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The Women (And Men) To Beat

I honestly don't know how people do anything productive before a marathon. I will admit that it is all I can think about. I'm more distracted now than I was the same number of days before my wedding day - does that seem strange to anyone else?

I will assume it's because I knew my wedding would be a success. But this marathon? Who knows! I started dreaming out loud about my time goals to hubby yesterday. While I can't say for certain exactly what I'm aiming for, I can say that my competitive nature came out a little. There are people I want to BEAT. Don't hate, you know it's true. I know, I know...it's all about finishing, blah blah blah.

But straight up? I want to beat Oprah.

For your enjoyment, here are the people I hope to beat this Saturday:
Oprah Winfrey: 1994 Marine Corp Marathon, 4:29:15


Mario Lopez: 2002 Boston Marathon (5:41:42) 
Apparently Slater ran a lot faster yesterday at the NYC Marathon, but I prefer this goal. Much more attainable. Is it weird for anyone else to see his actual name? He will always be Slater to me. 


I'm sorry, was I saying something? Seem to have lost my train of thought....abs.....oh! People I want to beat, right. Next up:

Al Gore: 1997 Marine Corp Marathon (4:54:25)
You may have invented the internet, my friend, but I hope to obliterate your marathon time. 


Katie Holmes: 2007 New York City Marathon (5:29:28)
Just squeezing in under the 5:30 mark is Mrs. Tom Cruise. Also just squeezing in are her breasts. Really Katie? All that money and NO sports bra?


Jared Fogle: 2010 New York City Marathon (5:13:28)
Sorry, but after a marathon I'm going to need a lot more than a footlong (#TWSS) from Subway!


So - who would you most want to beat in a marathon? From this list or anyone else you can think of!
I wasn't kidding about Oprah! In all honesty, the fact that these people have finished a marathon is incredible, and no matter the time it is a huge accomplishment. But since I'm hovering around the idea of a 4:30 time goal, Oprah seems like a great person to beat!

Are you a competitive person? What spurs you on most - beating personal goals or beating others?
I'm hugely competitive. Of course I want to compete to the best of my ability and rack up PRs, but I definitely get a little boost when I realize I can beat someone! This goes for....everything, not just running. I can get a little riled up playing some intense board games!
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Comments

  1. CarrieNovember 7, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    I am very competitive too- sometimes I think too much so! But that's what's so amazing about running- I know I'm never going to win so it's mostly a competition with myself. I love your strategy though- you can totally beat Oprah!!

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  2. Beth @ RUNNING around my kitchenNovember 7, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    You can totally do this - I know you can beat 4:30, you're more than ready! This is so exciting, I feel like I'm reliving last week all over again through you and everyone else!!!

    And I'm pretty competitive, for instance, I love that Brian runs and that we both share that interest….but sometimes it aggravates me that no matter how good I do, he does better (for guys and girls, we relatively the same, but he's a guy, so he's faster) and sometimes I wish running could be all mine…but that's selfish and I remind myself that I'm glad we share it :)

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  3. RachelNovember 7, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Dang! Jared from Subway beat me by a minute! At least I beat Slater! haha

    One day I hope to beat Oprah. My next marathon hopefully!

    I am extremely competitive. To a fault.

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  4. MacNovember 7, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    I am a competitive person and I love this post it makes me laugh lol! I think having these little goals is going to be the key to keeping yourself sane during the 26.2! Keep the mind games coming :) Good luck!

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  5. BabyWiltNovember 7, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    I've kinda got my eyes on Mrs TomKat's time as well .... I've got a way to go yet though (love your bra comment - so true ;-)

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  6. StephanieNovember 7, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    I love this! You can totally beat Oprah....you've got it!!

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  7. Running RicigNovember 7, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Mike and I did this after my marathon to see how many celebs I beat. So much fun! Also, crazy how many celebs run marathons.

    I think you've got all of those guys beat.

    Also, Jess @ Blonde Ponytail told me to savor my first marathon because you never have another. It's like your wedding day, but with more chafing. :)

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  8. Lisa JNovember 7, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    it's good to have a reason on WHY you want to run the time vs. because it sounds good. I'd look into Mario's time from yesterday... I THINK it was low 4:20s, not 100% though. Otherwise Oprah's goal is good too and you WILL get it.

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  9. MotherRunnerNovember 7, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Dude, that's on my list of goals - beat Oprah. Also, I'd love to beat George W. Bush, but he sadly is way faster than me. It stings to even write that.

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  10. UnknownNovember 7, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    haha what a funny post, I didn't really think about who...I just really wanted that sub-4, but after injury I lost a lot of desires besides just finishing... (TWSS)

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  11. AnonymousNovember 7, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    2 favorite things about this post:sleep talking about your race and finding celebs to beat. you will cream opera and do great! Just picture everyone you're passing as those celebs and then laugh because you're going so fast

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  12. Coy MartinezNovember 7, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    I love this!! I've beaten everyone BUT Oprah and she has me beat by less than 5 minutes! When I ran the Marine Corp 2 Sundays ago I hoped to beat her but came within 10 minutes. Oh well. Katie Holmes needs to put on a bra! GROSS!!

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  13. Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be MeiriNovember 7, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    It's good to know that even though I'm slow, I still have a better PR than Katie "no bra" Holmes.

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  14. Neon Blonde RunnerNovember 7, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    You are going to blow Oprah out of the water girl!!!!! Waay under 4:30 is SO in the bag for you.

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  15. JessicaNovember 7, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Love the Katie comment LOL For Real!

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  16. Britt @ Chicago Runner GirlNovember 7, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    you are going to crush those folks. the big o aint got nothin on you!

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  17. CheerleaderNovember 7, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    OMG, I have never seen that pic of Katy Holmes. How can people run without a sports bra--even if you are an 'a' ya got to protect the girls from chaffing!!!

    Good to know I beat mr. lopez's time in my first marathon! guess it's not a PR, but still!

    5:25:21 :-)

    and my sister raced in Marine Corps that year, she passed Oprah, said she wasn't looking so good ;-)

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  18. Christina @ The AthletarianNovember 7, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    Omg I can't believe my first marathon time was not that much faster than Oprah's!! That's both hilarious and amazing! Katie Holmes really needs to keep her girls in control...

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  19. Colorado GalNovember 7, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    I can't believe that Oprah has the fastest time of all of those people! Slater, I mean, come on! Where were you, buddy!

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  20. Megan November 7, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    Love this post! My original goal was to beat Oprah, which I did earlier this year, and now I have my sights set on P. Diddy's time of 4:14.

    I know you'll totally rock all of these times! Especially Katie's no-sports-bra action ;)

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  21. ElleNovember 7, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    This post is hilarious! I shared it with The Captain and I rarely do that!

    So funny.

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  22. C2IowaNovember 7, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    I hope to beat my first and only time for a full. Time will tell in April.

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  23. AnonymousNovember 7, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Ahh I hope you beat Oprah! I totally think you can do it!!! And thank you for all your encouraging words, I really appreciate it!

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  24. Boston Bound BrunetteNovember 7, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    I want to beat Sarah Palin. The last time I checked her marathon PR was 3:59 and some change!! I better hurry up before she raises the bar on me. I am sure you can beat Oprah easily!! Love the post it!!

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  25. Jerilee E.November 7, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    I seriously don't know how Katie Holmes ran like that... or WHY!? It's terrible. I bet she's super embarrassed about it now. If not, she should be.
    My first marathon, I was aiming to beat other people/ladies I know that had already done marathons. I didn't TELL them that, but I totally was.

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  26. CourtneyNovember 7, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    you are totally gonna beat oprah! and i'm glad i'm not the only one who does this. i keep thinking, if kt holmes can do that (i can't even comment on the boob situation) there's no reason i can't!

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  27. justmeNovember 7, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    i am competitive and yes i would want to beat celebs... christy turlington just did the nyc one in about 4 hours plus. i have yet to do one and have never thought i would, but i am starting to let the reality form that i will most likely do one eventually

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  28. Mum on the RunNovember 7, 2011 at 6:31 PM

    I was absolutely consumed before my marathon this year too.
    Can't be helped!!
    You will knock every single one of these peeps off.
    I had my spoken out loud goal of 3:45.
    In my head, however, I desperately want sub 3:30 though!!
    :-)

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  29. Rosa - Fitness Food FulfilledNovember 7, 2011 at 6:43 PM

    I'm so incredibly competitive and always have been, but in the last few years it's become more about being competitive with myself rather than others. But it can be just as much a motivator!

    And yeah, I don't get Katie Holmes. How can that not hurt, even if you have little ones? It hurts just looking at her!

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  30. Pam @ herbieontherun.comNovember 7, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    Ew. That picture of Katie Holmes just grosses me out. Maybe somebody with smaller boobs could get away with it, but OMG hers are all saggy! It's gross! Not to mention it looks painful. My boobs hurt from looking at that picture.

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  31. LisaNovember 7, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    I lost to Al Roker at the Chicago RnR Half by 7 seconds - OMG talk about hugely disappointing! I'm more of a beating my own time instead of beating others, but seriuosly, I lost to Al Roker???? OMG! My head hangs in shame. You can so totally kick Oprah's butt!!! I'm so impressed by your spunk and your drive!!! I hope the race is a lot of fun and you walk away proud of your accomplishment!

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  32. BabyWeightMyFatAssNovember 7, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Wells L which RnR Chicago Half last year? I was a few seconds behind him as well!!!!

    Katie definitely needed a better bra. Just because they look small doesn't mean they don't need support!

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  33. VanessaNovember 7, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    I am very competitive.

    My husband and I are not allowed to play Monopoly anymore. Well, I'm not allowed.

    We are on a "break" from Scrabble, too.

    I'm pretty competitive with myself and strangers. Which is why during my 5K this year I had trouble "running my race" because I just wanted to keep up with everyone else.

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  34. Sable WeismanNovember 7, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    I'm sorry, I can't concentrate on anything you said... AL GORE RAN A MARATHON? Why is this blowing my mind right now?! I've seen him speak in person and he just strikes me as the totally serious, always business, no time for fun or training or working out or anything but THINKING dammit, type. This is like boggling me right now.

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  35. abbiNovember 7, 2011 at 8:27 PM

    I totally wanted to beat Oprah in my first marathon too and thought it was a good goal...I didn't do it, but I got her in my 2nd!!

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  36. AlyssaNovember 7, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    I didn't know so many famous people ran marathons! Only Oprah. Drew Carey came in around 4:37 at MCM a few weeks ago so you could add him. Slater will always be Slater to me, as well as numerous other TV icons. You can kill 4:30! Your training has been fantastic. You have it in you, I know it. (TWSS).

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  37. JuliaNovember 7, 2011 at 8:32 PM

    i am SOOOO competitive and i love that you found these people. never even thought to challenge myself to beat celebrities! GENIUS. girl i am so freaking pumped for you to run 26.2...i can barely wait!!!!! eeeeeekkkk!!!! you got it. you can totally rock Oprah's timeeee!!!!!!

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  38. ashleyNovember 7, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    all of these people ran marathons? geez, i feel like such a slacker.

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  39. The JesseNovember 7, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    LOVE this post! I totally want to beat Oprah's time someday :)

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  40. AnonymousNovember 7, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    So funny that you mentioned Oprah, my boss ran the Marine Corps marathon a few weeks ago and that's the first thing he said! lol "I beat Oprah!" Sadly I had no idea what he was talking about until he explained lol
    You are going to do great!

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  41. Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's BlogNovember 7, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    You have to beat the braless wonder. That looks so awful. Love this post. Slater.. boy that brings back some old memories :)

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  42. That Pink GirlNovember 7, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    You will totally beat Oprah! My goal is to beat Sarah Palin (3:58!) and George W, Bush (3:44!) someday! Bush is going to be a hard one to beat!

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  43. Rose (Hacker Half Marathon)November 7, 2011 at 9:44 PM

    This is my most favorite post ever!! How fun! It made me feel great that I beat Slater :) You can totally bead Oprah!! And yes, I was way more distracted before my first marathon than I was before my wedding. WAY MORE!! GOOD LUCK!

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  44. CarolineNovember 7, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    yes very competitive
    this is so funny I was looking at all those pics this weekend with my husband and he was saying who he thinks I could beat, Ryan Reynolds was on the list, he is too fast..but Oprah is my #1
    and Katie...well that is just too sad...that outfit...or too funny...but seriously? 26.2 miles like that....aouch....

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  45. Andrea (Run. Learn. Repeat.)November 7, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    This was fun to read and see pictures of all the celebs who've done a marathon. I was thinking the exact same thing about Katie. 26 miles is a long way to be flopping around. Sheesh. I'm mostly just competitive with getting personal goals. Good luck on your marathon! It will be fun to say you beat Oprah.

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  46. The Hungered OneNovember 7, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    Please beat Al Gore out of the common good for your fellow man. lol

    seriously... boob check. that is ridiculous. i bet she was tripping over them by mile 15

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  47. Cait the Arty RunnerchickNovember 7, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    oh, i'm competitive YES and that's why i only race when i'm sure i'll do respectable...and YOU my friend are gonna rock it! :)

    okay, i'm really surprised that oprah is the fastest of this bunch...wow, is all i can say.

    well, that and really, katie, could she have not have picked a better top?! hehe

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  48. JennÊ»s AdventureÊ»sNovember 8, 2011 at 3:24 AM

    Slater totally reminds me of this guy I went to school with -- he's a fireman now and all kinds of sexy -- I'm pretty sure his abs look like that, too.

    And you can so beat Oprah! Good goal -- maybe she'll see this post since she refers her readers to your fabulous blog, too;)

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  49. savoryandsavageNovember 8, 2011 at 3:58 AM

    As I am lacking in any urge for sweets, I am also lacking in any urge to compete. Yup, I would be the sap that would happily cheer you on as you passed me.

    I do love reading about who you would want to beat which allows me to enjoy being competitive in a vicarious sense:-)

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  50. misszippyNovember 8, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    That beat oprah goal is a common one! I read a blog once suggesting there needs to be a BO standard just like a BQ standard. Anyhow, I hope you BO in a big way!

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  51. Lisa@The Daily RUNdownNovember 8, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Great post!
    Seriously, I've seen that picture of Katie a million times and I don't get! I need someone to explain to me how you can run an entire marathon without a bra... umm chafing, bouncing, omg it just seems painful!

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  52. CACNovember 8, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Love it! You'll blow them all out of the water!

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  53. Rachelle WardleNovember 8, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    ha ha this is awesome! The funniest thing about it is that Oprah beat all of those other people. Freaking Oprah? Seriously I am so suprised. You got this girl!!

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  54. Tiff @ Love Sweat and BeersNovember 8, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    I'm really competitive. I usually only compete against myself, but after seeing sans-bra-Katie, I'd want to beat her too!

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  55. UnknownNovember 8, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    I LOVE the goal of beating Oprah! There are few things in life that anyone can ever beat her at. Marathon time seems like an attainable one (for you!!)

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  56. AnonymousNovember 8, 2011 at 3:32 PM

    Oooh, I'm competitive, so I'd want to beat all of 'em too. I heard Katie Holmes went to an event the night she ran that marathon in heels. If you can beat her AND wear heels after, then you're really a rockstar :-)

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  57. ImTheMarigoldNovember 8, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    I'm still mad that I didn't beat Oprah last weekend :( Still mad. But I know you'll smoke her! I see you killing it between 4 and 4:15, easy, you're just that good!

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  58. TheRavenousMommyNovember 8, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    I'm only comptetitive in things I'm good at, haha! So running isn't one of them....yet.

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  59. AnonymousNovember 8, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    that's really funny cause I was really excited that I beat Oprah too and since drew Carey ran this year I looked for him the whole time and was very pleased that he was behind me too :-) don't worry about who you beat though just think about all those people that haven't and won't ever run marathon...not you!

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  60. sammyNovember 9, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    This post made me laugh out loud!! I love a bit of competition. Good luck with the marathon - you will have no problem beating Oprah.

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  61. AliNovember 10, 2011 at 12:41 AM

    haha katie holmes! put a bra on girl!

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  62. Kyria @ Travel SpotNovember 10, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    I love this! I didn't know Oprah ran a marathon. Now I am going to have to beat her too!

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  63. Fruit FlyNovember 15, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    I can't even think of an answer on who I'd want to beat because I'm still trying to mentally lift Katie's boobs. What the heck was she thinking?

    Fine -- I'd want to beat her. She annoys me anyway, and now even moreso after that photo!

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  64. RachelNovember 16, 2011 at 1:54 AM

    ha! I totally saw Jared the Subway guy while I was running NYC last year!

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