2017 Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon race report

2017 Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon course map

Oops, we ran this again.

Here's a quick spoiler: every year at the expo for the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, I sign up for the following year. You get a great price and, sometimes, even a free t-shirt. I have done this every year since the first year. But I didn't sign up for 2018. I didn't even buy the pint glass or the souvenir pin. I just got my bib and scampered out of the expo. I decided that 2017 will be the last Seattle Rock 'n' Roll I run. There. I've said it.

It's not because of the new course -- a course ingenious because it's easy to take public transport to both the start and the finish, and super easy to take it between the start and finish. The course also managed to remove many of Seattle's hills, making it unusually flat. And there's a nice looooong stretch along the water -- very pretty. It's odd, of course, that it doesn't run through downtown Seattle at all -- though the full marathon does, a bit. And, unless you think of the stadiums as a "landmark" (and, no, I don't), you don't really get a feel for the city. But that's okay.

It's not because I feel like there is less and less entertainment on the course -- and of course very little support out there. It's no different than most races I have run. It's the races with support that stand out as anomalies.

It's not even because I no longer work for a running shoe company. Given that I actually ran less while working there than I did before, one might assume that I'd run more again. But I haven't.

I guess it's because we do other things at the weekend now -- hiking, camping, etc. So now seemed as good a time as any to break up with the event. If I hadn't signed up a year ahead of time, I wouldn't have run in 2017. So there you go.

But the race itself was fine, really. Wil and I took the bus to the start -- the only downside of the shift to Sunday was that there were so few buses running that would get us there for the 6:30 start. But it all worked out.

The start was, as usual, a bit manic, with the corrals feeling more like "advice" than corrals, and little management or oversight as people shifted around. We didn't notice any security,  but we also didn't bother to enter the "start village".

view from the bridge of the starting chute

We found our "corral" -- or at least a number associated with our corral --  and wriggled in.

The starting line is waaaaaaay down there, past the pedestrian bridge.

There may have been slight delay for the start, but it was nothing major. And it gave us time to take the requisite pre-race selfie.

It was only as we got close to the start that a "corral rope" appeared in front of us -- while corral 13, or at least those who surged forward, moved to the start.

But then, finally, our turn. We set off across the Montlake Bridge, which is always nerve-wracking to run across, with the spiky metal grating. Luckily I didn't see anyone fall -- unlike during both Beat the Bridge and the 520 Floating Bridge Run.

Then a sharp left turn to enter the Arboretum via Lake Washington Boulevard -- always a gorgeous place to run. After passing the Japanese Tea Garden, Wil and I made a beeline detour to the bathrooms... finding them nearly empty but quite possibly the dirtiest toilets I have ever seen in the U.S. And, yes, that's saying something. I also managed to lose my sunglasses somewhere in this stretch.

Then up and over the hill on Madison, a turn on McGilvra, and then back onto Lake Washington Boulevard along the lake. Somewhere along here we passed the Seafair-staffed water stop, where the pirates called out to the runners and offered rum. THEY WERE LYING. Never trust a pirate.

As we were starting the long stretch along the lake, we passed a set of signs designed like old Burma-Shave signs -- to be read in little snippets as part of a longer message. But individually, they were just funny.

Eventually, we reached the "Blue Mile" -- which is always moving. This year the memorial signs and photos came first -- I worried I hadn't noticed the first ones, as I was looking out for the flags. But there they were, so many of them. And then came the flag-bearers. This stretch always makes me choke up. I was on the far side of the road, but loved watching a runner go the whole way offering handshakes and high-fives to every flag bearer.

I should note that we had long since stopped running. I think we managed to run-walk until mile 5, but then were both feeling done. Largely because the 6.5 miles we ran at Tinker Bell were, essentially, all the running we had done in 2017. But walking? Yeah, we've done that. So we just chugged along. Amusing aside: the following weekend we went up to the Greenwood Car Show, and Wil wore his Sonics jersey again. A guy came running over to high-five Wil, saying, "I just wanted to let you know that I ran the last 10 miles by you -- I used you as my pacer!" Poor guy, he must have had a slow race, too!

By the time we turned away from the lake and back toward downtown, we were already past mile 8. We crossed to Rainier Avenue South via Genessee, rejoining the marathoners who had split off to run a little loop around Seward Park.

Then down Rainier Avenue to Dearborn, then across to the stadiums. We again had to run up that funny "corkscrew" street, where Wil spotted the Hash House Harriers and we crossed over for a tiny glass of champagne.

Then down the ramp at Royal Brougham and a right turn onto Occidental, where we passed the 13-mile marker, shouted "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!", and held hands as we ran down to the finish line.

Our time? A new non-injured PW of 3:01:59. Did I mention that we were scheduled to go on a 4-hour hike that day? We simply hadn't gone slowly enough!!!

We got our medals, a bottle of chocolate milk, and then decided, on a whim, to try the free Michelob Ultra offered at the end. We both took a few sips, looked at each other, and then dumped them out and threw the empties into the recycle bin. Yeah, that was so Seattle!

We then decided to walk from the stadium up to T.S. McHugh's -- a bonus 2.5 miles. Don't worry, we did stop in the restrooms at the Seattle Center to get a teensy bit cleaned up. Why (besides the obvious reason), did we walk up to McHugh's? I had noticed in the "runner perks" section of the Rock 'n' Roll website -- a section I rarely bother to look at -- that McHugh's was offering to buy every runner's first pint. It seemed rude to decline.

My performance was clearly sub-par, but the race was fine. We had perfect weather and I got to spend a few hours running and walking next to Wil -- always one of my favorite things. And in the end, I earned a shiny new medal:

FINALLY - 2016 Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon race report

A couple of weeks ago we ran the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon. Another year, another new course... but I actually really liked it. But I am getting ahead of myself again...

On Friday I worked the Brooks booth at the expo. Sadly, I think this will be my only Brooks expo this year. 

welcome to Run Happy Island!

My job was simply to keep the line for our Run Signature gait analysis under control... that and to praise the amazing Run Happy Island cooler bag. No, really, this bag will change your summer!

Met Wil at the expo (he needed to pick up his bib, too), and then we took advantage of being in Sodo in the early afternoon to make a quick stop at The Bar Shoppe for Seattle's finest Pisco Sour.

cocktails at The Bar Shoppe

This year the race started at the Seattle Center and ended next to Qwest Field.  Most years we drive downtown, but we figured we would end up busing from the finish to the start, so we might as well just bus to the start, too. A lot of people had this same idea, which meant we got to enjoy RUNNERBUS! (Seriously, I love a city bus full of runners.)

2016 Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon course map

The rain was coming down pretty heavily first thing in the morning, and it looked like we might be in for a wet one. So we wore our Gore-Tex jackets since we knew today would be a long, slow day.  Happily the rain pretty much held off, so we ended up just tying them around our waists during the run. 

Got to the Seattle Center and realized we had NO IDEA just where exactly the start was. Of course, it wasn't too hard to spot!!

As we moved toward the start corrals, we heard an announcement that the start was being delayed by fifteen minutes. Apparently the parking and shuttles were a bit of a nightmare...

But we got into our corral, took a couple of pics, and eventually got to the start. 

Raceface = duckface. 

The start was in a different spot this year, so we were lined up on "the hill" where traditionally the Torchlight Run starts and finishes. Looking back up the hill: 

Finally! The start!

This year's course still included the Viaduct, but this year it was at the start of the race. We ran a little loop to get into th tunnel, and then out onto the top deck, possibly for the last time ever. So sad. As a result, I needed to take this panorama:

And is this possibly the last #viaductselfie we ever get to take?

#viaductselfie

It was over all too soon, and we made our way through the International District and out along Rainier Avenue South. Really cute: a mariachi band playing on the pedestrian overpass:

On and on we trotted, eventually turning toward the lake. Quick shot of my two favorite running dudes:

my two favorite dudes

Nice to see the Dude looking great on the course, as usual. Overheard a couple of runners say "Oh, cool!" when they saw him. Seriously the best on-course arch in the racing world. 

the Dude abides!

By the time we got to the lake I was flagging pretty hard. We seemed to again be in that weird lull between bands on stages -- either that of there was way less music than usual. 

Also, the water stops were really badly organized. I think the low point was just before the Dude where there was a table with a bunch of Gleukos chews strewn across it. Now, I'm really not a germophobe, but that grossed me out. Probably not the activation the brand was hoping for...

Ran through the tunnel and the interminable ramps... I'm not sure, but is it possible there were no bands and no water stops this entire stretch? Or maybe I was just really struggling. 

As we came off the ramp -- so glad not to have to run back to Seattle Center! -- I glimpsed the Elvis impersonator and wondered why he was weirdly off to one side. Shame. 

A little squiggling around the stadiums, including a funny corkscrew to get up and over the train tracks. It seemed a little cruel, but of course the Hash House Harriers were there to perk is up with little paper cups of beer. God bless the Hash House Harriers!

Sip of beer imbibed, we ran down the last hill and around the final turn to the finish chutes. No shout outs, but at least we were done. 

why, yes, that *is* a gore-tex jacket wrapped around my waist

so happy to be done!

I had a really hard time this year -- I was seriously undertrained and still recovering from being sick. But I got to the start  AND the finish, and that's what counts, right?

Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon race report

Up before the sun to run Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia. The weather forecast was for 40 degrees and clear at the start. Well, they were close...

brrr...

I walked the mile or so from my hotel to the start village, stopping in at the VIP area (thanks Brooks!) to grab some Gatorade and a bagel. I also noted, happily, that mimosas are back!! So I had that to look forward to after I finished. 

I went out to my corral... So far back that I couldn't see the start. I was a little surprised to see the time -- and to hear the national anthem -- but of course I still had 30 minutes to wait!

not sure where the start is...

It was really cold in the corrals -- I was very glad to have brought my Mylar from RnRVan with me. But eventually we were on deck. That said, the main announced left to go to the finish line before we even started, since the elites would potentially finish before the last corral started!

ahhh, THERE it is!!!

When it was our turn, it was a real pleasure to run on Philadelphia's wide boulevards -- we ran up Benjamin Franklin Parkway and around Logan Circle, then a little loop around downtown (was there something I should have "seen" there?), and then a big swinging loop around City Hall. We turned back toward the art museum, passing "Love Park" and Philly's iconic artwork before heading up Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the opposite direction. Philadelphia has such lovely, wide boulevards to run on!

2015 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon course map

I was really surprised that, at the 3-mile mark, there were still people starting. But 35 corrals is a lot of corrals. And at 18,500 people registered, it's no surprise!

We passed the main stage, where the Gin Blossoms would perform later, and heard a great cover of "I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll All Night" ... which of course madee think "and part of every day..."

We had one more "spur" out and back before passing the art museum and heading out on the Shuykill River ... Or the road next to it, anyway. This was really beautiful -- mainly flat, lovely wide roads, and pretty views of the river and of the autumn leaves. Leaf peepin' while running a half marathon? Oh yes please. 

No crowding here!

This really was bliss to run on. 

Because Brooks had made a pretty drawing of the course, I knew that we would cross the river at Falls Bridge at mile 9. So getting on to the bridge was awesome - only 4.1 to go!!!

view downstream from the bridge

view back to downtown from the bridge

The road back to downtown was equally pretty, though the only thing I took a picture of was this guy. I can't tell ou how much I enjoy seeing The Dude at races! I didn't know he was going to be on the course, so it was a pleasant surprise. 

the Brooks Dude

I was feeling pretty tired by mile 12, but I had pretty much maintained my 100:25 intervals. Seeing this in the distance helped perk me up a bit!

the backside of the Art Museum -- where the finish line is

I had been planning on one last walk break so that I could finish strong, but the last half mile was suddenly very narrow and totally thronged with cheering spectators and I just couldn't. So I slotted in behind a hand-holding couple to pace myself, followed them up the last cruel little hill, and then slingshotted past them in the final stretch.

The crowd in the chute were too quiet, so I encouraged some whooping, high-fived the announcer (let's be clear, he's no John Bingham!), and crossed the line in 2:22:43. 

It was a bit rough getting through the finish gauntlet, but eventually got my medal, some chocolate milk, and made my way back to the VIP tent for a little breakfast and a couple of mimosas. Perfect. 

the finish line, as seen from the VIP area

the Art Museum and the Rocky Steps

Nope, I didn't go back and run the Rocky Steps!

Decided against watching much of the Gin Blossoms because I had gotten cold and was thinking about having a nice hot bath. So I made my way back to the hotel, stopping to visit the spitting tortoises. 

This race was fun, and the course was pretty. There wasn't a ton of support, but the people out there were super loud and enthusiastic. Best sign: "ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10, YOU'RE A 13.1"

thank you Philly!

Most importantly, of course... This is STATE #34!!!

Rock 'n' Roll Vancouver weekend report: day 3, half marathon

I was a little worried that I might be gimpy after the previous day's less-than-prudent 10K (not that it was fast, but...) .... but my legs actually felt pretty loose. We got to the start just before 7:30. At Rock 'n' Roll Vancouver the last corral starts first -- giving the slower runners more time to complete the course. I had asked Suz what time they would be starting, and she said she thought the race started at 8:15. But as we stood there, I thought I heard the announcer say "this is for the runners who will take more than 3:30" ... and then we both heard a countdown. We looked at each other and Suz said, "I think my corral is starting!" A quick hug for luck, and Suz hustled down the road to the start.

**I just checked; last year the early start was 15 minutes ... in 2015 it was 45!!!**

Suz told me afterward that they had already put the rope down, but a race acquaintance spotted her and held it up so she could scoot under it.

That left me with 45 minutes to cool my heels. I bumped into a former coworker, which was fun -- always nice ro run into an old friend!

One very awesome thing: the announcer said that there were two very special people running with us, and reminded those who were there that last year a man collapsed during the race and a doctor who was running near him saw it, stopped, and performed CPR. The man survived and the two of them were both running the race together. Awesome.

Eventually the corrals filled up, we heard another pretty rendition of O Canada, and the elites set off.

Non running aside: I think I have often confessed that The Star-Spangled Banner" makes me tear up EVERY TIME. Ever since I learned about the history of the song -- Francis Scott Key was actually in enemy hands, watching the British bomb the fort -- I get really choked up when the "Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave?" line comes. Every. Single. Time.

Well, oddly enough, there's something about O Canada that also makes me weepy. Not sure why. Must be the swelling music, somehow?

Anyways, soon is was our turn, and I found myself rather awkwardly at the front of my corral. How does this happen???

We set off down the road -- and I remember little else. And I took NO PHOTOS. Again. No idea why not; I guess I just wanted to keep pressing on. 

Half marathon course took us all around downtown, including through Gastown and the International District, through some more industrial areas, and then in what appears to be a loop that I didn't even notice. Ha. At some point we passed a rapper freestyling about running, marathons, and Rock 'n' Roll. Cool.

I caught up with Suz, running strong and steadily, somewhere just after mile 6... we chatted briefly, but then I lost her in the chaos of a water stop. I figured we'd both be better off if we just kept moving forward.

Eventually we approached Stanley Park, where I was a little sad not to be able to just run along the seawall again (so pretty!). I had been trying to discipline myself to run 100 breaths, walk 25... but when the rolling hills started up in the park, I dropped to 100:33 ... and on the longer inclines, I just walked.

As I neared the end, I passed Elvis again, though this time he was singing "I Believe" -- at least, um, I believe he was... Regardless, it was "Proud Mary", and no high-fives were exchanged. Suz reported that he was singing "Sweet Caroline" when she passed him. A travesty!!!

As I entered the last stretch, I was happy to see that this year they roped off the spectators, so there was plenty of room to run -- I even managed to pick it up a bit and finished in 2:23:12 ... much faster than I expected.

I picked up my "World Rocker" and "Rock Remix" medals, and started out of the park. I hadn't planned on going into the beer garden... but I knew I had a bit of time, sooo...

more bling, more beer...

Had a nice chat with a gentleman who was waiting for his ladyfriend to finish; turns out she's also a Half Fanatic and a Marathon Maniac who completes all the challenges like a crazy woman. Also turns out that they live in Ballard less than a mile from our house. :) AND that Suz met her last year at a race. Small world, innit?

Then back to the hotel to get cleaned up, and then out for some well-deserved brunch. With boozy drinks. Frozen slushy boozy drinks. With plastic animals.

you see the pink animals, too, right???

It was fun to go away for the weekend, and the races and courses were great -- and, of course, there was LOTS OF BLING!

why, yes, I do it for the bling...

Rock 'n' Roll Vancouver weekend report: day 2, the 10K

How civilized to start a 10K at 9:30a.m.! We could have walked half a mile to catch a shuttle to the start, but Google Maps assured us that it was only .9 miles to the start from our hotel anyway. (It was.)

We stopped in at Whole Foods, where I picked up a miserably dry, crumbly, joyless, and essentially cheeseless "cheese scone". I made a mental note to go to a Safeway later and pick up a decent bagel for the next morning. 

We got to the start nearly an hour early, probably because neither of us were 100% sure we were really so close to the start. Sorry, Google Maps, that we doubted you! But the morning was pleasant, the sun was out, and we had a great view. 

ready to run!

Did I mention that I was wearing purple?!?! I love these capris. 

Eventually we got into our "corrals" -- which were really just some numbers on sticks, and no one really looked at th anyway. But I did have the chance to chat with a few ladies and show off my NYC Adrenaline GTS 16s. 

Ooh, flashy!

I LOVED this woman, who had accidentally put on two different GTS... one 14, and one 15!

#adrenalinejunkie

The starting chute felt pretty crowded, but they sent us out in small waves, so it actually wasn't bad at all. 

When it was our turn, we all headed out with a little whoop. I didn't have a plan -- at all -- for this race, except perhaps to save my legs for Sunday. 

The course (marked in blue, above) was simple: just follow the seawall around the edge of Stanley Park. Not really knowing the route, I kept underestimating -- then overestimating -- how long was left. But boy oh boy do I like a 10K. By the time I really relaxed and got into a rhythm, the race was halfway over, and I never felt tired. And, yes, I know, that means I could have run faster. Whatevs. 

I didn't take ANY PICTURES, even though the day and the course were gorgeous. I just kept running. I loved running past the big rock formations, running under the soaring Lions Gate Bridge, and passing the lighthouse. It amused me to have a running path without guardrails, even if I had a little scare when I was moving to pass some on on the sea-side of the path, at quite a high point, and he swung out slightly. I inadvertently gasped and backed off, he said, "Oh! sorry!", and I said "No worries -- it just put me on edge."  We then both said "Literally!" at the same time. Someone behind me said "well, that'll get your adrenaline pumping!"  Indeed. 

Later on, not far from the finish, we were approaching an Elvis impersonator (tribute artist?) who was singing a high-powered version of "Proud Mary". I honestly cannot hear "Proud Mary" without busting out Tina Turner dance moves. Seriously. So imagine me, doing the "arm chugging" and "diving" and general shimmying. While running. Towards an Elvis impersonator. Who starts doing some of the dance back at me. As I passed him, he held up his hand for a respectful high-five. His orange, self-tanner stained hand. But did I high-five him? Oh yes, Gentle Reader. I did. With gusto. 

photo courtesy Competitor.com

I crossed the finish line in 1:05 and change; better than I expected, really. I picked up my handsome medal and a few snacks, then made my way to the beer tent.

big, honkin' 10K medal!

There was a HUGE LINE outside, but then I realized that there was someone waving anyone past who had a wristband already. RESULT! (Life lesson: spend the 3 minutes at the expo getting the wristband. Really.)

Being in Canada, this race featured LOCAL BEER, not the Ultra stuff they usually offer. Stanley Park Brewing was pouring three different beers, including their new Winter ale. I'm not a big beer drinker, and clearly no connoisseur, but it was really tasty. 

bling AND beer

I chatted with some of my fellow runners, including a student from Mexico who couldn't believe I was running the half the next day ("one day is enough for me!") and a couple who are RNR junkies. I half expect the see Oscar (??) **Suz is correct, it's Albert!** come through the expo in Philly, since he needs one more race to get his "7th Heaven" medal...

Suz arrived, more beer was consumed, and then it was time to head back to the hotel. We took it easy the rest of the day, doing a little shopping (candy, Lush, crisps, and a bagel for the next day), having lunch at Red Robin, dinner at Cactus Club, and getting weirdly sucked into the The Voice, a show neither of us had ever actually seen.

Then to bed... We had a half marathon to run in the morning!

P.S.: I really enjoyed this race -- it wasn't too big, and the wave start meant I never felt too crowded. The weather was perfect, the course was spectacular, and did I mention the tasty beer at the finish line? I really recommend this race to anyone, whether they are running the half or not.