13.1

I ran the second farthest and second longest I have ever run today. That would be 13.1 miles in 1:52:15 for an 8:34 per mile pace in the Seattle Half-Marathon. The course began at the Seattle Center and then through scenic downtown and Lake Washington. It was a battle finding parking with probably 12,000 participants (for all events). It was 39 degrees during the crowded run. It was beautiful to see the river of people flowing down the street and to be part of the running party, but it was also frustrating at times having to weave in and out of people. I probably ran an extra quarter mile just weaving. It also literally took me five minutes to get to the starting line.

Story time: Because of traffic and parking, I didn't get to pee before the run. I waited in-line, for about five minutes, but then the race started so I had to ignore my bladder. However, my bladder didn't wanted to be ignored so finally after two-miles or eighteen minutes of bladder-jostling, I came to the first water station with four porta-potties and discovered I wasn't the only one with a talking bladder. I was oblivious that there was a line, until someone kindly pointed it out. After waiting a couple minutes, I heard the a brilliant idea from a woman behind me, "you men should go pee in the plants." It didn't cross my mind since we were in downtown Seattle. Low and behold, as I look up, I see some glorious grass-like plants in large concrete planters just waiting to be peed on. So they kindly concealed me and I repaid with a whole lot of watering. By the way, I stopped my watch for this event so my official time was more like 1:55.

I started off training well for this the first six weeks, but the last seven have been lacking. I kept up doing a long run once a week and ran 1:48 at the end, but besides that I only ran one other time per week. Sometimes after being up till 2:00 am working on a paper, it is difficult to find the time. Training is too time-consuming. All that to say that I didn't make my goal of 1:45 so I am a little disappointed. I don't think I will be doing another one for a few years. It wasn't all I expected. Plus, I had to get up at 5:30 am. Oh, there was snow on my car when I left this morning.

I went by myself so that is why the picture is from our balcony. That's the Finisher's Medal around my neck. The bib was on my back.