Track and Field Blogs - Pat Ostrander

I'm feeling discouraged lately because I am so slow. Like...really, really slow. I've said this to people before and had them respond, "Oh...me too...I only run like 10 minute miles." Yeah, I'd trade a limb for that time some days. My fastest ever one mile time was 9:17. And for any race over one mile, my fastest average time is 11:15 per mile. (Unless you count the runs where I thought I was running four miles and after re-mapping realized it was only 3.5. because I was making a wrong turn.) I am in a constant battle with myself about this.

One of my goals once was to NOT appear on the last page of race results! The thing is...I have improved. And I remind myself every day that my main goal is to not injure myself again. I don't want to spend more time in PT and, besides, my physical therapist is about to have a baby and, unbelievably, will probably think that is more important that my patellar tendonitis.

I think one of the most annoying things about being so slow is that I always get the crappiest snacks. I get the bruised fruit and the unwanted flavors because not only do the fast people get the medals, they also get the prized produce and the raisin bagels! Some day I am going to run my own race and I'm going to put the primo stuff to the side until the 12 minute milers start waddling in. In fact, if you're running 6 minute miles, you're done so fast what do you need a snack for anyway?!

I was hoping I could finish the marathon in five hours so I would get my name in the paper. But I don't really think this is a realistic goal for me. Six hours is probably more appropriate. Geez, I might need a SAG vehicle just for my GU packets.