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| verde mingus blowout 10K race |
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| photo courtesy www.verdenews.com |
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| Some people are born to be runners. I am not one of those people. I'm not naturally built for it, and even when I was 15 I was always the slowest, most oafish girl on my high school cross-country team. But running was something I enjoyed anyway, despite my lack of any natural gift for it. About 3 months ago I went down to see my high school pal, Heather, run the Phoenix Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. She gave me her Brooks trainers after the race, and ever since then I have been on the run again. I started off with running about 2 miles a week. Then moved up to running 3 miles, then 3 miles twice a week, then 4 times a week, then adding a longer run on Sunday mornings---sometimes 4 miles, sometimes 5. I signed up to run this 10K in Cottonwood. I was not completely equipped to take this on. I was a bit over my head. My goal was to finish without walking or stopping. In this goal I succeeded, though I came in dead last behind two 80 year old fellows. Those two old dudes won first and second place in their divisions. From this I learned that if I live long enough I can outlive everyone else in my division and maybe win a medal eventually! Endurance in the long run! I averaged about 14 minute miles, which is not fast at all. In comparison the winner of the 10K averaged 5 1/2 minute miles. But considering this was my first organized race since the Autumn 1988 cross country season, and also the longest race I ever ran, I did okay. Thanks to Heather for the inspiration! From running this 10K, I also learned that it isn't about being fast-- it's about sticking with it and not giving up. That is a good lesson about life in general. |
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| John O'Neill won 2nd place in his age division. Way to go John! |
| Team Chihuahua from Clarkdale |
| The race started and finished at Cottonwood's Riverfront Park, snaking through Deadhorse Ranch State Park. The 2 mile "fun run" and 10K both started at the same time. |