Leavenworth Half Marathon

The Leavenworth Half Marathon was set to take place on October 4, and I was quite nervous.  My leg STILL wasn’t healing the way it should, and I hadn’t been training appropriately.  Although  I’d been doing my physical therapy exercises religiously, going to the gym [almost] daily, and taking yoga classes 2-3 times per week, I hadn’t run at all in the several weeks prior to the race (per doctor advice).   I’d spent a lot of time trying to simulate the cardio demands of running on the low-impact elliptical machine (up to 1 hour, 45 minutes at a time), but this certainly wasn’t the same as pounding the pavement.  I wasn’t sure what to expect.

Katie, Issac, and I took off on Friday evening and stopped in Leavenworth before heading to our camping accommodations at the Lake Wenatchee Campground (just 30 minutes outside of town). Leavenworth was bustling with revelers filling the streets for the Oktoberfest Festival.  Many had costumes, and lots were clearly intoxicated.  It was definitely a festive atmosphere.

The race started at 9:00AM on Saturday morning.  The weather was perfect-- not too hot or cold and DRY (!!).  The course began at the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery and went into the village (briefly) and along the Wenatchee River.  We were surrounded by mountains and beautiful scenery, but I have to admit, as much as I tried to admire it, I found myself looking at the ground for most of the time.

My left leg was bothersome, yet it wasn’t super-painful.  This was better than anticipated.  I had moments of doubt as I was running (“Am I really going to be able to do this?!”), but I made it through! I tried not to think about time and just let myself run at a pace that wouldn’t leave me broken or aggravate my injury.  This was hard.  My GPS died at about mile 8, which left me guessing how fast I was running.  I knew that I’d slowed down.  Issac and I ran a few miles together, but I lost him as he sprinted up a hill.  I started counting my steps as I watched the mile markers pass by, and I was happy to see the finish line. 

As always, here are my stats: time= 1:56:35 (12 minutes slower than my PR); pace= 8:54 per mile; place in my age category= 36 out of 226 female runners; place overall= 356 out of 1,629 runners.  Having not run for a while, both legs were surprisingly sore the next day. 

After the race, we were able to enjoy some of the Oktoberfest shenanigans.  We also went for a hike on Sunday.  It was a fun getaway.


Leavenworth, a Bavarian village nestled in the Cascade Mountains,
served as the perfect backdrop for this destination race.

Finish line photo with me, Issac, and Katie

Post-finish photo with me, Issac, and Andrew (who
completed the full marathon)

We met lots of interesting people as we partook
in Oktoberfest, many clad in dirndls and lederhosen.

Our Sunday hike up Nason Ridge was perfect.  Hooray for
fall hiking in the sunshine!

No one likes a whiner, and I certainly don’t want to be one.  I hate how so many of my recent running posts have been about my frustrations with my left leg.  I don’t want to be dramatic about the situation, but I am discouraged that it isn’t back to normal yet.  It has undoubtedly improved, but it’s just not the same as it used to be.  It constantly gives me this nagging, aching feeling.  What am I doing wrong?!  I’ve seen a Sports Medicine Doctor and a Physical Therapist, and I’m still trying to get to the bottom of this question.  I hope to isolate the variable that is prolonging the recovery process (maybe something as simple as hyper-extending during yoga classes?) and move on with an active life.  I don’t want my running journey to end here!

Team Road Killers Conquers Ragnar Northwest Passage

Last year, I ventured into the great unknown of a Ragnar overnight running relay race for the first time.  I discovered what it was like to cover 200 miles of road on a team of 12 and share the adrenaline rush, pain, joy, and stench of the experience with 5 van mates.  I felt the camaraderie of being on a relay team; I learned lots about Ragnar traditions and customs; I met some really cool people; I saw some gorgeous scenery; and I had a blast.  I was ready to do it again!

Ragnar Northwest Passage 2014 was equally enjoyable.  There were a few bumps along the way, but it still turned out to be an epic experience.   Our team was the Road Killers, which consisted of six new friends from California in van one and the following folks in our van: me, Adam, Sergio, Rachel J, Luis, and Issac.  We ‘killed’ it on the course!

Prior to the start of the race, I was a bit nervous.  I became a captain of our team and had the extra responsibility of organizing, coordinating, and rallying the troops.  My tendonitis was still flaring up in my lower left hamstring, and my IT Bands were as tight and inflamed as can be.  I stretched, rolled out, did PT exercises as much as I could, and felt skeptical.  But I didn’t want to miss out on this much-anticipated event! 

Yet, once the race started, things fell into place.  I completed my 18.6 [hilly] miles with much less pain than I’d envisioned, and things [almost] went off without a hitch!  There was one botched exchange, though, during which the other van somehow went to the site for exchange 18 instead of the correct site of exchange 12.  When Issac (our last runner) arrived to ceremoniously slap the slap-wrap “baton” onto the next runner, our fellow Road Killers were nowhere to be found.  But, after some deliberation, he ran a few extra miles and met them later down the course.  We took it all in stride.

Here are some photos from the Road Killers’ Ragnar Northwest Passage experience 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pictures feature: van 2 group carbo-loading the night before the race, van decorations, me taking off for the first time-- starting off the race for van 2, several exchanges, views of nighttime running, Deception Pass, Issac bringing it home for the team, and our photo finish.  Can’t you just tell how fun and beautiful it was?!

It took us 28 hours, 47 minutes, 10 seconds to complete the course.  We ended in 115th place out of the 455 teams that finished the entire race.  But we should get first place for having the most spirit!

My left hamstring is still not back to normal, and I’ve accepted the reality that I should not run until it’s fully healed.  (I know, I know!  I keep saying it and fail to follow my own advice.  But I really am taking a break this time).  I think that this may be just around the corner-- hooray!  I look forward to more running adventures… although I'll wait to take part in another overnight race until year!

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon

Ladies and gentleman, I have proof that I am getting faster!  I completed the Lake Sammamish Half Marathon in 1:44:46 on Saturday.  For frame of reference, my time for the same race in 2013 was 1:58:22.  That’s an improvement of 13 minutes, 36 seconds.  Not only is it a personal record, it’s also validation that my hard work is paying off!

The weather cooperated perfectly for the race.  It was a beautiful sunrise as we drove over to Redmond at 6:00AM (lovely shades of purple, pink, yellow, and orange over the water and mountains), and it didn’t start raining until we were driving home afterward.  The course was flat (hooray!), and it took us from Marymoor Park to Lake Sammamish State Park with pretty scenery surrounding us for most of the way.   About 30% of the run was on gravel surface, and 70% was on pavement. 

The Lake Sammamish Half Marathon came right in the midst of marathon training for me—with my most recent long run spanning 17 miles.  I’ve been having shin pain recently, but my shins gave me surprisingly little trouble during the run.  My legs (especially my quads) started to feel tired near the end of the race, but I felt really good overall.  Issac and I ran the first 9 miles (or so) together, which is another sign that I’m getting faster because he used to leave me in his dust!  My fastest miles were 6 and 7 (7:52 and 7:54, respectively), and my slowest mile was 12 (8:34). 

Here are my stats for the race: official finish time= 1:44:46, pace per mile= 8:00 (8-minute-miles right on the nose!); place in my division= 48 out of 426; place out of female finishers= 110 out of 1,150; and place overall= 327 out of 1,785 finishers.  Rumor has it that the course was 0.2 miles too short, which would mean my actual pace would be 8:07 per mile.  This would still be a 13.1-mile PR for me by several minutes, so I’ll take it!


Here I am at the crowded start line, excited to get moving!

Race photos are never flattering (how do they always manage to capture images at the perfect angle to make everyone look wiiiiiiiiide?!), but I like this picture of me and Issac because we are completely in unison with our stride.   Look at our feet-- we are in sync!



I was very content with the race.  In fact, I was so happy at the finish line that I snapped a picture of the computer screen displaying my official finish time.

Perhaps I’ll make Lake Sammamish an annual tradition.  Who knows—maybe next year I’ll have increased even more in speed?!

West Seattle Fat Ass 25K

My Super Bowl Sunday started at 5:15AM as I prepared for the West Seattle Fat Ass 25K/50K, a self-described "no fee, no shirt, no aid, no whining fun run" that started and ended in Lincoln Park (with donations covering the costs of the event +  the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).   Many members of the Seattle Green Lake Running Group were there for support, camaraderie, and carpools, and it turned out to be a lovely morning along the Seattle waterfront.  

I really appreciated the relaxed, low-key atmosphere of the run; it didn't have the normal nervous tension that often accompanies races.  People were treating it as more of a training run, and I chatted with other runners the whole way.  I have to admit that my legs got tired the last couple miles, but it was still a lot of fun.

25K converts to 15.53 miles (my GPS calculated the course at 15.54 miles, so it was very close!).  My official time was 2:18:19, but it included a couple stops to chat with people and one for the bathroom.  That is about 8:54 per mile, but this run was definitely not about times.

The view of downtown Seattle was exquisite at the start.
Look for the 12th Man tribute!

Members of the Seattle Green Lake Running Group gathered
for a 7:00AM start-line photo as a ferry passed 
by in the background.

The Space Needle was picturesque with clouds on the
 water beneath it.  Jamie stopped to take a picture of Morgan
and me as we ran by it, but I almost crashed into that pole
 attempting to run backwards!

I ran with Jamie for almost the entire course.  Like lots of others, she
was clad in her best Seahawks gear.  People shouted "Go hawks!"
as we passed.

Here I am with fellow members of the SGRLG after we'd reached
the treats and drinks at the finish line.

After the run was over, we were able to watch history in the making as the Seahawks became Super Bowl champions.  What a glorious day!

Nookachamps Half Marathon: The Ultimate Battle

Here we are with our fellow running group members
in the comfort of the gymnasium-- before heading
out into the elements.

I had really looked forward to the Nookachamps Half Marathon.  I’d been feeling faster and stronger; I’d noticed my mile times getting lower and lower.  For the first time in my life, my Runkeeper app was showing me mile split times on long runs of 7:42, 7:46, 7:48, and 7:54.  This was my chance to show the world that I’m getting speedier!  I was incredibly eager to get a time in the 1:40’s.


Here I am near the finish line.  I'm
trying hard to conceal my misery!

However, it just wasn’t meant to be.  I came to this realization as I heard the rain pouring and wind howling the night before the run.  As I got out of bed on race day, I felt very congested (yuck!) and became apprehensive about the adverse weather conditions.  I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty.

As we traveled to Mount Vernon, we got a false sense of hope when we saw a patch of blue sky … But it soon disappeared!  The race was undoubtedly the most unpleasant run of my life.  We ran into a headwind for probably about 95% of the course, and the winds were so strong that I noticed that the people ahead of me had an awkward sideways lean to their gait. Gusts of wind felt like they were body-slamming me as they reached 50mph, and I was soaked to the bone.  It seemed to take twice as much effort than normal to go anywhere.   I tried to engage in positive self-talk to convince myself that I was having fun, but I couldn't deny the fact that I was absolutely miserable.

With that said, it was still the best half marathon time that I have on record!  My official finish time was 1:51:31, which is 8:30 per mile  (my last half marathon time was 1:52:13).  I finished in 97th place out of 300 male/female runners.  In spite of being so cold that my teeth were chattering and so wet that my shoes had about a half inch of water at the bottom, I really did have a strong sense of accomplishment.

I am optimistic that all future runs will have more enjoyable conditions, and my fingers are crossed that I'll continue to make great strides with my running!

Onward and Upward!

Now that the big, bad Portland Marathon is out of the way, the question is: What’s next?  The answer is: More running (and a few other athletic pursuits)!

I had been so tunnel-vision focused on my first full marathon that it seemed like the end-all be-all for me.  But that isn’t true!  I now have a calendar full of events to keep me focused and diligent in my training efforts.  Here is what 2014 has in store for me thus far:

• January 11: Nookachamps Half Marathon in Mount Vernon, WA
• February 2: Half Ass 25K (15 miles) in West Seattle, WA
• February 8: Snow Shoe 5K race in Cle Elum, WA (tentative)
• February 11 and 17: Jump rope fitness events at local elementary schools
• March 8: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon in Redmond, WA
• March 23: RainMan Indoor Triathlon in Seattle, WA
• April 6: Bridges to Brews 10K in Portland, OR
• May 4: Vancouver Full Marathon in Vancouver, Canada (another full marathon!!) 

Here’s hoping that I remain injury-free as I work on improving my speed and maintaining my endurance in the months to come!  Be on the lookout for race updates.

Girls on the Run

I was instructed not to post any pictures of participants
 online, but here I am at the start of the much-anticipated
 final 5K(in 23-degree weather, mind you!)!  You will
note that everyone who takes part in the run is #1.  Love it! 

I found a great way to combine my newfound love of running with a meaningful volunteer opportunity: Girls on the Run.  This afterschool program for girls in 3rd through 5th grade strives to “inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.” 

My role as a running buddy was to serve as a cheerleader/encourager/coach for one girl during two 5K’s (a practice race and a big event with all of the girls/buddies from around the county).  It was fun to interact with elementary school girls and watch how they were able to motivate themselves to finish a full 5K.  It seemed so daunting at first!  It’s a great program with lots of important lessons for young ladies, and I enjoyed my small part in it.  The experience reminded me of the goal-setting, challenges, lessons, and rewards of my own running journey!

5K Race to Save the Day!

I had typed up a full reflection of my first post-marathon race (a light-hearted fun run called the Everyday Superheroes 5K in Bellingham), but Blogger decided to completely erase it.  I have neither the time nor the patience to re-create what I'd written, so I will let the photos stand on their own.  After all, this run was certainly not about the running -- it was about the costumes!

We used our creativity,  two recycled Halloween costumes, decorative duct tape, and old blankets to become Super Hilary, Bat Nurse* (*Bat Woman mask not featured in photo), and Super Taco!!  The highlight of the entire event was when Super Taco was announced as the winner of the costume contest and awarded with a crisp $100 bill.  This was double the prize money that the overall winner of the race received!  

It was oodles of fun, and I am certain that we will accomplish many great feats now that we've unleashed our inner superheroes... Only time will tell what obstacles we'll overcome and villains we'll defeat as we continue our quests to be powerful forces of good!

Fremont Oktoberfest 5K

Teams were in groups of four.  Our team consisted of Chris, Issac,
 myself, and Rachel.  Rachel and Issac will be running the
PDX Marathon, too! 

In the spirit of getting all of the prerace jitters out with a fun race before the big marathon, we recently took part in the Fremont Oktoberfest 5K.  It was a great event!

I will now provide you with all of my stats (just to be consistent with my previous posts): pace= 8:02 per mile, place in my division = 18 out of 199, place out of female finishers = 38 out of 557, and place overall = 148 out of 971.  I had a great time at this race, although I was just slightly disappointed my pace wasn’t just a bit faster.  My Runkeeper app had me tracking at 7:47-minute miles, so I’d led myself to believe I’d have a better time.  Oh, well!  My legs were still a bit tired from the previous day’s long run, which had included several mountainous hills.  Thus, I was still happy nonetheless.

The next time I have a race number pinned to my shirt will be in Portland!

Running High to Running Low

I sprinted down the home stretch.

August 3rd marked my fourth half-marathon since I ran my first one less than a year ago, and I am happy to report that it was my best time yet!  We took part in the Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon, a hilly course that began at the Tacoma Narrows Airport in Gig Harbor, crossed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, included a lap around Cheney Stadium, and finished near Tollefson Plaza in Downtown Tacoma.   

Here are my stats: overall time= 1:52:13, pace= 8:33 per mile, place out of 30-34-year-old women= 17th out of 83, place out of female runners= 67th out of 468, and place out of all male/female finishers= 206th out of 794. 



We proudly display our medals at the finish line.

I was very pleased with my pacing on this race.  Pacing has continuously been a struggle for me.  With so much adrenaline and determination pumping through me at the start line, I often start out full-force with sub-8-minute miles that are difficult for me to sustain.  By mile 10, I’ve usually run out of gas.  However, this time, I stayed very close to the 8:30 pace throughout the 13.1 miles.  I finished feeling strong and remarkably energized.

This pacing success boosted my running ego, and I was finally feeling confident about the upcoming full marathon... But that didn't last long!   Exactly one week after the Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon, I had one of my worst runs yet.

I set out for a 16-mile run early Saturday morning with a running group.  I had been dealing with an upset stomach and perhaps was already dehydrated, yet I didn't feel that crummy... until we started moving.  I struggled with keeping up with my running partners and eventually had to ask them to continue on without me.  I soon was walking (walking is the runner's ultimate shame!), and every ailment I've ever had  seemed to be conspiring against me (my foot, my hamstring, my calf, my knee, etc.).  My stomach hurt; I had horrible side aches; I urgently needed to find a restroom; and I found myself spiraling down a path of negativity. 

I got lost after attempting to trek on for several miles by myself and tried to make a collect phone call (from a pay phone) to ask Issac to come and pick me up, although I was informed that collect calls cannot be made to cell numbers.  I thought about asking strangers to use their cell phones, although I was sweating so profusely that I was certain they would want me anywhere near their fragile devices.  I ultimately pulled myself together and was able to run home-- only to discover that I was locked out.  (My keys and phone were a few miles away, where I'd parked my car to meet-up with the running group that morning).  It had been over 3.5 hours since I'd first departed for the run.  I felt the complete opposite of strong and energized; I felt fully defeated.

As I reflect about these contrasting experiences, I accept that I'll have both good and bad running days.  I can't expect that every run will be my best, and I'll need to push through all of the physical and psychological challenges to keep at it -- even when it's not pleasant to do so.  I'm just crossing my fingers that October 6, 2013 will be a "good" running day for me.  Let the mental pep talks begin!

Shore Run = Fun

Here I am enjoying a
post-race water and banana.

The photo finish.  Once again, I felt
the need to treat it like a victory.

Running in an organized, sanctioned fun run certainly beats the monotony of running alone.  There’s the excitement of running with 1,000’s of other folks; you get the challenge of zigzagging through the crowds of people on the course; you usually receive an awesome technical shirt (or at least a t-shirt); and you support a good cause with your entry fee.  It’s a win-win situation!

The latest fun run on my list is the Shore Run, a 10K (6.21 mile) race to benefit the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.   I probably do not need to give a full report of my experiences throughout the 6.21 miles, but here are my stats: pace= 8:31 per mile, place= 19th out of 82 in my gender/age division, place = 90th out of 501 female runners, and place= 253rd out of 865 finishers.

I really enjoyed the Shore Run, and I hope that many more fun runs will be in my near and distant future.

I Beat the Bridge!



A pre-race photo

Can you spot the banana?

Sunday, I went on my first official run since the infamous hamstring pull just over 7 weeks ago.  I was a bit nervous beforehand, yet was pleasantly surprised because (although my leg was tight and sore) I did not experience much pain.  Halleluiah!  It was a nice way to get the momentum rolling as I transition into a more rigorous running schedule.

We participated in Beat the Bridge, a charitable fun run to support type 1 diabetes research.  The 8K(which is just under 5 miles) course was relatively flat and even included a few gradual downhill sections.  This was my kind of race! 

The objective of the run is to cross over Seattle’s University Bridge before it is raised (which is only 20 minutes into the race and approximately 2 miles from the start)—causing runners to be stranded on one side of it.   I am happy to report that everyone in our group had surpassed this point with ample time before the bridge was drawn.  My only goal had been to “beat the bridge.”  Mission accomplished.

My stats for Beat the Bridge: pace per mile= 8:29, place in my division= 73 out of 581, and place out of all female runners= 349 out of 2,745.  I certainly wasn’t #1, but I’m not complaining!

Issac passed me at mile three, and I knew I wouldn’t see him until the end of the race.  In fact, he was so far ahead of me that he had enough time to film this video of my dramatic crossing of the finish line:

 

(Just look for the only runner who has her arms up in the air.  Not sure why I always feel the need to treat each finish like a victory.  I guess I’m a firm believer in acting like a champion, even if you’re in 349^th place).

 

I’ve decided that I now have a new goal: Beat the Issac.  It’s highly unlikely that it will ever happen, but I have high aspirations. 

And now that I have determined that I am physically capable of running in a safe and responsible manner, I will continue hitting the pavement and cranking out the miles as I prepare for more enthralling fun runs in the near future…