Two weeks after the BIZZ Johnson Marathon, I was all hyped up at another starting line. There was a group of friends lined up at the start of the Silicon Valley Marathon. I was ready to give it good shot for another attempt to qualify. But I also knew that I might DNF as well. I started out strong and on my target pace. I was tiring quickly and soon I knew that this, too, was not going to be my day to qualify for Boston. My husband, Tom, and the kids were there to take pictures and give race support. My dear friend, Cindy, did the same. I love seeing friendly, familiar faces along the path; it’s so encouraging. One of my friends, Rob, even tried to bring me back to target pace by running with me for a few miles. I just couldn’t hang on to it though. I ran past the 13-mile marker to the track exit to the 2nd half of the marathon and just stopped. I stood there for a couple of minutes before I decided to stop at the half-marathon. Another DNF; this time I wasn’t disappointed in myself. It was crazy to think that my body would be ready for another marathon so soon. My unofficial half-marathon time was 1:58:34.
