I’ve always loved the Pacific Northwest. Beer Geek is convinced I’d hate living there because of all the rain, but on both vacations we’ve done (one where it rained constantly, one where it did not), I’ve loved the area.
My Washington race proved once again why I would like to move there – cool weather in the summer.
When I signed up for the Harvest Days 8k, I had no idea that I knew anyone near nearby (seems like most of the people I “know” live closer to Seattle.) When Kim was here and we realized that she wasn’t too far from it, I set one goal for the race: to see Kim.
Mission Accomplished!
Except, of course, now I needed to actually run the race.
After the horribleness that occurred thanks to going out too fast in my last race, I told my dad to run without me. He opted to stay with me at the start, but ran on my terms LOL. Our first mile was a comfortable 9:19. I figured I could hold that pace for the whole race, except for the one big hill. We hit the second mile in 9:21. Still going strong. Mile 3 had the hill. About halfway up, I told my dad to just go and I would see him at the finish. I managed to run the whole hill, but then walked the water stop at the top to catch my breath. 9:52 for the mile with the hill and the water. And then it was game on. I decided I wanted to leave it all on the course. Mile 4 was 8:56. Then it was all about picking someone and letting them pull me home. I hung just behind a group of 3 (two women and one man) until the last quarter mile. Every time they pulled ahead, I forced myself to push harder. Finally, we could hear the finish line. The trio picked up their pace and I dug deep and gave everything I had. 7:33 for the last .95ish miles and I managed to chick the guy with just a few steps to the finish line. Yes! Not a PR, but I truly felt that my final time of 45:00 was an accurate representation of where I am right now.
After the race, we got medals and there was beer, but the “bouncer” was way uptight and wouldn’t let in anyone without an ID, regardless of how old you looked. So, I had a quick beer, chatted with Kim over the fence, and headed out. All in all, one of the best races I’ve run in a long time!
mcmmama
mcmmama
mcmmama
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
this TEXAN would move there with you in a heartbeat.
heck Id race there with you!!
xo
I think I would love the PN as a place to live too. I could handle the rain way before I could live with a lot of heat.
Awesome! I got to meet Kim at the Austin half- she’s so sweet. Great job on your race, too. I have never been to Washington/Oregon but it’s one of the places we are determined to visit someday!
Congrats on the 8K! Sounds like you picked the right strategy and it worked.
Sounds like you had a great race. And how lovely to meet up with Kim!
Awesome job! Starting out too fast is such a curse and something I have to be very mindful of too. Definitely worked well for you to fight that urge!
great job and sounds like a fun trip! Congrats on a great race.
Great job! I didn’t even know about this race. Where in WA was it? Glad you had a great time:)
One of the best races in a long time! Yep. Definitely. I think the 8k is my new favorite distance. You and your Dad looked so cute being the first ones in the beer garden. I’m so glad we could meet you for this one, it was great.
Washington gets a bad rap with the whole “rainy” thing. My dad lived there and my brother does now. It rains frequently, but not all that much – like it drizzles every day at 2pm but they rarely have those 2 or 3 day all day rain storms that we get here sometimes (though not this year, obviously).
Great job on your race! The Pacific Northwest sounds wonderful to me – I’d take the rain over the heat any day!
I visited Seattle once, when I was considering going to grad school out there, and I absolutely loved it! I’d live there in a heartbeat.
Nice job on the race! Definitely sounds like a fun one!
I’m happy to thank any person who wants to card me. Yes, I know I look under 18 despite being almost 50. Self-delusion is a gift.