This picture was a cross section where I was trying to get a picture of shirtless guy (reminded me of Pittsburgh) there was a much bigger crowd going down the hill towards the start.

I wasn’t sure how to pace myself since I’d never raced five miles and I haven’t really pushed myself to perform sine Al was born. I took off at the start feeling great for the most part although my feet were a little numb. I was very familiar with a lot of the course along the waterfront since I run there often pushing the stroller. It was much easier with out it.

The course runs along the bay and the views are quite lovely. There are some rolling hills although I’ve read course descriptions that said the course is flat. I felt really good for the first half although I knew I was working hard.
At the water stop the clock said 18 minutes and I was confused about were I was on the course. Turns out it was half way.
I started falling apart near the finish. My arms were tired and my legs were burning. On the last hill
I started slowing when the selfless and wonderful man next to me gave me a pep talk. It was just what I needed to finish strong in 37:55!

I only ran a mile today. I ran three yesterday with Kierra at Clear Creek. I was fine when I was running, but after I sat for a while my hip was in pretty bad shape. It hurt the rest of the day yesterday, even to walk. It felt okay today so I did a little something, but I didn’t want to push it.

Weekly recap
Monday: 9 miles mix of road and TM
Tuesday: 4 miles TM
Wednesday: 3 miles TM
Thursday: 4 miles TM
Friday: 5 miles tm
Saturday: 3 miles clear creek
Sunday: 1 mile raintree
Total: 29 miles

The whole family!

We got all the way to the top!

What a victory. Everybody besides Alric hiked to the very top. We haven’t finished a hike in a long time. We all enjoyed ourselves.

See how happy I look?

This weeks running:

Monday: 3 miles TM
Tuesday: 5 miles TM arms
Wednesday: 4 miles TM chest
Thursday: 8 miles TM
Friday: 4 miles TM
Saturday: 3 miles TM
Sunday: 3 miles TM
Total: 30 miles

And having some lunch I took the 13 year old and the baby to the clear creek trail. Kierra is a sporadic runner, but she’s tough as nails.

We pounded out four miles in much better weather than the beer runners had.

As you can see from this lovely picture not every one has a baby and is instantly slim. Even when breast feeding and running 30 mile weeks…

Monday: 6 miles TM and Poulsbo
Tuesday: 4 miles TM
Wednesday: 4 miles TM
Thursday: 3 miles TM
Friday: 7 miles poulsbo
Saturday: 4 miles TM
Sunday: 4 miles clear creek
Total: 32 miles

Runners drink a 12 ounce beer before they start. The runners start in waves and Reinhardt and a few guys from work started at 9:15.

They ran from the Slippery Pig to the Valholl brewery where they drank another 12 ounce beer before heading to the Sound brewery for the third beer. After the Sound brewery beer they returned to their home breweries.

The run was a total of four miles and four beers. The runners enjoyed a last beer from a guest brewery once they were back at their home breweries.

I can’t really comment on the course although I know it had some hills, or the beers, but judging from all the smiles and good cheer the participants had a blast! Meika and I (as well as a sleepy baby) had a blast cheering on the friendliest runners I’ve ever seen.

There were a lot of costumed runners and a lot of four legged runners (dog friendly race). And these guys.

These guys had a blast and are already planning their next beer run!

I ended up down by the water, a combination of wanting to enjoy the view and avoid the hills as best I could.

I ran along the water for quite a while and found the start of the wooden boardwalk.

From the water I ran up into the hilliest neighborhood ever. I just kept going. At one point a lady rolled down her car window and shouted encouragement.

Somewhere around six miles I was close to the preschool where the car was parked, but decided to go a bit further. I got a flat tire and holy crap the stroller was much harder to push. Thank heavens I was near a gas station. It was much more difficult than it should have been because the stem was too far down and I couldn’t get the air hose to work. I had a major freak out and offers of help before I got it fixed. I love the Northwest!

I ended up with 7 miles! My longest run yet since baby was born. And I was pushing the stroller! And the hills! I feel great.

It was a beautiful morning and I had no set route. I just followed sidewalk wherever I felt like going.

I ended up with 4 miles and tired legs from pushing the stroller up so many hills.

Reinhardt led me a different way than I normally go and we ended up at Dyes Inlet. Very pretty! It was a nice change of pace.

Weekly miles
Monday: 4 miles TM
Tuesday: 4 miles TM legs
Wednesday: 3 miles TM
Thursday: 4 miles TM
Friday: 4 miles TM
Saturday: 3 miles rude road
Sunday: 3.5 clear creek
Total: 25.5

I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself so my goal is going to be PRing. I’m probably capable of taking at least five if not ten minutes of my current best which is 1:51:19. Hopefully by May I will have run a 5k and tested my speed so I have a better idea of what my splits should be.

This a picture taken at my very first half marathon in 2005.