Marathon 22 in the bag!
What a beautiful day for a beautiful race! I was running this race with my friend, Lisa, who made “Maniac” status today. Go Lisa! I had run 13.5 miles on Saturday so was pretty sure it wasn’t going to be a PR.
We decided to run 3:1 to see if we could take some time off. Of course in order for 3:1 to work to increase time, you have to really push it in the 3 component but well…we didn’t.
The race is very hilly and extremely beautiful! I had no idea how beatiful the Olympia area is! I’ve run two marathons in Olympia, prior, and had enjoyed them but this one is THE marathon to run if you’re going to Oly! It starts and ends right by the capital building, which is beautiful.
We both felt pretty good throughout the entire race. Really, I don’t think we slowed down at all. We were just about even throughout the race. We did stop and take pictures, and got to know a guy named Jim who is 67 and had run the Redmond Watershed 12 hour race yesterday. (!!)
Saw lots of stuff on the race…horses, cows, calves, foals, emus, lambs, goats, alpaca, and lots of roadkill…dats good eatin’ right der!
The hills were challenging, but not too bad. Did have a little calf pain at the end as did Lisa. I think it was due to some of the downhills!
The route in pictures
Mile 3 or so. The calves were 3 weeks old. Lisa asked the farmer who was rather amused that I was taking pictures of cows. They were really CUTE cows, though!
Seems to me about mile 7 and was trying to get a picture of the big a$$ hill ahead! Oy! I think that’s Mel McCreedy ahead. 
Jim saw us both taking pictures of the hill, so he stopped and asked if we’d like a photo. Sure thing!
Look at how awesome Lisa looks! Do these ladies look 44 years old to you? No way! Running keeps you YOUNG!
Alpaca Alert!
This guy was so cute! He was fascinated by the runners and would run up ahead of each group and stop with his head stretched out as if to say, “Seriously? No one has an apple? Lump of sugar? Spare gu? Give a horse some sugar!”
Mile 11 or so…I think. The hill ahead made me cry and induced an amnesiac state.
We were running along and heard this LOUD croak. I thought we’d find a big toad…I think this little guy had short man’s syndrome!
Right at mile 13. What DOES one do with all those pesky leftover bowling balls?
Mr. Emu was struttin’ his stuff about mile 15!
What a beautiful route!
Gorgeous river!
There were a lot of wooded areas, which was nice as the temperatures soared.
I love this yard art! I think we’re about mile 18 here!
There were a number of people with their own water stops set up for us. This little girl (about mile 21) was happily giving out free water, while her cat planned her demise.
We’re almost done! Mile 25!!
Running in the last mile past the capital!
What a beautiful day!
I didn’t think the end was much to talk about. Food was open so little kids had their grubby hands all over it. Shall I get up on my soapbox once again and remind parents…the food at the end is for the runners. It is not for your children. If you MUST feed your child (lest he die), then YOU get the food. I saw two kids go up, grab some watermelon, eat it, then throw the rinds back onto the pile of watermelon. Jerks. I’m sorry, both were old enough to know better. The teens who were volunteering were inhaling the pizza before runners could get any (I did not get a piece because as they opened a new box, three kids (two of whom had just thrown their watermelon rinds onto the cut fruit and each taken 3 donuts) and three teens completely cleaned out the box. Thanks for that!
No medal, which I didn’t like, but we DID get a jacket which is BETTER than a medal. There was also a little printed thingy with our race info in it that was kind of cool and framable. I think I’ll take it to school and put it on my currently blank wall. The volunteers were awesome. Course support was very good, although they only had gu at one station and Ultimaa sucks eggs. Sponges were an awesome touch. I particularly was happy I’d put one n the back of my shirt when, after the race, I couldn’t find a SINGLE portapotty with toilet paper.
Would I do this one again? Most likely. The beauty alone is worth it!
Next weekend, Call of the Wild on Saturday and is it truly insane I am considering Couer d’ Alene on Sunday?
Tags: a year of running, marathon, marathon maniacs, Olympia, running
Run
He’s so awesome. He met me with Gu and when I told him I needed food (I started to stare down the wall about mile 15 because I hadn’t eaten enough), he ran in and got me a biscotti that was a LIFESAVER! I was able to finish the race feeling great. I think my iron stores are getting low (something I deal with) because my energy took a major dip around mile 10 (two gus brought me back) and then again around 15 (lightheadedness, greying vision…I hate it). Fortunately I was able to pull out of it and finish. Having Marie there really helped because I didn’t want her to be left behind if I dropped, and really…I didn’t need to drop. I just need more iron and some food. (Will call doctor’s office on Tuesday.)
Loading ...
Recent Comments