Will I Ever Run Again?

Today marks 3 weeks since I ran the Seattle Marathon. I have not run a step since Seattle. I hope to want to run again, but I haven't yet. I did get an inkling of it today so I think it'll come back. In the meantime, I'm relaxing and skiing. Perhaps I ran too much.

Not For Running

I don't buy shoes often, just one or two pairs a year, but when I do get a new pair I make sure they are good shoes so my feet will be happy and healthy. Bad shoes can ruin your feet and limit your running. With that excuse in mind, please let me introduce you to my new shoes:

Seattle Marathon - Check

Bouvier and I rocked Seattle on the weekend, as did AC/DC!

We attended the awesome city for the Seattle Marathon, resting comfortably for the two nights at the Westin Seattle, right downtown and on the marathon route. There were awesome restaurants (funky and nice), shops, scenery, the market, and the fun of staying in the same hotel as most runners and as AC/DC who were playing there on the weekend. Bouvier made good friends with one of the road crew, and one of the singers who was staying on our floor.


On Friday night we had a decadent dinner at a funky diner across from the hotel. I ate too much diner, had too much desert, drank too much wine, and woke up Saturday feeling icky. Hung-over we wandered the town and slept much of Saturday, then met up with my friends Allison and Ramsey for dinner. Allison would be running the marathon as well, and Ramsey the half.

Sunday morning came and I was feeling ok. I got up early for breaky so that I'd be able to recycle it and feed the fish prior to running. At about 7:30 we walked the 1 mile down 5th avenue from the hotel to the start line, arriving about 20 minutes before the race start. It was really nice to attend a relatively small event (there were about 2,500 in the marathon and about 7,000 in the half) after the circus of Boston which was my last marathon.


I started out comfortably, but according to my GPS I was running too fast. I tried to slow myself but couldn't. I maintained a really good pace for the first 30k or so, and was on pace for a 3:40 marathon. The last 10k is always tough and I knew there were a couple hills, and that I'd slow. But in reality, the last 10k was super hilly for a road marathon and I suffered greatly. I was really disappointed on a steep hill to see theh 3:45 pace bunny pass me by. I pleaded with him not to pass me, but pass me he did.


In the end, I finished in 3:46 (chip time) which was a bit slower than I hoped for, but it was an ok time nonetheless. I had an awesome finishing kick sprinting down the astro turf of the football stadium. The Marathon web site promply posts an incredible variety of info for each runner. You can see mine here http://www.runpix.info/sea08/42/finord.php?LastName=2079&lan=&aset=0 and it show me that although I really suffered in the second half, I actually passed 148 people, while only 42 passed me. I finished 9th out of 95 in my age group, and was the 86th woman out of almost 700.


Through the last 10k I really questioned why the heck I do this, and promised myself "never again"! A few days later that sentiment is fading, but as I watch the attached video clip, I am brought back to the agony of the moment. Although the course was tough, it was also really nice and a great course for friends and family to watch from. I highly recommend this marathon for those who appreciate the pain and gain of a marathon experience. I may try another one. I could even try Seattle again. Bouvier really liked all the attention and fuss about him at the Westin and will undoubtedly insist we return again.

Bouvier Ready to Rock Seattle!

Well, it's almost time. On Sunday I'll be running the Seattle Marathon. I have not recovered properly since crashing and burning after my 34.5km run two weekends ago, so am a little concerned, but hope to at least run in the 3:45 range if not get the PB I was hoping for a few weeks back. I think what I've learned is to build up and run, rather than building up and trying to sustain it and then run. In short, more of the big runs closer to the date next time. All good learning for my redemption run at Boston, which is next up on the marathon schedule after Seattle.

Anywho, Bouvier and Guy are coming to Seattle with me, so it'll be a nice weekend away regardless. We're staying at the Seattle Westin, with a "view" room and a Heavenly Dog Bed for Bouvier. Next post will be post run, so see ya on the dark side of the moon!

Last Long Run

Yesterday I did my last long run before the Seattle Marathon, in 2.5 weeks time. I ran 34.5 km on a very difficult course which had a 6km climb in the middle of it, and ended with another 6km climb up Mountain Highway to home. It was a tough run and was really hard to get through.

Everytime I wanted to quit, I had to remind myself that if I didn't do my long run now, I'd have to do it on the weekend.

I think I found it so hard because my legs were probably tired from the race on Saturday, and because of the difficulty of the route I selected. My longer runs of 37 and 50km in weeks past were easier for me, so I'll hope for that feeling in Seattle. This picture is me during a chat break on my 50k, and how I'll try to remember to feel when running Seattle - relaxed, happy, and just having a good time.

From here on in, I'll just do shorter (less than 20k) runs, and a couple of interval sessions. This is the most prepared I've felt for a marathon - I'm actually looking forward to running and seeing how I can do.

Bouvier is doing well these days too, and is happy I'm done my long run so I can spend extra time giving him belly rubs and treats! He's such a spoiled little beast. By the way, he turned 13 last week! Happy Birthday Teddy!

H2H

Yesterday I ran as part of an 8 woman team in the Haney to Harrison 100km relay. Our team was called the North Shore Divas - all but one of us being from the North Shore. This is our team, including our crew people, Ward and Mark.

It was a very rainy day, but we managed to keep warm and safe and complete the epic relay in 49th place of the 350 teams that started. Not bad since most teams were comprised of men or were mixed. There were only 18 teams comprised soley of women, and we were 6th out of those 18. Again, the competition was fierce, with several teams affiliated with track clubs - a level of seriousness above us.

Guess What I Did?

Saturday was a beautiful fall day. A beautiful sunrise amid some big clouds led to a crisp day of sunshine and temperatures in the low to mid-teens. So, what's a girl to do but run. This is a picture of me during my 50 km run on Saturday!

50 km is my furthest distance ever on the road. I ran in the Club Fat Ass Seawall 100 miler. Yup, a 100 mile run on pavement. Only one person attempted the full distance, overcome by a bout of sanity and abandoning after about 14 hours and about 70 miles!

My running time was 4:44, with my marathon split being 3:55. My pace was comfortable and easy, just out enjoying the day. I wasn't pushing it at all, and really wanted to go further than 50, but decided it best to save my legs for Seattle. I ran into Millie, Bax, and their dad along the way, out for a stroll on the seawall, and also helped to capture a run away beagle in the west end! You may recall that my Boston time was 3:58, so even my easy long runs are faster than that painful experience at Boston.

My 50 km has given me the confidence to have a Seattle objective of a PB. My best so far is 3:43 at Haida Gwaii, but I think I'm ready to better that (and maybe even go sub-3:40!). Bouvier will be joining me in Seattle, where he'll wait for me in his "heavenly bed" in our view suite at the Westin Hotel.