I decided I really wanted to arrive in Seattle in time for the RunWESTIN shakeout run led by Chris H

This entry was posted on July 3, 2014, in Race Reports and tagged half marathon , rnrsea , Rock n Roll , Rock n Roll Seattle Half Marathon , run , runners , RunWESTIN , Seattle , Westin Seattle Hotel . Bookmark the permalink . 2 Comments
There are some races that are just so much fun, you almost want to turn around and do it all over again. The Seattle Rock n Roll Half Marathon was one of those races for me. In fact, experiencing a Rock n Roll race made me super excited I ve signed up for Vancouver s inaugural RnR half and I am now considering running the RnR Las Vegas full marathon just for fun. Is is possible to run a full marathon for pure enjoyment? To be determined… But I digress
I decided I really wanted to arrive in Seattle in time for the RunWESTIN shakeout run led by Chris Heuisler   remember that dream job thing I pursued last year? Turns out I m actually in my dream job (as Eat 2 Run Founder Nutritionist !)… RunWESTIN was really Chris dream job. And indeed he appears to be having the time of his life! You can just see half his head behind mine in the picture american hawaiian cruises below (in which we all appear to be having the time of our lives in pretty much this super happy me is just my reaction to running, haha wootwoot)!
Although hubby and I literally pulled american hawaiian cruises into Seattle american hawaiian cruises with about 5 minutes to spare, you can see I made it in time for the run. The super happy gal beside me, Norah, turned out to be part of this really neat organization  everymove.org    a system where your activities american hawaiian cruises become points that get you closer to earning rewards. You never know what great conversations you ll have or what new awesome people you ll meet!!
I stayed at the Westin Seattle hotel and when hotels do cool things like project the name runWESTIN on the lobby wall, of course that means getting a photo. Along with seeing Chris again, I met his brother John with whom he is running american hawaiian cruises a marathon american hawaiian cruises in every state with, Kristin of Stuft Mama , Michael of Point One Miles , and Brian of Pavement Runner . Man, these are some serious runners now (who very much know how to have a good time with running)! A few of them have been racing nearly every weekend american hawaiian cruises this year I am so not hardcore after all, haha :)
The Westin Hotel is obviously committed to helping their guests american hawaiian cruises stay fit with the Move Well and Well-Being Movement . I say obviously because they are running the RunWESTIN program (where Chris is the RunWESTIN concierge) in which VIP packages are offered at various Westin hotels where Rock n Roll races are being held check out which ones here ! Being welcomed with a beautiful Move Well platter in our hotel room, running with the shakeout run group for my activation run, being served a fabulous carb load dinner and having the option of going down for a pre-race breakfast american hawaiian cruises these things took a load off the usual destination race stresses.
I think one of the best parts of the VIP package however was the amazing Westin VIP tent set up at the finish american hawaiian cruises line. Upon crossing, meeting up with hubby who was right there at the finish line and making our way past the post-run food in the runners only section, we came upon the VIP recovery tent fully stocked with fresh and dried fruit, bagels and peanut butter, juices, water and coffee/tea and even chocolate! Plus towels, massages and a very helpful people who were kind enough to take multiple post-race photos of hubby and I (I kept nixing american hawaiian cruises them and asking her to take another because the sunlight was weird and causing dark shadows!!).
Okay… So maybe it got off to not the best start. I drank coffee, matcha tea and Vega Pre-Workout Energizer all within the 2 hours pre-race. You can guess where I m going with this. After setting out to walk to the start line and dropping my bag at the UPS sweat bag check, I needed a portapottie silly me, WAY too much liquid too soon beforehand (seriously, I know better). There were dozens of portapotties. Unfortunately each one also had at least a hundred people lined up in front of it (I may be exaggerating numbers, but I did know there was no chance I was going to get to use one). What to do?!!!
Gun went off and I started running. First kilometre down through the city as my GPS beeps to say 1km down, I pass the Westin Hotel I m staying at. I briefly contemplate running inside to use the washroom. But keep running.
Keep running through american hawaiian cruises the city. Second kilometre down and now we are going down a very steep hill. All of a sudden I see a portapottie just to my left and a girl jumping out of it. Yes… I dash in. It s rocking back and forth like crazy, delicately balanced on this steep hill. I m in a huge rush and carefully ensuring I m not dumping out my license and credit card in the process (seriously, who brings their license and credit american hawaiian cruises card with them to run a half marathon??!!!). Within seconds I m outta there and feeling SO MUCH BETTER totally worth the lost 30-40 seconds. Okay, I ve got this now. Believe it or not, I still clocked a 4:40/km with my pitstop you can imagine how hard I pounded down that hill, I passed everyone (not really, but it kind of seemed that way at the time).
And then I run. I run as hard and fast as I think I ll be able to hold for the entire 21.1km. I back and forth it with a girl in a cute white running skirt. american hawaiian cruises But then I finally pass her one last time and don t see her again. We run through an industrial section and then to make up for it we run along the water it s beautiful and shaded. It gives me energy. I pick up my pace.
We run up a short steep hill. Any longer and it would have done me in, but I m good. Then into a tunnel! A very long dark, stuffy tunnel. I run faster because I want out. Another racer pulls up beside me and says, You must be going for sub-1:40 . I reply that d be awesome… But now (with my pitstop) I m not entirely sure that will happen. Finally the tunnel ends and we re led along a closed section of the highway. And then back into town, and down around where there is a huge ferris wheel on the water. Cool. I keep running.
Is it wrong to share proof photos? Great discussion over at Runners World by Mark Remy I always feel a bit guilty doing so… But on the other hand, having shelled out huge $$ for access to hi-res versions of all my photos many a time when I really like more than 2 of the pictures, I really wish they were more affordable
Unlike american hawaiian cruises Whistler Half, I don t hit any walls. I get tired a bit… But it doesn t feel impossible. Hard, but okay. Could I have pushed any harder? No, I don t think so. I gave that one all I had. Finally we are turned around and I m positive we re now on the home stretch. Wait one more tunnel! What up with these tunnels??!! Not sure I like them :P
And then it s out of the tunnel and I m flying down a hill. My GPS watch says I m nearly at 21km. The finish line must be just right around that corner! I speed up, pass a few other girls and one calls out, You go girl! .
But my GPS lied. It was half a kilometre american hawaiian cruises off. All of a sudden I am at the bottom of a hill I must power up and I just about die. I do my best with it and turn to my left finally! The finish line. I run as hard as I can towards that darn finish line… And cross with my hands in the air. Hubby is right there, smiling american hawaiian cruises at me, waiting for me.
I forgot to mention this race fell exactly on our wedding anniversary. It s the whole reason we decided to run this race instead of our usual Scotiabank Vancouver Half marathon (which was the next day). I really can t think of any other way we d have celebrated better. I love running, but even more I love running and racing with the man I love (happy 9th anniversary to the love of my life!).
Goal: Sub 3:21 Eugene Marathon July 27th, 2014 So close to my (revised) goal of sub 3:30!! Next time! 3:31:15 (new PB/PR) Goal: Sub-3:21 Victoria Marathon October american hawaiian cruises 13th, 2013 Enjoyed the experience! 3:38:56