Rock N Roll Seattle

Yesterday, I began the Seattle Rock N Roll half marathon with over thirty thousand other people. It was an entertaining two hours of people watching, filled with memorable moments. They began with the two ladies waiting in line for the porta potties, wearing shorts, t-shirts and plastic garbage bags over the top.  It was a bright sunny day and I'm still hoping they took those off before they started running.  Next came my favorite person.  The Police Officer at mile one who said, "You guys are doing great...the finish line is just around the corner."  The true to form cynicism of a Police Officer!  This kept me laughing for the next mile! There were great costumes too.  I just keep wondering how comfortable they can be about an hour into the race. Especially the sequins, lays and wigs!!  Mostly this race was filled with great enthusiasm and I always love seeing so many people in one place doing something healthy.  I'm hoping everyone is feeling good today.

For myself...it was a fun race.  I'm a bit of a loaner when it comes to racing.  I know tons of my friends were out there running but I didn't manage to see anyone.  Fortunately there was an enormous amount of traffic, so I didn't make it to the start on time.  I started with the thirteenth wave, rather than the third wave.  This probably came as an advantage, slowing me down and helping me stick to my target pace.  It took awhile to weave though the crowd and I finally found my stride.  I was completely happy I signed up for the half marathon at mile eleven, when I was ready to be DONE!  I rounded the corner to the finish and heard Eric and Karie yelling at me.  Yeah, they found me!  I crossed the finish in 1:53:25.  Not too bad for a season of triathlon training, not really paying attention to my running pace.  I finished just in time to see the male winner of the MARATHON!  Amazing!

I'm usually not to worried about what I wear, or even if it matches.  Last weekend, I went with Darlene to see some clothes by Oiselle.  Darlene has told me how amazing these running clothes are, so I finally decided to give them a try.  Oiselle's clothes are designed for women runners.... and they are COMFORTABLE.  I tried a pair of orange (of course) shorts and actually ran in one of their cotton t-shirts.  I'm now sold on Oiselle's clothes.  I recommend them to all women runners.  They are completely comfortable and light.  I even was great on a warm day in a cotton tee.  (Thanks Darlene!)  http://www.oisellerunning.com

The best part of the race came at the end (of course) when I met up with my cheering squad; Eric, Payton, Marley, Payton and Bella.  Payton tackled me on the ground!  A greeting like this, makes Rock N Roll Seattle my best marathon race!  Next report.....Lake Stevens Half TRIATHLON!!!

Moses Lake 09

After a night of zero sleep, I wasn't feeling too ready for this race.  I finally had to admit to myself, I was scared to swim a mile in open water.  But I signed up, so I was getting in.  When I saw my Mom, just before the start, I almost started crying!  Fortunately I met an amazing woman while warming up.  We had some good laughs which helped to ease the nerves.  This is one of my reasons for loving triathlons.  There is always some hilarious person at the start to help ease the nerves and remind me...this is fun!!!!

When the race started, I began my usual stroke and found myself...out of air!!  I had a fleeting thought of just bagging the whole thing and then I remembered how stubborn I am and that I had no plans of quitting.  So I decided to revert to plan B and change strokes until I could calm down and catch my air.  After the first quarter mile, I was able to get into a rhythm and started the crawl again.  Before I knew it, the swim was over and I was in the transition area.  I remember Eric saying, "can't you smile".  I though, oh you just wait honey!  

I was off on my bike.  I knew Papa G clicked of photo of me with a mouthful of food in my mouth.  I later learned he thought this was quite funny.  I actually love this part about cycling, how easy it is to eat and ride!!!  The bike went really well.  I enjoying the fact that I did lots simulated hill training this winter and loved the giant hill even more on the way down.  I was going faster than I planned and didn't push it too much, ending up completing my bike portion in about 1:15.

I began my run, feeling pretty good.  I actually thought I was running faster than I was, kind of like the way kids think they are jumping high in the air, only getting about 1/4" off the ground.  I ended up averaging about a ten minute mile but was happy to feel strong the whole time and pass a few people in the process.  I ended up across the finish line in 2:44:19, 8th in my age group (out of 11).  

The best part of my day came next when Eric and my Mom finished their races.  This was Eric's first triathlon and I was hoping he was out enjoying his experience.  Since his race started a couple hours after mine, I was able to see his final transition and finish.  I was delighted to see how strong he looked, coming in off his bike.  He set off on his run and returned in about 30 minutes.  This was fabulous as he recently worked up to running three consecutive miles in the past few weeks.  It was adorable to see him cross the finish line with Payton who I'm sure thought she just finished a race herself!!  Eric's goal was to finish the race in under two hours.  His official time was 1:28:18.  Very well done!!  My mom had a great race too.  She improved her transitions and finished a half hour faster than last years race.  Way to go mom!  You continually amaze me.  Her finish photo made it to the front of the photo display.  It's pretty darn cute when you are accompanied across the finish by two four-year olds and a two-year old.

We had an amazing weekend in Moses Lake.  Even though our spare caught on fire on the truck on the way over and the awning to the trailer broke!  Budu racing put on another fabulous event.  We met some new friends who we hope to see at future races and had a great weekend of health!  

And don't worry, I already have another race picked out for Eric.  I mean, Eric is excited to enter another race!!

Race eve!

My kids are crazy tonight.  We just watched Marley mush her first smore into her mouth.  It's really one of my favorite firsts.  I took a thousand photos.  I have the same photos of Payton.  Gooey marshmallows everywhere.  Chocolate and graham cracker massaged around her mouth.  She is probably stuck to her pillow as she now sleeps.   Precise Payton  has the eating of a smore down to a science and pretty much can eat the whole thing without making a mess.  This is my perfect way to spend an evening.  And perfect way to relax the night before my first race in a couple of years.  I still don't know why I didn't race last season.  I guess I just wasn't in the mood.  So to make up for it, I'm starting off this season with my first Olympic distance race.  It didn't seem to daunting until I finally realized, today I think, that I am going to swim a mile, A MILE, tomorrow morning.  Thank goodness I bought that wetsuit so I can be slightly buoyant!  

Jokes aside, this is going to be a fun day.  There is a lot of family here, spending time together.  Today, we took the kids to the pool for a few hours.  Payton is getting better at trusting the water.  Marley is hanging on to her floaty and jumping off the steps.  She really wants nothing to do with us holding her.  Payton so badly wanted to go down the "kids" water slide and is close to finding her courage to do so!  Maybe tomorrow Payte!  She did sit in the slide for just a moment today, which was a big deal.  

I'm really excited for my husband, Eric to experience his first sprint triathlon tomorrow.  It's interesting trying to manage how we will juggle the kids and the two of us in the race.  Thanks Aunties, Uncles, Grandmas and Papas!  I'm really proud of Eric for all of his hard work.  It's a lot for one person to train in a family.  It's been even more work finding the extra time for both of us to train.  We do our best to keep the workout time away from the kids time, which means lots of training when we should be sleeping.  Sometimes, I think it good for the kids to see us training too, it's a great example of goal achievement and fitness.  I'd rather them see us working out then loafin' in front of the TV.

I'm excited for a great day tomorrow in Moses Lake.  I love you Eric...enjoy the swim, ride and run!!!