I've reconnected with local running ladies and am on the super secret texting list to tag along for Saturday long runs. I almost ran with these marathoners... then I almost ran with Maureen (who ended up doing 16, good grief)... but I only wanted to run 8 miles.
Karen suggested we run with the Runner Chick Training Club, which we affectionately call Kelly's group. Kelly trains new and experienced runners twice a year for a spring and fall 10k/half. Last Saturday was the first of their official training runs, the last one where non paying crashers can join in for free.
We met at Road Runner Sports in Tualatin. Karen, Kathy and I ran towards Cook Park. Two and a half miles out, two and a half back. We had to be back for the group meeting at 9am, as Kathy was pacing a group for Kelly.
I was bummed that the pre run meeting took half an hour. It was neat to hear about the program (I might have to train with them in the fall) and all of the camaraderie the group offers. Kelly is a great leader, funny and educated.
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| Crasher's view of the meeting. Kelly's standing on a chair, filling us in. |
However, I was completely cooled down by the time we started running. But the rain had passed.
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| A neat group of ladies. I'm in the back row, 4th from the right. |
Karen and I crashed the pre run picture as well. That's how we roll. After active stretching across the parking lot, we ran out for a mile and a half, then back.
I finished the morning with 8.11 miles/1:26:18. I finished strong with the group.
Karen and I ended the morning at Starbucks. Iced tea and chonga bagels with cream cheese, of course.
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I did feel guilty, crashing the group, knowing I wasn't able to join the club. However, Kelly is always so nice and welcoming.
I no longer have to feel bad. Yesterday, Kelly invited Karen and me to be pacers this Saturday for the group's 4 mile run. Hehe. I am kind of excited...never been a pacer before. I plan to be over this illness and able to run 4 miles at 11:00 pace by Saturday. I am happy to be able to help Kelly out, maybe she'll let me crash one of their longer runs later in the spring.
Have you ever been a pacer for a training group or race?
8 comments:
Pacing is awesome! I paced a half marathon/marathon training program for a year and a half. It was a wonderful experience and made me a much better runner!
I'm glad you have a local running group you can join now & then! That's awesome! We live in Podunk and don't have that option...
Sarah
www.thinfluenced.com
Sounds like a really fun group of ladies! You will be a great pacer and I am sure a huge inspiration to a lot of those women.
Last night was my first night as a running mentor at Fleet Feet for newbie half marathoners and Bloomsday 12k runners. It was a lot of fun. Still not sure why they are trusting me with all of these novices. LOL. :-)
Cool! I did her half training group last year. At least until I did something nasty to my Achilles tendon and had to rehab it.
I think you should always feel ok testing out a group for free at least once...like you said it may not work right now, but if you found it was great then you would look for a way to work it in the future.
Sure hope you feel better soon!
If I hadn't run with Maureen I was planning to show up at Road Runner last Saturday. I don't want to train with them, but I was curious. Glad to know that I have a "pacer friend" whose brain I can pick! :)
Feel better girly. We need to run together -- and I promise not to try and make you run 16, or 18, or 20. . .
Glad to hear you are feeling better! Pacing sounds like fun!
THat's awesome! I think it would be fun to be a pacer. Hope you are feeling good by Sat.
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