Draggin' Tail Runner
Run Factoids
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Dare to Dream!
As a runner and athlete, one always dreams of going to the “Big Dance”! Football
players go to the Superbowl, triathletes strive for Kona and marathoners dream of
going to the Boston Marathon. Qualifying for Boston has been in my thoughts since I
was able to run and more yet being able to run marathons.
I have “participated” in multiple marathons. Many were the marathon’s inaugural
event. I have more or less been inches from grabbing that golden ring. If I was
supposed to qualify with a 3:25, I ran a 3:28 during the Smokey Mountain Marathon
with the finish line within my sights. My mind was willing but the legs were unable to
help me fulfill my dream. As one ages, the qualifying times become more lenient. My
next hurdle was was 3:30. I managed a 3:31:50 during the Ocala Inaugural Marathon.
Two years ago, I ran the Inaugural Las Vegas Marathon. Twenty Thousand other
runners decided this was not to be my race as well. I was on track for a qualifying time
of 3:45. “Nature’s call” along with multiple Elvis’s and a wedding chapel at mile 5
slowed me to a non-qualifying 3:50. Close but no cigar!!
I recently decided to push one last time for a qualifying time. I was hoping that being
much older might allow me enough leniency in the qualifying times to actually make it.
I needed to attain a 4:00 marathon time. My training included helping my long “old”
time running partner get ready for her Disney Marathon and helping another “Boston-
wannabee” also attempt to qualify for Boston. We did all the distance training in
Sunny Hills. We knew this would prepare us for the task that laid ahead.
The plan was to run a flat, small but well organized marathon. I wanted cool weather
with very little wind. If you are going to dream, set all the criteria! I decided to run the
Tallahassee Marathon. It is close to home, Jay Silvanima directs a great race and the
weather should be great. I felt this was my best shot at Boston!
We wanted to run easy the first half and then try to stay focused on the last half. The
first two miles were way too fast! I felt so good having tapered for 3 weeks that the
pace was a minute and a half faster than our plan called for. We finally got a grip on
the pace. We hit the 10K time with a slight buffer. Everything was going great! At the
half marathon marker, we again hit our goal with a couple minutes to spare. The next
and last check point for us was the 20 mile mark. We wanted to be under 3 hours.
Our efforts had put us there at 2:57. I felt that I could ease in if needed. My legs were
a little tired but not cramping. That was a good thing! With 2.5 miles to go, the fatigue
started to catch up. My fellow Boston bound running partner was saving her energy
for the last couple miles. We stuck close together and at mile 25, she tweaked up the
pace and picked up about 20 seconds on me. I had to push! Finally, the stadium was
in sight. What a beautiful sight!! I could walk from here and still realize my dream. I
kept thinking… we stuck to our plan…everything happened as I had visualized. I
rounded the last curve and pushed to the finish line. 3:54:55! I beat the 4:00 hour
qualifying time! My fellow Boston-wannabee also qualified with a 3:54:25.
I found that by sticking to your plan and working hard, you may be able to also realize
your dreams!
Joe Edgecombe
PR&T President
As a runner and athlete, one always dreams of going to the “Big Dance”! Football
players go to the Superbowl, triathletes strive for Kona and marathoners dream of
going to the Boston Marathon. Qualifying for Boston has been in my thoughts since I
was able to run and more yet being able to run marathons.
I have “participated” in multiple marathons. Many were the marathon’s inaugural
event. I have more or less been inches from grabbing that golden ring. If I was
supposed to qualify with a 3:25, I ran a 3:28 during the Smokey Mountain Marathon
with the finish line within my sights. My mind was willing but the legs were unable to
help me fulfill my dream. As one ages, the qualifying times become more lenient. My
next hurdle was was 3:30. I managed a 3:31:50 during the Ocala Inaugural Marathon.
Two years ago, I ran the Inaugural Las Vegas Marathon. Twenty Thousand other
runners decided this was not to be my race as well. I was on track for a qualifying time
of 3:45. “Nature’s call” along with multiple Elvis’s and a wedding chapel at mile 5
slowed me to a non-qualifying 3:50. Close but no cigar!!
I recently decided to push one last time for a qualifying time. I was hoping that being
much older might allow me enough leniency in the qualifying times to actually make it.
I needed to attain a 4:00 marathon time. My training included helping my long “old”
time running partner get ready for her Disney Marathon and helping another “Boston-
wannabee” also attempt to qualify for Boston. We did all the distance training in
Sunny Hills. We knew this would prepare us for the task that laid ahead.
The plan was to run a flat, small but well organized marathon. I wanted cool weather
with very little wind. If you are going to dream, set all the criteria! I decided to run the
Tallahassee Marathon. It is close to home, Jay Silvanima directs a great race and the
weather should be great. I felt this was my best shot at Boston!
We wanted to run easy the first half and then try to stay focused on the last half. The
first two miles were way too fast! I felt so good having tapered for 3 weeks that the
pace was a minute and a half faster than our plan called for. We finally got a grip on
the pace. We hit the 10K time with a slight buffer. Everything was going great! At the
half marathon marker, we again hit our goal with a couple minutes to spare. The next
and last check point for us was the 20 mile mark. We wanted to be under 3 hours.
Our efforts had put us there at 2:57. I felt that I could ease in if needed. My legs were
a little tired but not cramping. That was a good thing! With 2.5 miles to go, the fatigue
started to catch up. My fellow Boston bound running partner was saving her energy
for the last couple miles. We stuck close together and at mile 25, she tweaked up the
pace and picked up about 20 seconds on me. I had to push! Finally, the stadium was
in sight. What a beautiful sight!! I could walk from here and still realize my dream. I
kept thinking… we stuck to our plan…everything happened as I had visualized. I
rounded the last curve and pushed to the finish line. 3:54:55! I beat the 4:00 hour
qualifying time! My fellow Boston-wannabee also qualified with a 3:54:25.
I found that by sticking to your plan and working hard, you may be able to also realize
your dreams!
Joe Edgecombe
PR&T President
Tricker Trek 10K Run has
good turn out!
good turn out!
Gumby Weckherlin, race
director with his faithful
volunteers...mom, dad, wife
Andrea and his sister Marty.
Great job!
director with his faithful
volunteers...mom, dad, wife
Andrea and his sister Marty.
Great job!
Chris Hough winning the O/A
male prize. Good push at the
end!
male prize. Good push at the
end!
On your mark...get set....GO!
| Amy and Ty Ezell |
Karen and her co-worker, Dan
Bates from the PC Police Dept.
Bates from the PC Police Dept.
Kyu runs hard to capture
Grand masters!
Grand masters!
| Diane sprints to the finish line! |
| Noreen pushes hard! |
Bill Zahler, President of the AARP
runners, passes another youngster!
runners, passes another youngster!
| Ray Bentz on the home stretch. |
Amy, Andrea and Andy set up the
Finishline.
Finishline.
Marty and April's son look at
skeletor!
skeletor!