A little bit sad

Boy, I have reached my running goals (52 half marathons in a year, and 2 marathons in 2 weeks). I am injured. And I am depressed. I didn't expect this . . . .

Dog Lake Marathon

Dog Lake Marathon - what a beautiful course! It started just east of White Pass on Hwy 12 and headed east, downhill. I ran in my new Hokas (shoes). I know it is not smart to try something new in a race, but I felt like I didn't have a choice. I could run in my old shoes and I was sure not to finish with my foot injury, or I could run in the Hokas and maybe have a chance to finish. This was one of those rare times that trying something new worked! I was able to cross the finish line, but not without some issues. The shoes rubbed my feet in new places where I didn't have calluses--superficial, no big deal.

The hardest thing for me was dealing with Hwy 12. The road is canted and my right knee hurt. I tried to go to the part of the road that was flattest without running down the middle of the road. The next best place was as far off the road as possible and next to the guard rail. I was afraid that I was doing some lasting damage to my knee, but it didn't hurt the next day. Luckily, we detoured off of Hwy 12 for a few miles on some back roads and that was nice.

The views along the course were picture-worthy!

 I met the youngest aid station volunteer.

 

With this race under my belt, I qualified for the Marathon Maniacs! I am not sure when I'll be ready for another marathon though. My injured foot started hurting again a few days after the race. I am back in the boot for a week of rest, taking anti-inflammatories, and icing several times a day.

Leavenworth Marathon

My first marathon in almost 2 decades. I was a little nervous. Recently, I finished a half marathon and I thought to myself that I couldn't imagine doing it all over again!

I was hurting in my joints around mile 20 and really feeling it around mile 23. But this race ended up being very fun! I ran with some really entertaining women.

I remember doing the Disney World Marathon sometime around 2004 and it took me over 5 hours to finish. Beyond that, I don't remember what my other past marathon times were exactly. I ran the whole way on this one and finished in 4:34. I think it might be a PR!

Before the start of the race, (left to right) Sarah, April, Tina, me. We loaded onto school busses in Leavenworth at 6am and drove 10 miles up Icicle Creek Road where we were dropped off in front of these port-a-potties.

 

The sun was just about to rise when the race started at 7am.

 

Running down Icicle Creek Road.

 

Santa was on the course to direct us at a turn.

We crossed bridges.

At the finish. This was Sarah's 7th marathon in 2 weeks! Tina set a new PR by something like 20 minutes! And April (not pictured) qualified for the Boston Marathon! I was in good company.

 

I am now a Marathon Maniac!

 

 

Two days after the race I developed a pain in the ball of my foot. I visited my podiatrist and learned I have an inflamed metatarsal joint. I am now taking an anti-inflammatory, icing a lot, and resting. I guess I won't be running the 30K trail run at Point Defiance this weekend! I want to be ready for Dog Lake Marathon in less than 2 weeks. 



"Resting" in a boot, and my new Hoka running shoe. I am hoping the Hokas will provide cushion so I can run while I am recovering.

Race for a Soldier

Last weekend, I went to Gig Harbor to run with some of my girlfriends. We spent the night at a hotel so we wouldn't have to get up early and drive the next morning. It was a community supported race for a really, really good cause. The money goes to help veterans suffering from PTSD.

Our colorful shoes.

 

We ran through this Seahawks helmet at the finish line!

 

There were tons of aid stations and cheering squads and even a few bands!

 

A high school marching band.

 

 

A high school grunge band.



 

Any resemblance?

I had pictures taken with my daughter this fall. I decided to bring along my year-long collection of race medals to capture them in a photo. It reminded me of Mark Spitz when he posed with his Olympic gold medals! Do you see any resemblance? Younger people probably don't know who Mark Spitz is so I found a recognizable face--Michael Phelps--in the same pose!

 

 

 

By the way, here are my favorite pictures with my daughter.