The running story of Per!

She started as a spectator. As a cheerleader. As a camera woman. As an audience.

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Then she got bored. She got tired of waiting for me to finish. So she tried the 5km. Walking with little running. Then running with little walking. Then running faster to get a new 5k PR. And trying to beat that new PR. She became a competitor against herself.

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I started running longer by then. She had to wait for me to finish even after her 5k race. She got bored again and thought, "What if I ran longer?". But there was a fear of going further as she was at her comfort zone. Eventually, she tested it. Her first 10k! And she liked it! Back to running with some walking. Back to trying to beat her PR by going faster. She was able to do it! Now her 10k PR is more than 10 minutes faster than when she first started this distance race.

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But she got too comfortable with her 10k race. And this time, I thought, "What if she ran longer?". That became one of my goals for my second year of running. To convince her to try it, I promised to run by her side for the entire race. Be her escort. Be her supporter. Be her encourager. Our target: RUNew 15k last Feb 15, 2009. Our goal: To finish it. Mission accomplished! She was happy crossing the finish line but had a hard time during the race. It was just too hot that day. She didn't enjoy running anymore. It was pure torture for her to run a race that long. It took out the pleasure in her running.

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I always say, "At least you tried it and you were able to finish it. That's something to be proud of!" She agreed. But she went back to 10k races. I thought that would be the end of it. No more long distance races for her.

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But then something came up...

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The San Francisco Half Marathon! It will be done in November. A chilly month in the USA. No heat. Clean Air. Huge crowd. I signed up for it just to get a slot. There was a 10k event. I figured that would be sufficient for her. But the 10k route doesn't pass onto the Golden Gate Bridge. She wanted that! She felt her experience wouldn't be complete without running on the GG Bride. So she decided. She will do the Half Marathon!

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Now: there is a Market Market Run. It will be done in two weeks time. It has a 10-miler and 5-miler event. She wanted to see how good she can handle running a long distance again. She wanted the 10-miler! She will do the 10-miler!

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For both these races, I will once again be by her side. I will be her escort. I will be her supporter. I will be her encourager. I will do my best to ensure that she will finish strong.

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She has exceeded more that I have expected from her and I am proud of her! She is a competitor but now, not only against time but against distance as well.

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She is PER and She is a RUNNER!! (Let's see you try and tell her she isn't one. :P )

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And her running story still has miles and miles to go....

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Watch this space!