Still Horsin' Around

I am happy to be back running after such a long break. I am also happy that we have our mare. I enjoy going to the stable just as much as I enjoy being out on the trails running.

Happy New Year everyone!

Last 26.2 of the Year

I'm just trying to keep the momentum going after the Quadzukilla! I ran a marathon to close out the year. I loved this course because it was a big circle around Seattle. I got so see so many different areas all in one run. The race started at Green Lake and headed west to Ballard, then south to the Locks and Magnolia. Then further south to downtown and east to Volunteer Park. Finally, north to the University of Washington with a jaunt along the Burke Gillman trail and back up to Green Lake.

At the starting line at Green Lake.

A view of West Seattle (my home) from Magnolia.

 

The Ballard Locks

Downtown Seattle

The weather was calm. We had a few sprinkles and then the clouds broke open for the sun to peak through.

Hints for doing the Quadzukilla

So, did I spark your interest I doing the Quadzukilla?!
If your answer is yes, here are some helpful notes.

Register early
Some of the races are popular and have a low capacity like the Waddle Wattle on Thanksgiving Day. If you are committed to this thing, go ahead and sign up for all of them. But registration for the Wattle Waddle didn't open up until mid-September. So, you just have to keep checking the website and sign up as soon as registration opens up.

Start out slow (and get slower)
Don't go racin' that first half marathon, even though you'll feel really good and want to run fast. You will need to save your legs and energy for running 7 more days. Once I made it past the 4 half marathons and had a rest day, then I ran hard on the Thanksgiving Day marathon. I felt good so I went for it, but I regretted it the next day and the day after when I ended up going very slow and walking some.

Rest, rest, rest, and eat.
I've said this before when I've written about doing back to back races (2 days in a row). You need to rest and refuel after each race. Don't make plans to wash your car and vacuum your house during Quadzukilla. I mean, you can, but I recommend that you spend the time stretching and watching a movie instead. And eat. Eat as soon as you can after the race so your body can start repairing itself right away. You have less than 24 hours before you will be running again!

Good luck out there!