Like her or dislike her, I don't really care (and, since this is not a political blog, let's not go in that direction at all). The fact of the matter is, the woman can RUN.
Who? Well, let my post title be your guide: Sarah Palin.
Seriously, the woman can run and run well. I knew that she had run a sub-4 hour marathon back in 2005, when she was 41. But then over this past weekend, she ran a half marathon in Iowa and finished in 1:46:10. That's a nice 8:03 pace. And, to me, somewhat more impressive than the 3:59:36 marathon.
Why? Well, for starters, she's six years older than she was when she ran the marathon and I love it when runners refuse to let aging slow them down. She also had another baby in the ensuing years and you can be sure that I love it when running mamas run well. And, the last thing: She just squeaked in under 4 hours for her marathon. But in that half? Well, she didn't squeak in under anything. She ran way under 2 hours and well under the 1:50 line. Nope, no squeaking there.
So that's got me thinking: What the heck am I doing? I ran my first and only half marathon back in April and totally just squeaked in under 1:50, finishing in 1:49:29. If you're keeping score, that was a full three minutes slower than Palin's time. And Palin is 47 -- a full six years older than me.
The former governor has a good mixture of speed and endurance. Good for her. Really, I'm impressed and a little envious. And I plan to use her.
Use her?
You read me right: I'm going to use Palin's great time as motivation over the last 2.5 weeks of my half marathon training. See, her time -- 1:46-:10 -- is almost exactly the time that I feel I can run. I believe with full confidence that I have a 1:46 half marathon in me. I'd like to go a bit faster than that, sure, but I will be very pleased with 1:46. So, if a busy Sarah Palin -- age 47, mother of 5 kids -- can run 1:46, there is no reason I can't, too.
There you have it, folks. I've successfully managed to make Sarah Palin's good showing in a half marathon about me.
Hey, I take my motivation where I can get it!
So, that's what's next for me: The half marathon in 2.5 weeks, hopefully finishing in 1:46 or better. What's next for Palin? Well, I'd like to see her qualify for Boston, personally. McMillan says she has it in her . . .
Your thoughts? Let me know. Just, please, no hate mail -- or love letters, for that matter -- for writing about Sarah Palin. I'm only concerned with running here.
Have a good day!
~ Felice
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
On Palin's half marathon.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
21 comments:
Go for it. I agree, she's a good runner. She is only 1 yr older than me (or maybe less, not sure when our b'days are) and she kick's my slow butt...
Yes---BEAT SARAH PALIN :)
Amanda -- since I'm 2 for 2 on beating the runners you've picked out for me to beat, I'm hoping all I needed was for you to say it!
Interesting. I never knew she was a runner - let alone a GOOD runner! Go running mommmas! Yay!
Love this! I find ways to hit my goal time this same way sometimes....."well is SHE can do it, I can certainly do it too!" lol It worked for my first half and I'm hoping it will work for my first marathon in a few weeks as well.
I'm glad to see that she is a strong runner...I remember he posing in running gear for some photo shoot and thought it was super cheesy. Not so cheesy when you can back it up!
I think that is wonderful motivation to push for that goal time!
You both are great motivation for me to finish my training strong for my half marathon on 10/9.
I agree - take the motivation wherever you can get it!
I recently PR'd at my 1/2 marathon time, and something that helped me during the race was a mantra playing in my head over and over again:
"It's supposed to hurt when I push"
Have a fantastic 1/2 marathon. Can't wait to read the report :)
Wow, good for her!
While I don't generally encourage comparing ourselves to other runners (so many circumstances and factors!), this sounds like a great way to keep your focus and motivation for your own personal goal.
You can do it, regardless of how fast Sarah Palin runs!
I knew that she ran but not that fast. I am confident that you will BEAT her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact, you will smoke that Half. Unfortunately, I won't see it cuz I'll be finishing several hours after you.
Yeah, I am totally going to push harder in my race this weekend thinking about her time. Agh!
LOL, crush her and take out Oprah in the process....... I wonder how much sleep she gets, oh and what does her chef feed her?????? LOL
Take it and run with it!!!
I love seeing that those of us in our late 40's can get some great race times. Her race time inspires me, too!
@Lisa "It's supposed to hurt when I push" ...I gotta remember that. And I'm nowhere close to that time yet, but it certainly makes me think I can maybe possibly kick it into high gear and PR my half marathon next month even though I'm training for a sprint tri and ramping up bike miles at the same time.
Good luck finishing your training and your race strong!!!
that's awesome! i hope the motivation gets you where you want to go! it's refreshing that a celeb runner other than Oprah is inspiring people!! lol!
It doesn't matter who it is - a celebrity, politician, your everyday mom, a cancer survivor... An ~8:00/mile pace is a very strong half!
As someone who is her age but just took up running a year and a half ago, I find her time inspiring. I was already working towards a 1.45 half time -- and now I'll work even harder.
I knew she ran but I didn't know she is no "just squeak in" kinda runner. :) That 8 min/mile pace is definitely no easy feat!
And yes... use her as a motivation!
The time is impressive. I want to go ad fast or faster than her! Apparently she has been running her whole life though, if you read the RW article. Her dad has run Boston a few times.
I couldn't agree more! When I read about her race I was inspired. I'm not generally a fan of hers, but how can you not at least give credit for this accomplishment. There is only a portion of the population that can run a half marathon, and those who can run it that FAST is even smaller. I give her an insane amount of credit for this. I'm trying to avoid my political comment here about how she should stick to running half marathons....hehe.
Post a Comment