Summer Running Projects

I reached a huge goal this past week by running in the inaugural Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon. I did the entire 26.2 miles in 5:11 – not the fastest, and about 30 minutes slower than I had intended, but happy to have reached this milestone and had the experience. Now I can focus on improving my time. The pic above is of me about to cross the finish line. While I don’t expect to ever qualify for Boston, I do plan to make this a biannual occurrence. I’m hoping to run a second full marathon later this year – possibly the California International Marathon in early December. The weather is always beautiful that time of year in Northern California, and the course is pretty much downhill from Folsom to the Capital.

It was a beautiful day for the Rock and Roll. My favorite part was running across I-90 out to Mercer Island and back, and then across the top of the viaduct. With plans to tear down the viaduct and build an underground highway along the water, I wonder if last weekend’s race will be the last time anyone gets to see Seattle from that vantage point? It was an incredible view, with not a cloud in the sky. Least favorite part – running through the tunnels all the way up to Queen Anne hill. Running across the Union Lake bridge, watching the faster runners pass by on my right, was the most difficult for me.

Prior to the Rock and Roll, I also ran my first 10k out here in Duvall, as part of the Duvall Days festivities. A bit fast for me. I’ve run “the hill” on plenty of occasions (pictured below, left), but not that fast. I completed the 6-mile course in just over 54 minutes, and enjoyed the light drizzle of rain. I’ve decided that I prefer running in the rain, in fact.

My legs are still a bit sore this week, but I am planning to head into the gym this afternoon for a couple hours, then get a deep tissue massage. It’s all good.