So this was “technically” my first race where I could run. But instead I decided it would be my last enforced completely walking race. Not to say I won’t ever walk in a race again, because I can guarantee I will. But it is my last self-imposed walking only race. Which means next week I can run again!
Being my last walking only race, I really wanted to come in under 45 minutes. But I knew it was going to be tough. Did you know there are hills in Seattle? 🙂
As I was leaving it started to pour down rain. And I did not have a hat. This might be interesting! But the rain subsided. I got to the race site plenty early and ended up sitting in my car for awhile.
There was a decent number of people participating in this race (which is the precursor to the Seattle Marathon tomorrow). As per normal, I teared up during the singing of the National Anthem. And then we were off!
The first mile went by fairly fast. I ended up in kind of a no man’s land where there was a decent pack ahead of me and a decent pack behind me. But not too many people near me.
The hills weren’t as bad as I was thinking until the end. That last hill was painful! But I put my head down and gritted it out. As I was coming down the finishing chute, I really wanted to run, especially since I saw the clock turning to 46 minutes. I stayed true to my walking and finished, knowing I would have a little grace time since I started in the back.
I crossed the finish line and immediately looked down at my Garmin. 45:41. I think I visibly deflated. So close, yet not quite. Although my Garmin did also say I went 3.4 miles. So then you would think I made it in under 45 minutes! But Garmin is not official. So we’re going with the official results of 45:37 (apparently I turned on my Garmin too early!).
It’s not a bad time. I was just really hoping to break 45 minutes.
A little different at this race was that you got your t-shirt and goody bad after you finished! Which I thought was a good idea! Until I almost walked off without mine. Ha!
And there you have it – my November race with a few days to spare!
Travel With Emily 