Yes, our regular Saturday morning training run turned into an adventure. We had our hearts set on training on the actual race course, so we left cars downtown and rode to the start line. You can see the course map here. It's been so long since I've run 15 miles, but it had to be done since I'm supposed to be a pacer for the Rock n Roll Marathon at the end of the month. My lungs are still healing from all this asthma and allergy stuff, so I was really nervous. I actually had butterflies driving to the run. Early this morning, the thought of running from Tukwila to the Seattle waterfront didn't sound like a good idea anymore. I have to say, it was a long ride to the start line...why are we doing this?
We got lost in Tukwila, asking for help at a gas station (where they pointed us in the opposite direction). My running mates ignored my suggestion of just going to the police station to ask for help (I guess they felt more resourceful than me) and we stopped at the golf course that's affiliated with the race. Luckily, they just received brochures from the race organizers yesterday and were able to tell us where to start. We walked into the clubhouse and they said, "you look like you're going to run a marathon." And we readily replied that we are, we're just three weeks early.
The 15 miles we covered were moderately hilly. We improvised when we couldn't go on the actual course (I don't think the cars would appreciate us running directly on the express lanes). Really, if you're running the race, let me repeat...it's moderately hilly. We started in Tukwila, ran through Renton (got lost and had to enlist help from some friendly cyclists), found the Boeing Access Road to MLK, took a nutrition break at Seward Park, ran along Lk WA Blvd, ran across I-90 (almost to Mercer Island...wasn't in the mood to do extra credit today), up to the pedestrian tunnel, (have no idea where I was) to a trail that went to another neighborhood I didn't know, almost took another wrong turn up First Hill (but was quickly corrected by Margaret), through the International District, jumped for joy when we saw Qwest Field (okay, that was an exaggeration since I was just concentrating on lifting my knees...I wasn't going to bite it today), ran through Pioneer Square, turned along the waterfront and it was high-fives all the way around. Plus, I convinced Shauna to take my pacing position, so I was off the hook...now I just get to run the 1/2 Marathon without being tied to a pace. Looking forward to running just for fun!
