CARLSBAD MARATHON - 10,000 RUNNERS

Anna & Sue at Mile 3

In case you didn't know, there is an annual Carlsbad Marathon that sells out in October.  Yes, I signed up for the half marathon.  This is my first half marathon (and it may be my last.).  I arrived in California (or Calli as my niece Kelsey calls it)  on Jan 7 and on Jan 8th I did the 8 mile practice run with my trainer   (you may recognize my trainer from the famous Classy Career Girl blog).  Frankly, she is my trainer because I think she realized that working full time and taking 10 credits to finish up her MBA at the University of Calif  San Diego was a bit much.  Soooo she must have decided that  the challenge of running with a 65 year old lady in her first marathon would allow her to finish and if it happened to be in  last place she would have a good excuse.  To be honest, I am really excited about running/walking in a marathon with my incredible daughter.  She really has inspired me and I would not be attempting a half marathon without her. 
The first 8 mile practice (the race is 13.1 miles but who cares)  was not exactly pleasant for me and my feet were a burning.  Not good to have sore feet.  Well, I went to Movin Shoes and they advised me to get NON cotton socks (I had been wearing double cotton socks)  and it seemed to have done the trick  that is for the next 8 mile practice on Jan 15th.

    "My doctor told me jogging could add years to my life.  I think he was right.  I
      feel 10 years older already."
             -Comedian Milton Berle (1908-2002)   
 
Today is the first day after the first half marathon of my life.  I feel great so I guess it was good.  My left foot started burning again at 8 miles so I stopped and changed my socks on three occasions to get through the end and it really helped.  I owe the "bring extra non-cotton socks"  idea to the walking.about.com website.

Here are some tidbits about the other runners.  First and foremost my trainer Anna who would have preferred to do more running, especially toward the end - she said that running is actually easier on her legs then walking - this might be true.  Running also means you get to the end earlier which also makes some sense. (She couldn't convince me to run  more and I think she thought she needed to keep an eye on me.)   Then there was my son-in-law John who decided to run the race like a jack rabbit - not a bad idea until the last few miles when I don't think he even knew he was still running.   Then there was the guy who was completing his 100th marathon on his 60th birthday. A blind woman who was faster than me. The oldest participant was age 87 and the youngest was 12.  I'm not sure who finished last but it wasn't me (at least not this year). 

Anna & Sue at Finishing Line (I let her finish ahead of me)