In case you haven’t heard, FL rocked the Las Vegas Marathon and punched her ticket for the 2009 Boston Marathon with a sensational time of 3:37:40. It turned out she really didn’t need my help all that much as she ran her own pace, managed her own fuel/water, focused her own thoughts and pushed herself through the difficult miles all the way to a fantastic finish and marathon PR! I for one am very proud of her as I know how much training, both physical and psychological, it took for her to reach her lofty goals. She went from a broken pelvis in her first marathon to a B.Q. in less than 365 days, for crying out loud. [As an aside…I’m trying to convince her to publish a book about that…it’d be a bestseller!] If ever there was a reason to believe that anything is possible if you are smart, have a good plan, and are willing to work hard, this would be the prime example. It is such a great and inspirational story that I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn't come and got to experience it firsthand. (Please go over, if you haven’t done so already, to congratulate her on a job well done!)
As for my own marathon experience, which is really beside the point as far as this weekend goes, it went as I had predicted. Finishing time was 3:15:09. This was my second slowest marathon finish ever. I had a late start, spent too much time bobbing and weave amidst the crowds and ran the race without a specific goal in mind. At multiple points during the course, whenever I would pass by a fast food place, I would think of sneaking in, grabbing a burger and sitting by the road to wait for FL. I knew she’d kill me though so I didn’t dare bother. I spent the bulk of my race worrying whether she was still on pace or not. I ended the race really struggling today, but just kept reminding myself that this marathon really wasn’t about me – not my pace, not my time, not my finish. There will be other races and marathons for that. I was running today for a higher purpose, and when that purpose came rushing through the finishing line about 20 minutes later, I was emotionally choked up and as happy as a clown because I knew I had done my job this day.
Congrats FL for a fantastic marathon and allowing me to share in the experience of your magic carpet ride through the streets of Las Vegas!
24 comments:
AWESOME report!!! LAM- I would like to think that the "running gods" are smiling at you! The support that you give to others is admirable, "blog-land" is lucky to have you!
That's simply wonderful. So glad you could be there for FL and help her achieve her BQ. You are a truly fantastic coach. Hope you enjoyed your time in Vegas.
Way to go, coach! It is wonderful to be able to support a fellow runner.
Great job Coach!!!
You were a great source of support and encouragement! Nicely done Lam.
Great coaching & support! All runners should all be likewise lucky :)
Nice work, Coach! You should be proud of your role in helping FL achieve her goal.
What an awesome post! It just shows how runners can have so many different goals when it comes to marathoning. Congrats to FL!
That's great that you were able to go out and run it just to have fun without the pressure of hitting a good time. And, that time ain't bad at all. (In fact, it's better than my marathon time when I was trying my hardest.) So, congrats to you both as a coach and as a runner!
Nice work coach!
Congrats to you too! I am a FL reader and I know you have made such a pivitol influence on her life. :) Wonderful race too!
congrats on a great race, and more importantly - helping and inspiring fl to reach her goals!
The whole story is just wonderful! Congrats to you both.
Awesome job. Congrats to you for a great coaching job, and congrats to her.
Congrats on a great coaching job! Of course you had a fantastic athlete to work with! Hope you both had an amazing time. Now let's hear about the post race celebrations and festivities!
Great job, Coach Lam!! I am so happy for both you and FL . . . such a great accomplishment made that much better by the fact that you got to share it together! You both have so much to be proud of! Congrats :)
Nice job! And 3:15 is nothing to shake a packet of Gu at! A nice workmanlike day at the marathon.
So when do we tell them about the Thunder from down Under?
CONGRATS Lam!!! on both the amazing coach job and an awesome marathon!!! 3:15 - no problem :) that is so awesome!
I'm super impressed that 3:15 is no big deal, and even more impressed with your coaching abilities! Makes me want to solicit your coaching efforts...
YAY!!! I'm so glad that she had an amazing run, that your coaching efforts paid off, and that you also were able to partake in the marathon. I enjoyed your report, though I must confess...I can't wait to read hers. :)
Just wanted to say hi -- your blog was recommended by google reader. I actually also read Frayed Laces sometimes, so when I saw her mentioned on your first entry, I had to subscribe!
What a great story! And very selfless. :-) Congrats on yet another marathon!
Great job on your own run and on coaching FL to her BQ, you are an asset to the world of running and blogging!
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