Seattle Marathon 2005

This is a look back at the Seattle Marathon in Seattle, Washington on Sunday, November 27, 2005. I finished with a time of 3:26:06 (7:52 pace). I finished 275 of 2248 runners and 35th in my age group.

When I was training for my first marathon in the spring of 2005, I fell in love with running the long distances. This is what led me to pursue marathons in the way I have. But even before I ran my first in June I was looking ahead to the fall. I remember noticing that I could get a big discount in running Seattle if I registered before the end of May. So I decided to jump at the chance, fully realizing that the weather was a question.

I had a dream the night before the Seattle Marathon. In this dream I ran with a time 3:40. At the time my current PR was 3:51. I woke up and said to myself if I run 3:40 I will be VERY HAPPY. My attitude going into this race was setting a new PR. After a bad running at Lake Tahoe, I knew I was fast enough to PR, I just needed a somewhat flat course at low altitude. That's what Seattle is. So was was ready.

My mom, sister, and I drove up on Saturday. We got up there in the evening. We were staying at the Best Western about a block from the Space Needle and start of the race. We picked up our packets, and met a friend at the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. Afterwards we went to bed.

What's so nice is that I could get up the morning of the race and walk to the start line. It was very chilly, and I was afraid it might rain. But the sun was peaking through the clouds. With start temps of middle 40's I waited until about 5 minutes to the start to get ride of my warm-ups. Once the race started, I was forced to go slow the first couple of miles, because of all the people.

Sometime between mile 5 and 8 I found out that they had pacing groups. Runners that were sticking to a pace and help runners. I was run along side the 3:30 pace group. I was very surprised. I thought to myself if I run a 8 min/mile I would be shocked. But I was feeling wonderful. So I decided to try to stick with the group as long as possible. After a few miles I was running ahead of the group. I thought to myself, if I can stay just ahead of the group as long as possible.

What can I say but I felt GREAT. I was running smooth and was having no problems. Just past mile 14 I really had to go to the bathroom, so I jumped into a port-o-pottie, and then jumped out. Very quick restroom break, and found the 3:30 pace group going past, and speed up to pass them. After that it was cruising all the way.

I did slow down in the last couple of miles, but ran a huge PR of 3:26. I was happy I can't even explain. On the way home, I was excited and it really got me excited about continuing this hobby of marathoning.

Lake Tahoe Marathon 2005

This is a look back at the Lake Tahoe Marathon in Tahoe City, California on Saturday, October 8, 2005. I finshed with a time of 3:58:53 (9:07 pace). I finished 72 of 523 runners and ninth in my age group.

I was planning all year to run the Portland Marathon. But in September, the idea was proposed to run the Lake Tahoe Marathon instead. My mom was able to get a great deal for us to fly to Sacramento. We then got a house rental near Tahoe for a cheap rate. So this lead me to say OK.

My mom and I flew to Sacramento on Friday where we met my Aunt Marti, who drove up from Southern California. My grandma was going to join her and us. But on the train ride to my Aunt's house she fell when the train stopped quickly. And she broke her femor. She had to go to the hospitol, and was unable to join us. But the weekend went on anyway. When the drove the hour and half to Tahoe and picked up our packets, had dinner and went to bed.

My mom and aunt we going to do the 20 mile power walk, while I ran the marathon. We had to get up early and catch the bus to the start line. After a long bus ride, I got to the start line with about a half hour to spare. Now Lake Tahoe is a very high altitude. I live at about 200 feet, but Tahoe is about 6,000-7,000 feet. I knew this would be a chanllenge but I fingered I would survive.

I started running way too fast. After a few miles I was feeling great, and after the first half I looked at my watch I realized I was on pace to set a new PR. But that is when the altitude, and the hills hit me, like a freight train. My times started getting slower and slower, until I just "hit the wall". In the last 8 miles I was just slowly jogging and walking. I was out of breath, and was so discouraged. BUt I looked over to my left and saw Lake Tahoe in all it's beauty.

In the last few miles I tried my hardest to finish strong. When I saw my aunt and mom in front of me I speed past them, and continued to the finish line. After crossing I looked at my watch and had a new PW (personal worst). A time of 3:58:53, I just barely made it in under 4 hours, but consider the fact that I walked a lot of it, that is not bad. We got some food and relaxed on the beach for a little while before heading back to our rental house. We flew back the next day, and I can say it was a great time. I look forward to my next marathon in which will not be so difficult and I can see how fast I really am.

My first 50k (Mt Hood PCT 2005)

This is a look back at my first ultramarathon (50k). The race was the Mt Hood Pacific Crest Trail Ultramarathon near Mt Hood, Oregon on Saturday, July 30, 2005. I finished with a time of 5:23:37 (10:25 pace). I finished 27 of 104 runners and second in my age group.

Well, I just might be crazy. Okay, I am crazy. I know most people run marathons for years, before even considering an ultra-marathon. A friend of mine, Tim, who likes to run very long distances. Was considering on doing Mt Hood PCT, so I thought about it. If I can run 26.2 miles, a 50k is less then 5 miles more, surely I can do that. So I told him we could go together and I would run the 50k, and he could run the 50 miler. So I registered, and made plans to camp at Clackamas Lake. But a week before the race, he told me he would not be able to do it. So I got my parents to come along.

We drove up the day before and camped. I had to get down to the start line by 8am on Saturday. I was not really prepared to run a trail race. I had never run on trails before, but thought, "what's the big deal?" Well I found out that running on trails is very different then running on streets. There were lots of rocks and roots. I almost tripped about five or six times, until I finally did. In the last 10 miles I tripped on a root, and fell face first into the ground. I got all banged up, but keep running. When I got to the next aid station, I was able to get it cleaned up, but then keep running.

I finished in a time of 5:23 which was slower then I thought, but now I know that it wasn't such a bad time for a first time trail runner. Afterwards I was told that I should get some trail shoes. The temp was very warm. It was most likely in the lower 80's, and clear. Which made for some great views of Mt Hood along the course. All runners were required to carry water, which was a good thing. After leaving the final aid station, I thought "just 6 more miles!" Well the last six miles felt like forever. After finishing, I was so happy it was over.

We camped for one more night, before taking off. We visited Little Crater Lake, and thought we would take a different way home. We ended up getting lost on some logging roads, but got home Sunday afternoon, with the evening to be able to relax.

Foot Traffic Flat Marathon 2005

This is a look back at my second marathon. The race was the Foot Traffic Flat Marathon in Portland, Oregon on Monday, July 4, 2005. I finshed with a time of 3:57:31 (9:04 pace). I finished 60 of 116 runners and third in my age group.

Before running my first marathon, I thought to myself that I would run the Foot Traffic Half Marathon. But a in early June after running a few 20 mile runs in a couple weeks. I began to consider the idea of running the Marathon instead of the half. A week before Sunriver I registered for the Foot Traffic Marathon.

My goal in this race was to finish and enjoy myself. I was looking for something under four hours. The race is at Sauvie Island which I had ever been to. But it's about a 30 minute drive so I had to wake up early because there was limited parking. I arrived about 45 minutes early, just hanging out. The race, like Sunriver was a double loop. The first loop was fun, but I started a little too fast. The result was that I was slowed down in the second loop.

It was a very warm day. The temps were in the 70's and very sunny. In the first loop things were still very cool, but in the second loop the sun was high in the sky and I got very hot. The last couple of miles were very tough I was so glad when it was over. I finished in just under four hours with a time of 3:57. Afterwards they had strawberry shortcake for the runners which was very good, but no awards, and after 15 minutes or so, I decided to go home. I remember thinking, "now I'm a multi-marathoner". I had fun, and enjoyed the race.

My first marathon (Pacific Crest 2005)

This is a look back at my first marathon. The race was the Pacific Crest Marathon in Sunriver, Oregon on Saturday, June 25, 2005. I finished with a time of 3:51:09 (8:48 pace). I finished 31 of 129 runners and first in my age group.

This was my first marathon. After many months of training it all come down to this race. I was very nervous, but I had run 26 miles on my own, so deep down I knew I could run it.

We arrived in Sunriver the week before the marathon. We stayed there for about a week. Mostly hanging out, and seeing different things around Sunriver. We eat dinner at an Italian restaurant for my birthday, and went to Crater Lake. I ran just twice before the marathon. I did two 10 mile runs within Sunriver. I did not run the Thursday and Friday before the marathon. I had no real goal when it came to the marathon, but I wanted to have fun and run well.

The morning of the race, it was cool, but like the week before was to be clear and sunny. It was very warm as time went by. My mom walked me down to the start line, to see me off. There were a few hundred people there, and it was exciting.The gun went off and we were off.

I don't really remember thinking much about my pacing, or trying to run slower at the start. But I do remember thinking to myself, that "I am doing it!!" I was running my first marathon. I thought that most people never run marathons, and that by doing this I am doing something that a small percentage of people ever do. Near the end of the race I realized that I was going to run in under four hours, and that I was on target for a 3:50 marathon. I pushed hard at the end, but I was tired and didn't have a whole lot in the tank.

When I crossed the finish line, I was welcomed by my family which all seemed very proud of me. It felt great. I'm looking forward to my next marathon! What was a bonus is that I was the only person in my age group so I received a first place age group award. Also the next day my mom, and sisters ran in the 10k or 5k events. So it ended up being a really nice weekend with the family.