LDM 2008

Brian and I traveled to East Mesa this weekend to participate in the Lost Dutchman Marathon events. While none of us actually do the marathon, the whole family participates in three of the five races.
Missing this year was Steve and Denise. Steve, everyone missed your exuberant cheering for the runners. And Denise, I thought about you about a zillion times while I was running (especially the dirt hill at the turnaround - arrgghh - the hill). I forgive you for not being there this year (9 months and 7 days pregnant, after all) but you were sorely missed.
Dale, Barb, dad and Carolee participated in the 2 mile fun run/walk. Barb mentioned after the event that she is interested in walking the 8k next year. (I have to write that down here in case she suffers from amnesia next year.)
I ran the 10k and barely squeaked into a new P/R. I feel really calmly happy about it. Last week, I had a long conversation with myself concerning my expectation that every race will be better than the last, and beating myself up if it's not. It seems to have worked because I didn't even look up my last P/R to compare it with as soon as I got home. Now this is an attitude I can carry with me until I'm 85.
The big news is of course, Brian. We all blew it again and left the race with everyone forgetting that Brian would most definitely be receiving an award at the awards ceremony. He earned himself 2nd in his age division - 4TH OVERALL!!! He's freaking insane! Brian finished the half in 1:24:25 - an average pace of 6:26 per mile. This from a guy who was telling me he wasn't prepared to race this distance.