Jogging vs. Running

I've been called a jogger before and it makes me see red. I'm not a jogger, I'm a runner. I found this quote in Runner's World Magazine and I thought Miles put it so well. He describes the difference between a Runner and a Jogger. It's not the time that makes the difference, it's the heart involved. Happy Running!

Why do so many runners dislike being called joggers?

Jogging implies that you lack passion and commitment, that you're out there on the road in $130 running shoes simply for show, that you could take the sport or leave it (and often do leave it). Ask any runner, and he or she will tell you that we run with passion, we run to push our limits and to live healthier lives, we run races not because we think we'll win but to be members of a larger community. Most important, whether we clock six-minute or 12-minute miles, we don't jog - we run.

Ask Miles – June 2008
Runner’s World

Big Sur Marathon - April 27, 2008

Big Sur is officially my favorite marathon. Incredibley beautiful and fun to run. Here are a few pictures from the marathon. I surprised myself and finished in 4 hours 46 minutes and 47 seconds. This course has a 6 hour time limit on it, because we are running on HWY 1 (PCH) they have to be able to reopen the roads that afternoon. I woke up at 3am, caught the bus at 4:30am, and started the race at 6:50am. It was a long day but so rewarding. I can't wait for the marathon in 2009. I will definitely be there! ENJOY!


Anna and Becca at mile 18


Becca enjoying an orange


Becca excited to be finished! Thanks to Fernando (Anna's husband) for taking this photo.


Becca and Anna with our medals


Becca and Anna finishing strong!


We just finished and are glad to be walking for the first time in hours!

Super excited about our fantastic times.

Fernando (Anna's husband), Anna, and Becca.

What a wonderful day. Big Sur is my 5th and favorite marathon!

More Pictures

Mile 19


My back at mile 19



Excited to be done!


Lesli, Becca, and Christine


Anna and Becca

A Few Pictures from the LA Marathon!

Here are a few pictures from the marathon yesterday. It was a hard race for me but I still beat my time from last year by 6 minutes. My finishing time was 4 hours and 42 minutes. I'm proud of that and being able to run my 4th marathon!


Anna and I at the finish line with our medals.


Some of the runners at mile 3.


My parents came to cheer me on at mile 19!


Anna and I at the LA Marathon Expo.

MORE TO COME...

2008 Beijing Olympics

Did you realize the Olympics are this year!? The opening ceremony is 08/08/08. Go ahead say the date out loud, it just rolls off the tongue. Ryan Hall is the guy to watch during the marathon this year. He won the Men's Olympic Trials back on November 3, 2007...and I mean he wooooon. He lead the pack and finished a good two minutes in front of the second place winner. Runner's World Magazine said that when you watch Ryan run it's like you're seeing his soul pop out. Amen to that, the guy IS running...mind, body, and soul.

One of the ladies I run with has a son who made t-shirts in support of Ryan and his quest to Beijing in August. I bought mine on Saturday and wore it proudly all day. If you want to check out the website, here it is www.ryanhall2008.com. The t-shirt is $16 and part of the proceeds go to two charities, World Vision and the Ryan Shay Memorial Fund. (Ryan Shay was a fellow marathon runner who passed away during the Olympic trials last year.)

So I hope you'll be watching the Olympics in August. I know I will! I also love watching the sprinters do their thing. I read once that if the short distance sprinters could keep their pace for a whole mile, they would finish it in about 2 and a half minutes. That, as far as we know, is totally impossible. As of today the fastest mile time is 3:43:13, run by Hicham El Guerrouj from Morocco on July 7, 1999. That is pretty darn amazing, especially since I've never run a mile faster than 8 minutes.

Keep up the good work out there. Run, dance, swim, walk, whatever... just get out there and do the thang!

Only 11 Days Left...

The LA Marathon is less than 2 weeks away! I don't think it has hit me yet that I'll be running my 4th marathon in a few days. I've been feeling really good during my long runs, which gives me confidence for LA. The biggest factor that can make or break my marathon time is the weather. I am so used to 50 - 60 degree weather, anything above 70 degrees is too hot. Last year at the LA Marathon temps were reaching the 80's by mid-day, it was way too hot! So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed we have cooler weather this year.

For fun, if you want to track me during the marathon on March 2nd you can at www.lamarathon.com Just type in my Last Name: Williams and my Bib number: 20468. They've had this feature in the past so I'm assuming they'll have it again this year. If I remember correctly they record our times at the following distances: 5K, 10K, half-marathon (13.1 miles), mile 18, and the finish. The race starts at 8:15am and I'm hoping to run it in 4 hours and 30 minutes. Also I like to carry my cell phone with me during the race, so if you have my number feel free to call. It's always so encouraging to hear a friendly voice! Thanks for all your encouragement along the way, I really appreciate it. And don't forget we have the Big Sur Marathon to look forward to on April 27, 2008! Say it with me now..."We LOVE Marathons!"

20 Miler and a Lunch Time 5K

Last Saturday we ran our final 20 miler before the marathon...and it was the best one yet! I finished it 12 minutes faster than the last one we ran. I am on pace to finish the marathon in 4 hours and 25 minutes! If the weather cooperates and everything goes right I could PR at LA this year. I'm very excited and encouraged for the race...it's only 22 days away.

I went on another lunch time run today, it is so beautiful outside! I was just going to run on the treadmill, but thankfully I was able to go outside. Amgen is pushed back next to some great hills, so it's fun to walk right out the front door of a company with about 8,000 employees and feel like I'm miles from nowhere. And I feel so hard core running in the middle of the day. HaHa. Other runners are out there, in the hottest part of the day, sweatin together giving each other a wave or a thumbs up, ahh...there's nothin' like it!

It definitely feels like Spring outside, or maybe even summer. I'm sitting here at my desk enjoying my Orange Oasis post-run smoothie, just enjoying the moment. But the clock is ticking and I have a meeting in... 2 minutes. Back to the real world I go. Happy Running!!