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Grandma's
Marathon 1999
By
Laura
Murphy - RunMichigan.com!
This spring was a little tough, having to run early in the morning on many days. It is nice to have the run out of the way, but if only I could go to sleep earlier or get a nap during the day, it would be better! Other days were double the work with two runs. My early racing went well, but I was very afraid that I had crossed the line to the "Overtrained Zone" after the Dexter-Ann Arbor 10K. In hindsight, it probably was not the wisest decision to race at the end of a very high mileage week. As it turns out, everything went OK. Watch this space for how to manage to train (or not) for a February marathon in a Michigan winter! While in Duluth, Minnesota, several things impressed me. The race and ancillary events were so well organized and well attended, I had to remind myself that the race was the BIG event! The post race pizza cruise was fun, I especially enjoyed sitting at the Michigan table. There also seemed to be an endless army of volunteers (we all know this is impossible) at every function. Where did they come from in this city of 85,500? Finally, and most impressively, I was awed by the field. Of course, I expected good and even great runners to be there. Sure, I didn't think I'd be the fastest or finish in the money. But I ran 2:48.04 and was 30th!! Ann Stewart ran 2:41 and was 11th woman and 4th in her age group (her quote: "I was the fastest loser today"). A little disappointing on the one hand, but pretty neat on the other hand. It really got me toward the end of the race as you come over a rise, Lemon Drop Hill, at about 21 miles. I was passing people and focusing very much on finishing, so when I got to the top and looked a little ways ahead, I saw women. There had to be 10-15 women within a half of a mile ahead of me and who knows how many behind. Some I passed, some continued to pull away, but most I couldn't keep track of. The strange thing is that the sight of so many women ahead of me and in obvious qualifying range struck me so, after being at the Trials previously. The only resolution I can make to this is that at the Trials I expect to see a whole race of women ahead of me, many of whom have legitimate chances of making the Olympic Team. Here, in Duluth, MN, who would expect such a field of competitors?! Armed with all the knowledge I could obtain about the course and the race, I was still amazed at that particular sight. One other impressive thing that weekend was the performance of Catherine Herne, from Ann Arbor. I met Catherine only once before we roomed together in Duluth, and what I knew of her was mainly through mutual friends. She came to Grandma's to qualify, but didn't and was very disappointed. Her time was 2:53 - still an eight minute PR! I think by the time we went our separate ways on Sunday, she had come to appreciate what she DID do that day. She has more opportunities to try again this fall and I wish her all the best. My three weekends away from kids so far have all been running related and early starts. It is nice to get away and only have myself to worry about for a few days. I just wish I could get a weekend like this when I'm allowed to sleep in!
Laura Murphy does her running in Rochester. She lives there with her husband Mark and their young twins, a daughter and son. After attending Romeo's Powell Middle School, she moved to Buffalo, New York, where she graduated from High School. She went on to compete in Track and Cross Country at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She moved to Michigan in 1989. Laura holds a Master's Degree in Labor Relations. Her current full-time job is being a Mom to her 2 year old twins. |
