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You are here: Home / 50 states / State #20: Washington – Perfection

State #20: Washington – Perfection

July 30, 2012 by MCM Mama 13 Comments

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!

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Filed Under: 50 states, Washington

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Comments

  1. Miz says

    July 30, 2012 at 7:15 am

    this TEXAN would move there with you in a heartbeat.
    heck Id race there with you!!

    xo

    Reply
  2. Andrea says

    July 30, 2012 at 8:06 am

    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.

    Reply
  3. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says

    July 30, 2012 at 10:07 am

    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!

    Reply
  4. Marlene says

    July 30, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Congrats on the 8K! Sounds like you picked the right strategy and it worked.

    Reply
  5. Mom's Home Run says

    July 30, 2012 at 10:13 am

    Sounds like you had a great race. And how lovely to meet up with Kim!

    Reply
  6. Tina @ Best Body Fitness says

    July 30, 2012 at 11:33 am

    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!

    Reply
  7. Erin says

    July 30, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    great job and sounds like a fun trip! Congrats on a great race. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Hikermom says

    July 30, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    Great job! I didn’t even know about this race. Where in WA was it? Glad you had a great time:)

    Reply
  9. Kim @ (Just) Trying says

    July 30, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    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.

    Reply
  10. Kathy L says

    July 30, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    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).

    Reply
  11. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    July 30, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    Great job on your race! The Pacific Northwest sounds wonderful to me – I’d take the rain over the heat any day!

    Reply
  12. Jess says

    July 30, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    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!

    Reply
  13. Char says

    July 31, 2012 at 1:15 am

    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.

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

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