Last Breath of Winter VA 5K – Dayton OH – 03.10.2007

This race was the first opportunity for my husband and I to run an event together, and even more exciting…it was his first race ever. We both went out with modest goals-me to use it as a training run for an upcoming half, him to finish with a sub 30 time, which we both did. The course of rolling hills was through the VA medical center park and memorium in Dayton, OH- a fun charity event to support the local VA. I ran for my late father who served in VietNam and my grandmother who was hospitalized at the time and is still ill. I couldn’t be happier for Andy who has battled running in the past but is striving to improve since his job (US Navy) requires it. He ran hard, finished strong, and didn’t kill me along the way for all the stupid motivating things I kept spouting at him! At the end of the day, he finished 3rd in his age group and I finished 2nd in mine…both of us coming in in the middle of the pack. We’re both a bit like Steve at Phedipp[idations]….just middle of the packers out there for the experience! Thanks to everyone for their support, it was a great run and we’re both looking forward to the next one!

Race Bib Info
Last Breath of Winter VA 5K
5k Road Race
Dayton, OH
March 10, 2007

Your Official Time: 28:41 (for us both)
Was this a Personal Record (PR)? : No for Sam, Yes for Andy
Did you win an award? : Yes…Sam-2nd in age group, Andy-3rd in age group

submitted by Samantha Simons

Walt Disney Marathon – Orlando FL – 01.07.2007

Running Bib Info:
Walt Disney World Marathon
Marathon – 26.2 miles
Orlando, FL
January 7, 2007

Official Time: 5:47:26
Personal Record (PR)? Yes (1st marathon ever)
Did you win an award? A Mickey Mouse head medal and a strong feeling of accomplishment for finishing my first marathon.
I have been training for the marathon since July 2006 and blogging on my training experience since August 2006. The journey has been nothing less than incredible. You can read about the race on my blog at: http://marathonchris.blogspot.com/2007/01/today-i-became-marathoner.html

Submitted by marathonchris.

Tiberias Marathon – Tiberias Israel – 01.04.2007

This was the 30th annual Tiberias International Marathon, which runs from Tiberias on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee around the southern shore to En Gev which is on the opposite shore, and back. It runs past the traditional Baptism site of Jesus on the Jordan River as well as military relics from the 1967 6-day war. It is unique in that it is the only marathon in Israel, and is entirely below sea level. It is mostly flat but this year (2007) we faced ferocious winds off the Golan Heights on the eastern shore of the sea. It was certainly the most memorable marathon that I have run. Mal James (gazarunning) was kind enough to let me ride along with him to the Tiberias International Marathon, 4 January 2007. That was only possible because we met through Phedippidations.

The two blue stripes on the ribbon reflect the national flag of Israel (this is the only marathon held in Israel and it is a point of pride for them), and they represent the two bodies of water that Israel lies between, the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River (Mal told me this). This isn’t a political statement or anything, it’s just the only example I can remember of a race medal where the ribbon actually had symbolic meaning and I thought that was interesting.

Running Bib Info:
Tiberias Marathon
Municipality of Tiberias (Israel)
January 04, 2007

Official Time: 4:04:01 (unofficial, at this point)
Offical Race Website is at: http://www.tiberias-marathon.co.il/en

Read more at Mal’s Race Report on his Blog: Point 1 of 1 percent

Submitted by Russ Johnson