Where 8-Minute Miles Are Slow

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This past Saturday was the first day to sign up for my track club's Rockin' 'n' Runnin' marathon training program. That all but about 50 of the 500 slots were taken within a six-hour period just goes to show the growing popularity of the marathon and this particular program. It probably helps this is the 10th anniversary for both the training program and the original Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, often credited for better or worse with 'changing the course' of races now full of entertainment and charity runners.

Our coach liked to put us at ease by reminding us that 90 percent of people showing up on race day have no real idea what they are doing. He's got a point, if the first-timers on Saturday are any indication. When each was asked their pace, so they could be placed in the proper group, almost everyone I heard said: "Oh, I'm slow. I run 8-minute miles." Nobody mentioned that 8-minute miles boils down to a 3:30 marathon. That's probably slow to them too. They'll learn soon enough.

This weekend's signup was at Road Runner Sports, a store whose catalog many runners know well. That's me in the sunglasses working the Bibs table with Kryse B. [Thanks to Cindy E. for the photo!] She and I were 2/3 of our relay team on this day last year at our final track workout. Unfortunately, I won't be there tonight since my daughter has a dance recital. Should be interesting to hear all the familiar Christmas tunes wafting into the lobby and hallways of this year's venue -- a Jewish Community Center in LaJolla.

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