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At the 2008 USTA
Long Distance National Duathlon Championships, HRC members John and
Cheryl King-Marino both placed 2nd in their age division, qualifying
for the World Championships in
Belgium.
"It's interesting
how we got here," says Dr.
John. He's referring to strange conditions and happenings
during the race. "The temperature during the race was easily
into the hundreds. Half of the runners either didn't finish or
didn't even bother to come. It was 25 degrees hotter than
what's normal for the
area.
Though the
competition wasn't as numerous, the heat made the course especially
difficult. Even though qualifying for Belgium is quite an
accomplishment, Dr.
John is still disappointed. "I know I could have done
better." Dr.
John had numerous problems during the race: a flat tire and
being sent in the opposite direction during the race. Who knows
what he would have done
otherwise.
His wife,
Cheryl,
also had some unique circumstances. "My time wasn't too bad,
but it's hard to brag about placing 2nd in your division when you
are one of two people in that division." The heat of
California had eliminated much of the competition before the race
had even begun. Cheryl,
like her husband, also thinks she could have done better.
"I've been working at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia recently,
and that's taken out a lot of training time. If I had a little
more time to train I know I'd be a lot
better."
Through
hot weather, bad luck, and low amounts of training, both of these
athletes performed well and did what they came to do.
Qualify. Imagine what will happen when these HighRoad members
have a race when things go
well! |
