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ALETA S. WILEY
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I started running in the spring of 2006. Until then, I had never run more than 2 miles without stopping. But when I found myself with plenty of extra time and no television or internet for a summer in the Adirondacks, I started - slowly. The first race I completed - a 5K trail course with a local runner's club and about 50 participants - introduced me to the collegial, noncompetitive atmosphere that abounds among recreational runners. For the most part, runners are competing with themselves and the title of "winner" does not belong to an individual when the race is over. When I crossed the finish line at that first race - in last place, having averaged an 11:45-minute/mile pace - a volunteer asked me if I had run a 5K before. When I said no, she replied: "Well, you've achieved a personal record today! Congratulations!"
Two years later, I ran my first half-marathon (the Dismal Swamp Stomp) and since then have completed three more.
I run to have time, awake, by myself. I enjoy having that time to listen to the music that I love. I run to feel and be healthy, and as a way of exploring new places. And, I run so that I can fully enjoy how good it feels to cross a finish line with the only goal having been completion.
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Race Log
| Seattle Rock n' Roll Half Marathon |
13.1 mi (road) |
25 JUN 11 |
Seattle, WA |
2:10:56 |
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| Seattle Best 15K |
15 km (road) |
21 MAY 11 |
Seattle, WA |
1:31:24 |
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| Boston Half Marathon |
13.1 mi (road) |
11 OCT 09 |
Boston, MA |
2:14:02 |
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| Cherry Blossom Run |
10 mi (road) |
05 APR 09 |
Washington, DC |
1:42:03 |
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| Shamrock Half Marathon |
13.1 mi (road) |
22 MAR 09 |
Virginia Beach, VA |
2:08:45 |
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| Philadelphia Half Marathon |
13.1 mi (road) |
23 NOV 08 |
Philadelphia, PA |
2:13:56 |
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| Dismal Swamp Stomp |
13.1 mi (mixed) |
19 APR 08 |
Chesapeake, VA |
2:10:26 |
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| Cherry Blossom Run |
10 mi (road) |
6 APR 08 |
Washington, DC |
1:39:22 |
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| Battle of the Boulevard |
10K (road) |
12 MAY 07 |
Arlington, VA |
1:03:12 |
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| Jug Bay Wildlife Refuge |
10K (mixed) |
3 NOV 06 |
Upper Marlboro, MD |
56:02 |
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| Gulf Coast Relief Run |
5K (road) |
30 SEPT 06 |
Alexandria, VA |
25:12 |
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| Camp Saratoga, NY |
5K (trail) |
7 AUG 06 |
Wilton, NY |
32:06 |
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| Camp Saratoga, NY |
5K (trail) |
24 JUL 06 |
Wilton, NY |
30:09 |
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| Camp Saratoga, NY |
5K (trail) |
10 JUL 06 |
Wilton, NY |
34:03 |
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| Camp Saratoga, NY |
5K (trail) |
26 JUN 06 |
Wilton, NY |
35:32 |
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