Good Luck, Jennifer Robertson

[billpierce]

Jennifer ( jrobertson98 ) is running the Sarasota Marathon next Sunday, 3/2. Her goal is a Boston qualifying time of 3:45. She had a tremendous training season with some incredibly fast race results to prove that she is ready. Join me in wishing her good luck and a great race.

[cfoam4me]

Good luck Jennifer, have an awesome race!

[like2bike]

Jennifer is it obvious that you have worked VERY hard to prepare for this event and that you are indeed ready. Here's wishing you the very best of luck for this upcoming event. Please let us know how you do when it's over. I've no doubt you will reach your goal.

[Pink]

Jennifer, how exciting! Run a good race and may the wind be at your back!

[jsejt]

Have fun! Good luck.

[musicgal28]

Best of luck! I know you can do it!!! Keep us posted!

[megale3]

Gods speed~:)

[SpinBob]

Jennifer,
I know how hard you've been working, I know you'll reach your goal!

[jrobertson98]

WOW...I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and butterflies in my stomach! Thank you all so much for thinking of me and sending me your good luck wishes and vibes!!!!!!:D I will need it and keep them coming...especially next Sunday morning (March 2nd)!

I want to thank Bill from the bottom of my heart for helping me with this training season! I feel so ready and prepared thanks to his help and motivation! It has been a long 4 1/2 months of blood, sweat and tears (OK...maybe not blood but it sounds better:rolleyes:) and I'm so ready to take this course by storm!!

When :D I qualify for Boston in April 2009, I will be meeting up with Bill there and taking him out for a big thank you pre-race dinner!! I can't wait Bill!

I miss you all and am sorry I haven't been on in a while! I'm currently deeply engrossed in my Master's Program in Exercise Science, training, being a mom, wife...oh yeah and work!!! :o I need some Calgon!!!

Thank you all again and I will definitely post next Sunday how the race went! Boston here I come!! I'm also doing my "Boston Race" ride tomorrow! I did it last year for fun...but this year it has more meaning! I will post it in a separate thread in case anyone wants to use it this week or next month when Boston 2008 is going on!

Jennifer

[tracik]

Good Luck, Jennifer! It sounds like you are really ready! Boston used to be a big goal for me (I got within minutes but never actually qualified) but once I got immersed in triathlon, it kind of went by the wayside. When I hear about people like you really going for it, it definitely makes me consider it again...

Your Boston ride sounds like a cool idea! Can't wait to see it.

Now go get 'em!!!!

[joyofspin]

Jennifer - greatest of luck to you. How is the the MS program going? I have been so busy this semester I don't have time to breathe. I am still about a year away from deciding if I will embark on the Masters. You will have to fill me in on the details and your opinion of the courses. Have a great race a a beautiful qualifying time.

[Funhog]

Wow Jennifer,

sounds like you have a lot to write in your Gratitude Journal, even before the event! I will be thinking of you next week and am so convinced that you will reach your goals, whatever they are!

My best friend ran her first marathon last weekend, and did it in 3:43, so she'll be in Boston as well. She's amazing, as are you - maybe you guys can hook up.

Sending a Big cyber hug to you!

Jennifer Sage

[billpierce]

Wow Jennifer,

sounds like you have a lot to write in your Gratitude Journal, even before the event! I will be thinking of you next week and am so convinced that you will reach your goals, whatever they are!

My best friend ran her first marathon last weekend, and did it in 3:43, so she'll be in Boston as well. She's amazing, as are you - maybe you guys can hook up.

Sending a Big cyber hug to you!

Jennifer Sage

Jennifer -

Was it the New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon or somewhere else? I know that it couldn't have been local since you're probably surrounded by snow drifts.

It's tremendous that she qualified in her first marathon. It makes it sound easy, which it isn't. We have people in our running group who have done that and other people who have run dozens and will never qualify. I'm fortunate to have done it several times and hopefully next year Jennifer Robertson will be joining your friend and I at the start in Hopkinton.

[Funhog]

Yup we're pretty snowed in up here - got 9" more last night. Had an awesome ski day at Breckenridge yesterday!

My friend flew to Ft Lauderdale for the marathon. I think I am only just now realizing how amazing it was to have qualified on her first marathon. Especially since she was practically walking the last mile or two!

Boy, I wonder if I could come out to Boston to cheer you all on - I could always find some "business" reason to fly out there.

[lriggin]

Good luck, Jennifer! I wish you a fast, injury-free race. Let us know how you do!

[jrobertson98]

Wow Jennifer! That is amazing your friend qualified in her first marathon! That is awesome and very inspiring! I would love to meet her and it would be really cool if you came to cheer us on in Boston next April!!!!!!!:D Yes...my gratitude journal is getting its fill!! I'm surrounding myself with positive thoughts every moment of the day!

You know what's really funny?? I didn't want to tell Bill this and/or say it out loud because of the added pressure...haha...but I've had several dreams that my time was a 3:43!! And that was your friend's time!! How ironic!!:rolleyes:

I've been resting, stretching and am feeling good!!! Thank you all so much for your thoughts and kind words of encouragement! I will definitely need them! We have a very large bridge that they have put at mile 21 this year!!:o At least that will give me the practice I need for "Heartbreak Hill"!!!:wink:

I'll keep you all posted!

Jennifer

[jrobertson98]

Well it wasn't due to lack of support and love from all my family and friends...but I missed qualifying for Boston by ONE MINUTE!!!!:( I still had a great race and was strong until the end!!

I took 20 minutes off my time from last year and came in 2nd in my age group! Thank you all again for all your support and encouragement!! It meant the world to have you all behind me!!

I want to thank Bill again for helping me the last 5 months and making me a MUCH stronger and faster runner!! I've already found another race later in the year to do in West Palm Beach to qualify for Boston in 2009!!! I will get there!!!!!!!!!
:D

Thank you all again-
Jennifer

[billpierce]

I took 20 minutes off my time from last year and came in 2nd in my age group!



Improving your time by 20 minutes and 2nd place in AG is all sweet. What Jennifer didn't mention about her results is that the course may have been long. They changed it from the previous year and her GPS wrist watch read 26.6 miles, as did other runners'. If that's accurate, she ran a Boston qualifying time for the marathon distance.

It's kind of weird to be proud of someone that you've never met, but I'm incredibly proud of Jennifer. She trained incredibly hard and had a phenomenal race. I'm very fortunate to have worked with someone so committed to a goal. There is no doubt in my mind that she'll achieve all of her objectives, from getting her Masters to being in Boston in 2009.

[SpinBob]

What Jennifer didn't mention about her results is that the course may have been long. They changed it from the previous year and her GPS wrist watch read 26.6 miles, as did other runners'. If that's accurate, she ran a Boston qualifying time for the marathon distance.This seems like it would affect a lot of people. Is there any way to get the race committee to get an independant verification of the distance?

[like2bike]

Well it wasn't due to lack of support and love from all my family and friends...but I missed qualifying for Boston by ONE MINUTE!!!!:( I still had a great race and was strong until the end!!

I took 20 minutes off my time from last year and came in 2nd in my age group! Thank you all again for all your support and encouragement!! It meant the world to have you all behind me!!

I want to thank Bill again for helping me the last 5 months and making me a MUCH stronger and faster runner!! I've already found another race later in the year to do in West Palm Beach to qualify for Boston in 2009!!! I will get there!!!!!!!!!
:D

Thank you all again-
Jennifer

Was thinking about you this weekend sending positive vibes. Sounds like you did wonderfully. I'm sorry you missed qualifying but the fact that you took 20 minutes off your time from last year is in itself, an incredible feat. You are one determined gal. There's not a doubt in my mind that you'll get there. Look at what you've already accomplished.

[sandy]

Well it wasn't due to lack of support and love from all my family and friends...but I missed qualifying for Boston by ONE MINUTE!!!!:( I still had a great race and was strong until the end!!

I took 20 minutes off my time from last year and came in 2nd in my age group! Thank you all again for all your support and encouragement!! It meant the world to have you all behind me!!

I want to thank Bill again for helping me the last 5 months and making me a MUCH stronger and faster runner!! I've already found another race later in the year to do in West Palm Beach to qualify for Boston in 2009!!! I will get there!!!!!!!!!
:D

Thank you all again-
Jennifer


Congratulations! That is awesome.

[jrobertson98]

Thank you Bill!!:D I wanted so badly to call you from the finish line elated that I qualified...but I still never expected 2nd in my age group either so it was a great day!

Well, my determination (or should I say stubbornness) is what I rely on! I've already contacted the race director and sent out an email to my local running club to start varifying how many people got a "long" reading of the race!

So far, I've received 3 emails in less than an hour verifying what I already feel is true! I battle with this because honestly I don't want to be "that" person that stirs up trouble and take away from the people that still qualified even if the course was long!? So, we'll see what happens!

I am also going to look into how I can contact BAA (Boston Athletics Association) about how a course is certified?! I've had people tell me that some courses purposely run long so it's not "under" 26.2 and therefore wouldn't count as a qualifier! But, I do know that they supposedly have to go through a special process to get a "certified" qualifying course! Although as Bill mentioned, this is the first year with this new course route and it was very different and challenging!

I'll keep you all posted!:rolleyes:
JR

[billpierce]

This seems like it would affect a lot of people. Is there any way to get the race committee to get an independant verification of the distance?

Bob -

Having been involved in a marathon (the since demised Chicago Lakeshore Marathon) a couple of years ago which made national news because it was 27.2 miles, I have some ideas on how to help Jennifer with this situation. The issue is Jennifer's relationship with the race and it's management if she makes a big stink about it and what BAA will do if it's shown to be long.

[Funhog]

Jennifer,

no matter the outcome, whether you file a request for a review of the distance or not, you are still a HUGE WINNER!! Your time is amazing, 20-min off your previous time was incredible, and we are all so proud of you.

And you will be at Boston in 2009 regardless!

Keep us posted!

Jennifer

[SpinBob]

Bob -

Having been involved in a marathon (the since demised Chicago Lakeshore Marathon) a couple of years ago which made national news because it was 27.2 miles, I have some ideas on how to help Jennifer with this situation. The issue is Jennifer's relationship with the race and it's management if she makes a big stink about it and what BAA will do if it's shown to be long.I totally understand, Bill, I'm sure if anyone can help, without ruffling the wrong feathers, you can.

[monical1]

Jennifer, I wasn't aware this was happening and I missed being able to wish you luck before the race. It appears to me, however, that luck you did not need. A fair and proper course would have been nice, but not luck. Your tenacity amazes me. Not just in this race but in everything you tackle, yes, I said tackle. You really have a fighter's spirit and soul, Jennifer. I am proud of you, too, and feel like one of the fortunate few to have met you face to face. I get to say, "Hey! I gave that girl music and she took my class once!" Thanks for the privelage, Jennifer. I could never run a marathon, I accept that and I salute anyone who can. I salute you, Jennifer!!!!

[Lucy]

Jennifer -

Congratulations on a wonderful finish! Good luck with Boston.

Any advice for a beginner marathoner? I'm planning on running my first marathon next February (26.2 w/Donna Nat'l Breast Cancer Marathon in Jacksonville, FL). I did the half this year plus the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in January. I have 5 half marathons under my belt and feel ready to tackle the whole.

[SpinBob]

Lucy,
Jennifer is a great source of marathon info, but so is Bill Pierce, I suggest PMing them and then you can pick their brains via email.

[billpierce]

Jennifer -

Congratulations on a wonderful finish! Good luck with Boston.

Any advice for a beginner marathoner? I'm planning on running my first marathon next February (26.2 w/Donna Nat'l Breast Cancer Marathon in Jacksonville, FL). I did the half this year plus the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in January. I have 5 half marathons under my belt and feel ready to tackle the whole.

Lucy -

I've offered to help anyone on this board with distance running related questions. I've personally done 25 marathons plus 2 ultras. I lead and coach a marathon training group whose members have cumulatively completed over 600 marathons. I do the Indoor Cycling thing as cross training and because I love music, but my true passion is distance running. Feel free to pm me for suggestions - from simple questions to a complete program - when the time is right. If you're looking at a 2/09 race, you can wait until October of this year before starting training. You probably need a base of 20 miles per week, and the ability to run 8 miles, when you are ready to start.

[joyofspin]

Jennifer - so it sounds like all in all a great race time. Sorry it did not qualify you but hopefully you will reach that goal soon. I am still here rooting for you!

[Lucy]

Thanks Bill - I will keep your offer in mind throughout the year. I may be a slow runner but I get the job done and am excited about this next challenge. :)

[one cent]

Jennifer - so it sounds like all in all a great race time. Sorry it did not qualify you but hopefully you will reach that goal soon. I am still here rooting for you!

Ditto!
Keep us posted on what the race director says as well as the BAA.

[one cent]

Bill where do you lead your marathon training group?

My husband and I completed Richmond in November - I am no where near Jennifer's time - but we are hoping to make Miami in '09 our next. I would be intersted if you are in our neck of the woods!

[billpierce]

Bill where do you lead your marathon training group?

My husband and I completed Richmond in November - I am no where near Jennifer's time - but we are hoping to make Miami in '09 our next. I would be intersted if you are in our neck of the woods!


Penny -

I'm in Chicago. We run in the northern suburbs, sometimes along Lake Michigan. Feel free to PM me with general questions or requesting a specific program when you start training for Miami. Good luck on Sunday.

[one cent]

I was hoping you were close to the northern Virginia area.I might take you up on you offer though - Richmond was difficult and did not go according to plan. It was most certainly a reality check!
And Thank you for the luck. . . I am euphoric and paranoid at the same time!:o

[SpinBob]

You'll do just fine on Sunday, my friend. :)