and we're off!

So excited about our trip! Probably no real blogging until we return, but we'll bore you to tears with photos and ramblings then. :)

See Jane Run Half Marathon Race Report

I must confess that the only reason I signed up for this race was that I got a "Groupon" for it -- $37 for a half marathon? I'm there. And I've heard nice things about the stores, so why not? 

I suppose I should also say that I applaud companies who sponsor races, and I'm happy to have another half marathon in Seattle. And the race shirt is one of the nicest shirts I have ever received. Who doesn't love a v-neck? And chocolate and champagne as a theme is great. So all of those things are good. 

Went to the "expo" to pick up my packet -- nothing much to see, a handful of exhibitors and some people who clearly felt they'd been fooled into buying space in a nearly empty ballroom. But I was able to get my bib and my shirt quickly and get out of there in under 5 minutes. Still, an expo for a small race was bound to be a bit haphazard, right?

Then last night I watched the course video and thought, huh, they're gonna run all those people on an out and back along the Ship Canal Trail? In the first 4 miles? That'll be awkward. But since I'd never been on that trail I also thought that maybe it's really wide. Who knows?

And then I arrived at Gas Works. I had been surprised never to receive an email from the organizers, but had checked the web site for info. Hmmm. "Plenty of parking in the surrounding neighborhoods." No wonder they were asking people to get there at 6:30 for a 8:00 race. But I got parking only 2 blocks from the park and walked down. 

I saw a really long line and realized it was the line for the little restroom at the park. Dozens of ladies were already waiting in it. At 7:00. I walked around a bit and saw another, even longer line -- for nine porta potties. Now, it must be really difficult to plan races. But this was a women's race. And women simply take longer in a porta potty than men do. The lines were absurd.

I also wandered around the "expo" -- a handful of exhibitors / vendors in a field. Most of them hadn't really set up yet -- but I remembered the web site repeating that the ladies should "make sure to bring your credit card". Which put me off. 

Then I spotted a couple of Fanatics and went over to say hello. Nice big group, and we chatted and took some photos for the newsletter. Yes, I finally made it in to a HF group photo! There was a lot of grumbling about organization. There was a lot of concern about the lack of porta potties, but even more concern about the course. 

I decided to get off my feet and chill out for a little while. I started chatting with a few people -- two runners and a spectator -- about the organization. And the lines continued... 

Then a quick 80s-style warmup, and we headed in to the starting chute. Sort-of. I thought I was in a group waiting for the start, but it turns out that we were in a porta-potty line. Hilarious. 

The course was pretty flat -- from Gas Works to Fremont, across the bridge, and then a cloverleaf onto the Ship Canal Trail. Out and back -- on a narrow trail -- was a bit rough. I was glad they had a bike riding ahead of the leaders, but the closer we got to the turnaround, the harder it was to run. Got to the 4-mile point and ran into the spectator, who smiled and cheered. :)

Then around the lake. I kept up my 3:1 run:walk intervals, feeling okay most of the time. I was surprised that the course did an up and down (and up and down, and up and down) rather than just the big hill on Ruby Street. Eventually we emerged and ran across the tiny little sidewalk along the bridge. (Another awkward spot on the course...)

It was tough to pass Gas Works, knowing that we had another couple of miles to go... and also knowing there wouldn't be a timing mat to ensure people actually ran that far. :) Tra la la, Burke-Gilman Trail... 

This was about the point when I had a "wardrobe malfunction" and my foot really started hurting. So I walked between mile 11 and 13, running the last .1 for a strong finish. Did I leave anything in the tank? Yeah. I had hoped to finish in 2:30 or less, but the walking pretty much scuppered that. I finished in 2:37:17, but I also feel pretty good. 

Got my medal (small, but at least different from the 5K medal...), got my champagne glass with three chocolates in it, a bagel, a banana, and I chugged a bottle of water. Then a quick swig of champagne, and home.

Would I run that race again? Nope. 

wardrobe malfunction...

I've been running in Brooks socks for years. When I switched from basic cotton to the fitted, sized, and foot-specific Brooks socks, it changed my life. Or at least the life of my feet. No more blisters. No more hotspots. Just happy feet. I had been using the same socks for years.

Now that I work for Brooks, I had the opportunity to try our new socks -- all THIRTEEN kinds. Heck, I'm still working my way through the box. Some were basic, some were super fancy. But all were fresh, new socks.

I think I got a little spoiled -- fresh socks before every run? Wow! I remember my boss saying how nice new socks were, and I didn't really believe her. I was, however, enjoying the new socks -- deciding which ones I liked the best, making notes for a future blog post, etc.

But I hadn't run long in them -- and I'm pretty keen on sticking to the "nothing new on race day" commandment. So I put on my trusty old socks. Socks which have gotten me through hundreds of miles without blisters. Ever.

Until today.

Within 5 miles my sock had slid down in my shoe. I didn't notice it at first, but by mile 10 I knew I had at least a hot spot, if not a blister. Discretion being the better part of valor, I decided to walk miles 11 and 12 today. I will retire my beloved "R2-D2 socks", embrace my new, fresh, cushy socks. And all will be well.

tomorrow's adventure...

Looks awfully easy on a bike...

TEN!!!

A quick run deserves a quick post -- ran on the treadmill today in the basement. Felt a bit dehydrated and crampy -- so I cut it short. Still, it was run #10, which earned me my SportWatch. Looking forward to a day of rest.

9 down, 1 to go!

This morning's run was notable only in that it was my ninth run toward "earning" my new watch. I suppose it's also notable as the first time I have run on consecutive days since... oh, the "halffle" on Thanksgiving weekend last year. Sure, it wasn't two half marathons back to back, but it was still back to back runs...

Not sure I have EVER run three consecutive days :) ... but I'm going for it tomorrow.

8 out of 10... and a confession

This morning's run was a struggle -- I woke up with stiff, achy knees, and had a hard time getting warmed up. I also struggled with my breathing, and had that weird hyper-sense of smell (dryer sheets, lawn food, chlorine). But I ran to the lookout and back ... so that's something. Even if I definitely wasn't "running happy". 

I have two more runs to go before I "earn" my new watch... but I couldn't resist. I figured it was better to start using it BEFORE going on the cruise, to get used to it. So... well... I cheated a little. I will still get my runs in by Monday (yes, that means running tomorrow and Monday...). I promise.

It's fun to run with a GPS again, so that I can have pictures like this:

No, I don't know what the red and green dots mean. Maybe that I had to stop and wait a long time for a stoplight? Who knows.

4 for the 4th

We had talked about going to a small town, running their Fourth of July 5K, staying to watch the parade, and doing a big of flag waving. We had even chosen our target: Carnation's "Run for the Pies" -- a nice early race, an hour or two looking at their "hot rods and Harleys" show, and then a parade. But then we thought about it -- nearly an hour's drive, an early run, and then paying for the privilege of running with strangers and earning a white t-shirt decorated with a big American flag and three cartoon cows.

(Don't get me wrong -- the biggest issue is that it was a white t-shirt... I thought the flag and cows were kinda cute...)

So we declared our independence from organized fun runs, threw off our race director oppressors, and just ran to the lookout and back. Four miles for the Fourth.

Sure, there was no water stop, no chip timing, no souvenir shirt. But we also didn't pay $30 each just to run. Free(dom)!

And may I mention that today was my seventh run, with a week left to go? Sweet!

Interurban Trail Run

After feeding Suz's wee beasties this morning, I went for a little run along the Interurban Trail. I had never been on that trail before, so it seemed like the perfect time to try it out.

It's lovely and almost flat -- with the exception of the ramps and stairs that take you across Highway 99. It's also nearly devoid of shade, at least at 11:45 in July...

Not much to tell about the run itself -- I struggled to run the 8-minute stretches and discovered I was running too fast. As usual... I gave myself the luxury of walking up the stairs to the overpass, but was still sucking wind by the last running segment. Not sure if I can blame the heat, or just my current level of fitness. 

Still, a run is a run, and I'm now over the hump -- 6 down, just 4 to go. And 9 days to run in. Hello SportWatch...

two other running things...

... while I wait for a report to run, thought I'd make a quick update!

1. Got a nice email yesterday from Girls on the Run informing me that I was one of their largest fundraisers nationwide last year. Awww. As a thank you, they're sending me an award certificate... for a new pair of New Balance shoes. Oops. Still, totally lovely.

2. Got a big fat envelope from the Great Alaska Maritime Marathon -- woot! Very excited about the cruise! Possibly less excited about a 10-mile trail run up and down a mountain, but, hey....

Now, back to work!