   Jessica Owen who keeps getting better was trying the WRM marathon for the first time - she did super!

The men's marathon was up for grabs as far as we knew (little did we know) with Dan Koch from Havasu on a Triathalon quest. 

Deb Kathan and Veronica Zelman wanted to win the 2M fun run...LOL----OH THE DRAMA!!

Dan Munsell and Steve Orth took off and ran together the entire half marathon but Chris Bray was the hot story.  Chris seperated himself from 2 other smoking fast half'ers on the hills of Hassayampa and finished 2nd in 1:25!  Chris ran with us on the RAGNAR team a few years ago and he of the "low key/down low" demeanor kicked some serious butt as he normally does. 

Sara Siegel was my inspiration for the day.  Since recently joining our group, she has improved and improved and improved. Sara rarely misses our Thurs runs, our weekend runs and joining Rob and I for speedwork on Tuesdays too.  It won't be long till I won't be able to keep up with her as dedicated youth will eventually trump "old age" and yet I will be more proud of her than anyone else in our club.  Inspite of these darn allergies/breathing problems around here right now, she hung in and just missed her goal time.  

Individual times:

Marathon Distance

Lyndesy Golden 3:44 - 3rd overall woman and 1st in her age class.  Another stellar performance!

Jessica Owen 4:20 - Did someone tell me that Jessica just ran her first marathon earlier this year? Jessica was a star on the Swift Feet/MM'er Ragnar team this year.  On the improve too....look out local runners...

John Fink also from the Ragnar team ran his first marathon ever (who would pick this crazy race to start with??) in a very fine 4:48!

Christina Robertson 5:11 - Christina friends to many of us ran a 5:11 as she was preparing for a big race in Colorado.  Concert pianist (I can barely spell it) and teacher.  And one heck of a runner too.  

Jeff Kathan - 6:04 6 year finisher (in a row).  Jeff is my main man.  Jeff has run marathons in just over 3 hours so we know he can run if wants to...he shows up with almost no training and I have not a clue how he does this.  OR WHY???  LOL. Last month Jeff ran the Boston Marathon 5K in good time. 

Half Marathon Distance

Chris Bray (1:25) was the star - BIGTIME.  I may even start calling him "BIGTIME" because he can certainly bring it.  Chris ran on our Ragnar team a couple years back and he is my banker so I have to give him press so he doesn't spend all my money.

Ursula Hanna 1:36 - Ursula please accept my apologies for calling you "Serena" as we passed...I had a brain anuerism. Ursula is on the rise again and after having babies and since she ran with us a few years ago - several of us know she is a "Wolf" in "Model's clothing"!!  She is also super nice until the gun goes off then you may just want to get our of her way so you won't be embarrassed.  Good to see Ursula back! 

Sarah Eastman of Ragnar's back, flew home in 1:57.  I see Sarah training in my neighborhood and I kinda guessed that she would go fast.   Guess I really didn't really need to see her training to know she would GO FAST.

Patrick Schutte from the Ragnar team ran a 1:58.  Patrick is on the WRM board and one of the cities most consistent runners. 

Len McGee (my main real estate star and friend) ran a fine 2:01.  I also have to give Len some kudos in case I need him to sell my place on a reduced commission schedule...LOL

Kam (The man) Hott was exactly that finishing the half in 2:06.  Kam is also on the rise - look out.  He runs in those shoeless sock-like things (Da-Feet)??  Kam has been training fast!!

Kathy Dahl a former MM'er ran another really good WRM race in 2:13!

Dan Munsell and Steve Orth hung together and also ran 2:13's!  Steve did the "Power" finish he is famous for!  I think Dan bagged it and let Steve have his day!  LOL

Darla Criddle who we met at Embry Riddle ran a fine 2:15 and her buddy Laura Eaton finished in 2:31.   Laura is heading up the "Creeks" run this fall a new race that started last summer. 

Sue Lewis was aslo in the house at 2:20.  I have been bugging Sue (she runs with the morning group) to come and join the PM group.  She has like 350 kids or something like that so she has an excuse but I think we will see her soon...if nice was fast...she would run a 2:08 marathon.  

Stephanie Fricke who has been in our Sunday AM WRM training runs ran a 2:51 in her fist half (I am pretty sure).  Good job Stephanie!  

10K

Rob "Turpen-time" Turpin was indeed on-time firing off a 40 Minute 10K just 12 days after running Boston in 3:05 while resting and only training once, maybe twice in those 12 days.   Rob pulled together a strong finish and late pass to just win his age class!  For one of the very few times - Rob said he wanted to "Bag it" less than 2 miles into the run but he hung in there and picked up more medals. I probably want to bag half my runs?  Sometimes I do!!  Rob is supertough and if it is possible, getting faster???

Serena Lackey finished first woman and of course age class winner too.  Serena also living in San Diego now used to run with us and she is a bullet too...good job Serena!! 

Jim Pullaro returning from ankle/leg injuries ran a fine 58 minute 10K.  Good to see Jim on the mend! 

Deb Cowell took a little time off from trial preparation to finish 2nd in her age class in 1:02.  YEAH DEB!!

And Deb's hubby John Poggendore finished just behind in 1:04. There is marriage and there are races.  The 2 need to be kept seperate and when you are faster - FLAUNT IT!!  

Diane Polk one of our newest members ran a fine 1:13!  Way to go Diane and welcome to the MM'ers...(I bowl against hubby Don)...

Sara Siegel running her first major 10K (Skull Valley was too small to count) ran a 1:16!  Sara is also improving quickly.  

Your author also ran a 1:16 pacing Sara.  Maybe Sara was really pacing me and I slowed her down???? UGH!!

Dave Zelman who has been with us a for a few months now ran a 1:12.  Dave had some distractions in forgetting his lighter shoes and chip but he stuck it out.  Dave had the priviledge to run the Boston Marathon 5K last month in a good time with 5000 runners...his first major race!

Karyn Hott fighting off injuries ran a 1:26.  Karyn (and Kam) is a regular in our 10K training runs and our Thurs Peavine runs. 

John Erickson our resident race walker covered 10K in 1:37.

Laurie Carr another recent addition to our group walked a 2:07!

Deborah Kathan and Veronica Zelman hustled through the 2 Miler...since no records are kept, we will call them the winners!!!!

ANOTHER BIG YEAR FOR OUR GROUP!  If I missed anyone or erred in any way - please let me know...And thanks again for the volunteer work - it was duly noted by Jessica Leary who we hope will end up the race director for next year with the departure of Laura.