software testing
The 26 mile, 385 yard software testing, on April 21, 2008, begins in the rural New England town of Hopkinton and winds through the countryside before ending near the John Hancock Tower in Boston's Copley Square. Along the way, near Boston College, Gibson will face the challenge of running up the infamous Heartbreak Hill. The over one half mile ascent has forced many a lesser trained runner to walk or quit the race. The hill is dreaded as much for its position on the software testing course, between the 20 and 21 mile mark, as for its climb. Because it is located in the latter part of the course, muscle glycogen stores are likely to run empty which is often referred to as "hitting the wall." Gibson is wary of taking on the hill with muscles battered by miles on running. "I know that it will be tough, like our Airport Hill," she said. "I plan to do some training on it." More than 500,000 fans and well wishers are expected to line the Massachusetts streets to cheer on the field that annually attracts the finest runners from around the world. In excess of 20,000 are expected to compete in the annual event that was first run in 1896. Setting a personal best In earning a berth in the celebrated east coast run, Gibson's time not only exceeded the tough Boston standard, it was also a personal best among the six software testings in which she has competed. For Gibson, earning a spot in the Boston event is a huge achievement in itself. "I think it's so cool to have qualified, I'm not too concerned about my time...I just want to finish," she said. "But then my friends say as soon as the race begins, I will be thinking about my time." Earning the berth erases some of the disappointment she suffered in 2005 when her time of 3:46.13 in Tucson came up short of the qualifying standard. At the time, Gibson said it was her goal to someday reach Boston because "it's the goal of every runner, it's kind of like the elite, the very best (marathon)." Before Gibson travels east for the upcoming Boston run, she also expects to compete in January 2008 at the P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll software testing in Phoenix and another in Apache Junction. "I'm in running shape, so I thought ‘why not enter,'" she said. Gibson's ascension to earning a berth in the Boston Marathon did not come without hours and hours of training and hard work. She began an intensive training program last August, participating in one designed by her close friend Bethany Beck. The plan included cycles of speed training, which was done on the Payson High School track, coupled with tempo and long distance runs. Gibson defines tempo training as running a designated distance at a pre set pace. Beck, herself a long distance runner, is impressed by Gibson's dedication and commitment. "She is so mentally tough and when she sets her goals she works hard to achieve them," Beck said. ... software testing