Karen B. in the D.C. Cherry Blossom 10-Miler, April 2002
Ran a 65:25!  Wow!

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Competitive to the core, I began running my junior year in  High School to prove to a friend that my USS swimming workouts were much harder than our HS track practices.  I had to beat her in the mile.  I did and thus began my running career.  During HS, I ran haphazardly still focusing on swimming.  Once I left for college however, I started running a bit more regularly to keep in shape.  I had had enough of counting tiles on the bottom of pools.

I ran my first marathon at the urging of my sister.  In late September 1990 she asked me to run the Columbus Marathon - I was born in Columbus (Ohio) and we had lived there until I was 10, but hadn't been back for a visit since 1984.  My Mom didn't want us to go back unless we had a reason.  Well, here was our reason.  I had 6 weeks to "train."  I ran approx. 25 miles per week and did a "long" run of 12 miles.  I was 18 years old and had no idea what I was getting into.  I was quite nervous at the start since the week before an 18 year old girl had collapsed and died during the Marine Corps Marathon.  She had been a previous swimmer as well.  While waiting at the start I spoke with a middle aged man.  After listening to my training, he flatly told me I'd never finish and that I would hurt worse than I ever had in my life.  That got me fired up.  I WOULD finish.  I had planned to run the marathon in 4:30 and told my sister to be at the finish at 12:00pm (4:00) just in case I did better than I thought.  Well, I did better than I thought. I felt great and chatted the entire time.  After 19-20 miles someone asked me, "aren't you tired yet?"  "No, should I be?" At mile 20, a man on his bike started riding beside me - I was the <20 female leader.  What a feeling having the crowds pick up their cheering tenfold as you pass by.  I finished the marathon in gun time of 3:36 winning my age group.  I was hooked.

Since then I have run 10 marathon, including 2 Bostons ('96, '00).  After Steven was born in '98 I decided to try to run faster, but not as often as time was of the essence.  Well, my plan worked as I broke my PR in the 5K in May of 99 - a PR that had stood for 7 years.   Since then I have lowered all of my PRs.  Probably my strongest race was the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in 2002, where I ran a 65:25.  Also, I am now a consistent 19 minute 5Ker - a level that I thought I would never see.  I love to train hard, but am limited to just a few races outside the local 5K series since I don't like to leave my family behind all Saturday morning.

In the spring of 1999, I stumbled onto the Runners World forums.  Not only have I learned a great deal about the sport of running, I have met some incredible people.  I now consider some of them to be my best friends.  I have met several of them in person thus far and hope to meet more in the near future.   They've helped to me push my limits, but also be grateful for all that I have been given.

Want to see Karen B's family?
http://pws.gamewood.net/%7Ekablack/index.htm