Today.....I have been writing all about my running adventures for one full year. My very first post was a recap of a 10K race that I had just done. And I just kept going....
When I started running, back in July 2011, I was training for my first half marathon. I completed that training cycle and ran across the finish line of that Half in November. At that point, I knew it was a done deal. I was in love with running and this was not going to be a one and done kind of thing. In order to keep myself motivated and accountable....and because I wanted to be just like this girl....I decided to start my little blog.
One year later, I am still going strong. Despite the fact that I've actually been out of commission for the past (nearly) 5 months. I actually feel pretty proud about that. I was determined to keep at it....even when I didn't have anything much to say...I didn't want to let my handful of readers down and I knew that if I kept writing, even just a bit here and there, that I would be glad that I did.
Because the day that I will get to run again is getting closer. Unfortunately, it's taking much longer than I thought it would. This is a stubborn injury....one that I'll probably have to deal with for the rest of my running career. But I am determined to have one....I just love it too much.
So thanks for bearing with me readers...I appreciate it! I'll be back in action, hopefully better than ever in the near future....and will be celebrating many more of these Blogiversaries.
A few of my favorite posts from the last year:
Luck of the Season -- This was my first experience grappling with a less than stellar training cycle. It was good to get out the frustration while simultaneously giving myself a break.
Mercer Island Half Recap -- My second half marathon was awesome. And I knocked nearly 10 minutes off my time.
Wear Blue: Run to Remember -- I joined Wear Blue last April....here's why I was inspired to join this amazing group.
Heroes Half Recap -- Half marathon #3....this was the day I met a really really cool runner chic. Who then invited me to be on her....
Ragnar Relay: NW Passages....It's ON! -- team...Little did I know.....
Long Run...In Pictures -- This was one of my favorite posts....a little hometown love and a long run...what's not to love?
Seattle Rock and Roll - Wear Blue Mile -- My first time running a race with the larger WB group. Amazing experience and still my favorite race to this day.
Sea of Blue -- I posted quite a few on this particular race...this picture post was also one of my favorites...along with my first post after the race....It was such a moving experience. Can't wait until next year!
Ragnar: Odds, Ends and Awesome Stuff -- I wrote many posts about Ragnar...but this one collected most of my favorite moments in photo form....
How Do People Do This? -- My first post where I start to realize that denial re: the injury wasn't going to get me anywhere......especially if I planned to run there.
The Results Are In -- Official diagnoses of a labral tear in my left hip and a wicked case of upper hamstring tendonitis. And just like that....it's temporarily game over.
Finisher - Marathon #1 Done -- Except for this. Ha. I got permission to walk some of this race that I'd registered for prior to said injury but ended up walking the entire thing. Fortunately, it didn't set me back on the injury...and I can say that I've now completed a full marathon. And since I walked the damn thing, I'll likely knock a couple hours off my time when I actually get to run one!!
The Show Must Go On -- Speculating on the NYC Marathon that was scheduled right after Hurricane Sandy battered the NJ and NY coastlines. Then it was cancelled.....
Progress....Real Progress -- The patience is starting to pay off....I am getting there. I plan to return better than before....but it's slow going.
Thanks for reading this year!!
Showing posts with label sea of Blue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sea of Blue. Show all posts
Monday, December 17, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Rock and Roll Seattle - Race Recap
Reading blogs like I do, I've read a lot about Rock and Roll races. Some great stories, some not so great (Vegas, last December anyone?)....so I really didn't know what to expect. This was the 4th annual RnR in Seattle, the first with a brand new course starting and ending at Seattle Center. The first three featured a Point to Point course from Tukwila to Seattle and I've heard some crazy stories about those races, namely that trying to get to the start was tough. Having nothing to compare it to, I thought it was very well done. Extremely organized, excellent volunteers, and a super efficient operation.
Yesterday found us with cool cloudy weather and threatening rain. Over 22,000 runners toed the line for the race and the rain held off until about 4 hours into the marathon, when it started dumping. Hardcore, heavy Seattle rain. It may have felt good at first for those kickass 26.2 runners, but I am sure it quickly got cold and shivery.
Early leader in the Half. Source
Starting at the beginning, I woke up about 4am to pouring down rain and the smidges of a migraine. Boo. I was determined to make it go away- mind over matter, right? Took some excedrin and drank a cup of coffee and slowly started to feel better. It was nice to have an hour to get myself ready...forced myself to eat a bit and only drank one cup of coffee. And only a few sips of water. I didn't want to miss any of the Circle of Remembrance with the Wear Blue folks, so I was determined to make it so I wasn't spending that time in line for the port-a-potties. I was relatively successful. I went a couple times with minimal line waiting....then by the time the line got super long, I decided to just wait until mid race and find one on the course with no line. Only in a race recap is one so willing to discuss Port-a-Potties and going wee wee....but ask any racer and they'll tell you- this is a very important logistical detail!
Getting to the race was something I was sort of worried about but it turned out to be no big deal. I decided to use my locals only knowledge and skip the train in favor of the bus. Was perfect. Got me downtown in plenty of time and I even hopped another for several blocks to get closer the start. Easy peasy. And since this was such a big operation, it got some big sponsorships. Which means better perks for the participants. UPS was an excellent example. They provided the gear check services and it was SO well organized. Granted I got back there late to get my stuff and there was no line at that point.....but they had separate trucks broken down by last name so there was plenty of space for everyone and not one central spot where everyone had to wait in one or two lines to drop off or pick up. Very well done.
I found Jess and Deidra right away, we snapped a few pics and headed to the Wear Blue Corral. It was so cool to meet many people in person and to just be in the presence of all the energy there.
It was pretty powerful and it was so wonderful to see just as many Wear Blue volunteers as there were runners. It took an amazing amount of effort to make this presence possible and it was so full of impact. I loved every minute of it. The Flag holders, the volunteers that put out the posters of the Fallen Soldiers that we were honoring, the water station crew...everyone that made this possible--Thank You. You all showed such support and dedication and it was great to be a tiny part of it.
Heading back through the I-90 tunnel was sort of weird...It was all echoy and humid. But once we emerged from it, there was a nice breeze. This part had some killer hills though...up and down ramps from I-90 around the stadiums then up the ramp onto the Alaskan Way Viaduct. I was pretty tired by this point. This was my 4th half in 3 months....and I was definitely feeling it. My left knee was paining me but the pain mostly went away after the hills. When we were on I-90 near the stadiums, we actually saw the Marathon men's winner Ethiopian Teshome Kokebe, (who finished in 2:31:47) who had a nice little police escort as the leader of the pack. It was fun to yell for him as he literally sailed past us....
And of course, in true Seattle fashion, the last half mile or so to the finish was uphill. I was super proud of Rachel - she didn't stop to walk at all. We trudged up that hill and even put in a big kick at the top through the finish line.Tough girl.
Headed up Mercer to the finish....
When the marathoners rejoined the half, there was a nice separation between the two, which I've heard the marathoners appreciate. By the time a lot of them are finishing, the half field dwindles down to more walkers at that time so it can be frustrating for them to have to expend that extra energy to weave around walkers or slower runners. Another well thought out piece that was executed well. This separation extended all the way to finish line.
At the finish line, is was all fenced off and 'secure'...meaning only the runners could eat the post race food. Yay! I realize a lot of smaller races can't really do that and it's probably not very inviting, but you have to do that when there are that many racers and spectators. And a huge pet peeve of mine is when they run out stuff too early. I can't speak to what was left when by the time the majority of the marathoners finished, but it seemed well set up and that there was plenty of good recovery food to go around. Plenty of electrolytes, chocolate milk and water...fruit, carbs, bars....they pretty much had it all. I grabbed some carbs, a banana and my favorite post race treat-chocolate milk, and literally stuffed my face...I was starving!
Despite missing Jess and Deidra finishing their 26.2, it was cool to stand there cheering on some folks as they finished. I saw a lot of Wear Blue runners and that was fun to cheer really loud for them. And the cop directing traffic at that intersection was pretty pissy, thus entertaining as well. It did start pouring and got super cold so I hoofed it back to get my stuff. By that point, Seattle Center was pretty much cleared out. People were huddled with their red space capes under overhangs and in doorways trying to keep dry. It was a little sad and miserable looking.
I got my stuff in a quick minute and headed over to the Centerhouse to take the monorail home. It was packed with folks mowing down on food. All the people that didn't take off when it started pouring went in there to eat. I added my dry warm layers and jumped on the monorail to get back to Westlake and was home in about half hour. Spent the rest of the day recovering and I feel much better today. Definitely need another session with the foam roller tonight though.
Overall, this was a very well done race. There were lots of people but everything was organized so well that I didn't feel crowded on the course much at all, there was plenty of post race fuel, and I had a phenomenal experience running with Wear Blue. I will most definitely do this race again next year--but for sure the full.
Despite missing Jess and Deidra finishing their 26.2, it was cool to stand there cheering on some folks as they finished. I saw a lot of Wear Blue runners and that was fun to cheer really loud for them. And the cop directing traffic at that intersection was pretty pissy, thus entertaining as well. It did start pouring and got super cold so I hoofed it back to get my stuff. By that point, Seattle Center was pretty much cleared out. People were huddled with their red space capes under overhangs and in doorways trying to keep dry. It was a little sad and miserable looking.
I got my stuff in a quick minute and headed over to the Centerhouse to take the monorail home. It was packed with folks mowing down on food. All the people that didn't take off when it started pouring went in there to eat. I added my dry warm layers and jumped on the monorail to get back to Westlake and was home in about half hour. Spent the rest of the day recovering and I feel much better today. Definitely need another session with the foam roller tonight though.
Overall, this was a very well done race. There were lots of people but everything was organized so well that I didn't feel crowded on the course much at all, there was plenty of post race fuel, and I had a phenomenal experience running with Wear Blue. I will most definitely do this race again next year--but for sure the full.
Sea of Blue
There are so many great photos of yesterday's race that I had to do another post to share some of the wonderful things I saw and experienced. Full recap to follow.
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Getting ready to start in the shadow of the Needle. Source
Carrying the Flag along the Viaduct. Source
CW3 Frank Buoniconti
SPC Aaron Aamot
Army Staff Sgt. Nathan Wyrick
Mike and I in our space capes
At the start...Source
Along the Wear Blue Mile. Source
Another great shot on the Viaduct. Source
Remembering the Fallen. Source
Marathoners along I-90. Source
Me and my girls - Jess and D. Let's do this!
Mike, Erin and I
Most of the Wear Blue runners. Source
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Rachel and I at the finish. Source
Some nice hardware...Source
On the Wear Blue Mile. Source.
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