Sunday, January 10, 2016

The 2015 Seattle Half Marathon: chilly and hilly.

After my triathlon in July I kind of didn't exercise for a bit a few months. So in order to get back into it I signed up for the Seattle Half Marathon.


Well, maybe not ever, but not my best plan. Because in the fall it gets dark here before afternoon tea, I had to do the majority of my training on my treadmill.


I'm not really a fan.

But, I slogged through as best I could and soon enough it was race day.

I was grateful that there was no rain or snow this year, since that is never a guarantee. Nevertheless, it was just above freezing first thing in the morning and you know me: I show up prepared.


My training didn't go quite as planned (when does it ever?), so I decided to play it safe and go with a 4:1 run/walk interval, like I'd used so much in my training. My hopes of getting a sub 2 this year were long gone and I wanted to make sure I didn't hate the run. Plus, my longest training run had been 8 miles.

I wasn't expecting much. I had:


I was hoping to beat my course PR from 2010 of 2:26:17, which was only my second ever half marathon. I also really wanted to come in under 2:20:00.

I started the race somewhere in the back half of the pack and stuck to my plan...pretty much. I knew there would probably be times that would require more walking since there were a few hills.

Along the way, there were some encouraging spectators.


It felt good to be up the big hill. Until I started the next one.


As I recall possibly incorrectly the course was completely uphill. Especially the hill that started around mile 7 and must have lasted at least 5 miles. All that went through my head was the following:

You could actually see it winding up and up ahead of you FOREVER.

It did finally end as we plummeted down over the freeway toward the water, which was super fun after all that climbing.

And then I ran into another helpful spectator about 1.5 miles from the end.


Are you freaking KIDDING ME????

Who designs these courses?? (Also, those poor full marathoners!)

I pushed up that final hill, passed TriGuy for a quick wave and burst of energy, and crossed the finish with a time of 2:17:39. It wasn't a distance PR by any stretch, but it was a course PR by 8 minutes and 38 seconds!

After the race, we grabbed our car and TriGuy's cousin and headed home.  While I "rested" they made Thanksgiving Dinner!


Lucky me!

It was a successful race for me but I don't think I'll be running it again. And not just because of the hills and the cold, but because...


So if you live in the area, LET ME KNOW!

You can email me, tweet me, message me, whatever. I've never lived in California but I'm looking forward to some sunshine!

Oh, and maybe some warmer race starts!


Seriously though, hit me up if you know some good places to run, race, drink coffee, etc...

22 comments:

  1. Well, you know me, I don't live there but I want to come visit you :-)

    xoxo

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    Replies
    1. And you are absolutely welcome :D Come on down! Er, up.

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  2. Fantastic recap as usual. But now I can't get that song out of my head! The move is exciting-- I've bare changed zip codes.

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    1. Thanks Coco! Sorry about the song. It's super annoying. Can I help you replace it? Something by Adele..."Hello" perhaps?

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  3. I think you did an amazingly wonderful job in that race!!! You faced a ton of challenges along the way and managed a huge PR. KUDOS!!!!
    And I'm excited for your move! Although selfishly I wish you were moving closer to me, I'm super excited to come and visit...like...soon!

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    Replies
    1. I am incredibly grateful for all your help with my training, both physical and mental--it was a tough one but the race was good!
      I wish that too--maybe in a few years...? But you really do need to come visit!!

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  4. Awesome! Congrats on your personal course record and surviving the hills and on your pending move. I grew up about 45 minutes from LA in a small suburb named Camarillo (their motto is "Come for the outlet malls, stay for the all encompassing smell of cabbage."). I loved LA. But haven't been back in a decade so I doubt any of my recommendations are still there. (Although Roscoe's Chicken And Waffles is an institution and I once saw Ice T there.)

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    1. Thanks Pickle! Oh boy, sounds like I need to add Camarillo to my 'must see list' :) I appreciate the recommendation for the restaurant though--that place is legendary!

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  5. Really creative post and story Julie! And good job on the race. The hills are a double-whammy to the already difficult mental challenge of one foot in front of the other....

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  6. OMG, you are so funny!!!!!! I am in Orange County south of LA and about 15 minutes south of Dland again depending on traffic.. It can be anywhere from 1 - 3 hours depending on traffic and where you live in that area because it is a large area.! ;) When are you moving. Is this for a job?

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    1. Thanks Jody :D
      That is such a crazy timeframe for traffic--it will take some getting used to!
      I'm moving next month; my husband got a job there :)

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  7. Great recap! have I told you that I'm totally in love with your artwork? ;-) (I'm in Iowa, but was just in LA recently for the Rose Bowl, etc.) Good luck with your relocation!

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    1. Thank you Kimberly :)
      Oh, the Rose Bowl--I bet that was fun!

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  8. I'm from LA...whereabouts are you going to move? I have friends all over and can point you in the right direction! Not sure if it's closed, but the LA marathon is a good one-I've done the 5K around Dodger Stadium and the park.

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    1. Hi Linda! That would be fantastic, thank you! I am moving to Santa Monica for now. And then we will probably stay in the same general area even if we move--maybe head a bit south like Culver City-ish.

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  9. My hubby grew up in Culver City-it's changed a lot since he lived there-but you are pretty close to the beach and Will Rogers park for running. Here's a goal….train hills and then to Catalina Island half (or full). The views are SO worth it!

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    1. Thanks! I will definitely be running on the beach and I'll have to check out Will Rogers...more hills, you say? I'll certainly consider it!

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  10. Haha, that really made me smile! I have run in all kinds of temperatures, really really cold Canadian winters and also scorching hot summer days, but I have to say I despise the wind more than anything else. Super cute pictures!

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    1. Thank you Julie! I think I agree with you--wind is the worst!!

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