Pacer Christine

Where are you from?

Salt Lake City, Utah

Current P.R.

Half Marathon: 1:47

Full Marathon: 4:09

Typical pace

9:30

Number of marathons

32

Occupation

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant/ author

Favorite marathon

St. George

Hobbies

Writing, photography—and running, of course!

Favorite Running Food

Buckwheat pancakes with blueberries or green smoothies

What are you reading now?

Walking in This World: The Practical Art of Creativity, by Julia Cameron

Who do you train with?

Anyone I can talk into going on a run with me.

Personal goals

Publish a best-selling novel and qualify for Boston

 

 

A quotation you like…

Runners are real athletes. The rest just play games. -author unknown

 

Why do you run?

 

To define myself. To add meaning to my days. To take a break away from the stress of my life. To connect with the world around me. To put my problems into perspective. To be healthy and clear headed.

Describe your best marathon memory.

 

It was the first time I ran the St. George Marathon. I had never heard of pace groups but somehow I ended up by the 3:50 pacer—which was the time I need to qualify for Boston. I’ll never forget her. She was short with blond curly hair and had on the craziest stripped socks I’ve ever seen, and this was before crazy socks became popular. A group had gathered around her, carefully listening to how she was going to help them achieve her pace time. She talked about how to take in fuel, what to do during aid stations, and how to run the dreaded Veyo hill. She also told us how many marathons she had run. I can’t remember the number but I was in awe, and at that moment I knew I wanted to be a pacer someday.

 

But the piece of advice she gave which has stuck with me most over the years was about mindset. She said that you divide the marathon into thirds. You run the first third with your head, meaning you hold yourself back, not getting caught up in the excitement and going out too fast. Then you run the second half with your legs, meaning you run strong and depend on your training. Finally, you run the last third with you heart. You remember why you’re there and how strong you are. You remember the tough training runs where you wanted to quit so bad—but you didn’t. You remember those people you’re running for who can’t run for themselves. You run for those who believe in you. You run because you believe in yourself—and you finish strong.

 

I didn’t qualify for Boston that day. I lost her when I had to stop at the porta potty. However, I’ve always felt if I could run in her group again that I’d qualify for Boston.

Why do you pace?

 

I like to talk. I like to connect with those who share my passion. But most of all, I pace to give back to the sport I love so much. Ultimately, during each race I pace, it is my hope that I at least help someone achieve more than they believed they could.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

 

It was during the Utah Valley Marathon in Provo, UT. We were running down Provo Canyon where there are rumble strips to wake drowsy drivers. One the runners ahead of my group tripped and went down in one of the rumble strips. I stopped to help her up, but I didn’t need to. She was already on her feet. I remember telling her she was a tough girl and could finish the race. Later she commented on the pace group Facebook page that I had really helped her finish the race because she kept telling herself over and over again that she was a tough girl.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

 

My pace group is about acceptance and encouragement. If you’d like to make friends, share running stories, and receive encouragement during those moments where you might be struggling, my pace group is for you.

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

 

Introduce yourself. Don’t be shy and let me know your goals and how I can help you achieve them. And there are no dumb questions. If you have a concern or question on your mind, ask or share. Chances are someone else in the group has been thinking the same thing.

 

 

 

 

 

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