Paula Radcliffe -2:13:25

While I was in London England this April to run the Virgin London Marathon, I was lucky enough to meet two of the Kenyan marathoners chosen to represent Kenya in the 2012 Olympics. Abel Kiru (back-to-back wins in the World Championships Marathon in 2009 and 2011. He won in 2009 with a time of 2:06:54, then defended his title with a winning margin of two minutes and 28 seconds – the largest ever margin at the World Championship event )and Patrick Macau. (2:03:38 WR holder) This is where I also got to meet one of my running heros Martin Lel. (He won the London Marathon in 2005, 2007, and 2008, the New York City Marathon in 2003 and 2007 )

Later on I went to the marathon Expo. While I was there I stopped and chatted with Alan Brookes of the Canada Running Series fame, and also visited the Nike “booth” (it was more like a small field). One of the reps mentioned that Paula Radcliffe would be visiting their booth. For this opportunity, I was willing to wait at least an hour while the crowds gathered. After about 45 minutes I tried to imagine how she would get here. The Nike store was in the middle of the expo.
Then I noticed them setting a few chairs on stage and as I turned around …there she was.
So I immediately ran over to Gary (her husband/manager) and asked if I could get my picture taken with Paula. (remember the rules of etiquette for meeting elite runners)
He said “Hurry up, you have 2 seconds”.
I immediately turned to Paula and asked her if I could get my picture taken with her, handed my camera to the Nike guy and asked him to take the picture. I mumbled something to Paula, she smiled and said Thank you and this is the shot of us.
She was then whisked away to the stage and it must have taken me at least 20 minutes to get my heart rate down to normal. Wow. It is so cool to meet your running heroes.
For those of you runners who may have been living under a rock , Paula is the fastest woman marathoner in the world 2:15:25.in April 2003. No one has come close to beating that time. Paula also holds the WR for 10k (30.21) and the WR for the half marathon 65 minutes 40 seconds

Good shot, eh?