Rock n Roll Seattle Marathon

Travel and Stuff
I took an early morning flight out of LAX to Seattle with Virgin America. I got there in a couple of hours. I took the fairly new Link light rail to the Stadium station and walked over to the expo. I went through the expo, stopped by the WorldVision booth, and met Meb again. He's a really cool guy. I ended up signing up next year's Seattle RnR race for $40 off and the DisneyWorld Goofy's marathon and a half challenge. I met up with my friend Ryan to go eat sushi. Too bad we couldn't find one open for lunch. Instead we ate at Pho Hoa.

Visiting my friend at the WorldVision booth

"Free" bag for signing for the Goofy's marathon and a half challenge

Met Meb again... great athlete, great guy!

Carbo-loading at Pho Hoa

Afterward we met up with Sam, who ran Seattle as his 31st marathon this year. He will be running a total of 60 this year for Train4Autism. Here's Sam's website: OperationJack. I usually sleep early, so I wished them both a good race and headed north to my hotel. On my way there I stopped by Walgreens to pick up cookies, water, and some juice. This year I stayed at The Roosevelt. I took a quick nap and went back out looking for some sushi. I had thought about eating at a kaiten sushi restaurant across the street from my hotel, but I decided to go for quality sushi and walked over to Shiro's Sushi. I lucked out, there was one seat left at the sushi bar. I ate my usual picks: toro, mirugai, hamachi, amaebi, geso, albacore, and a salmon skin temaki.

Pre-race
I walked over to the Westin to catch the bus to the starting line in Tukwila. I met a couple of Loma Linda Lopers on the bus. When we got to the starting area I met and hung out with 2 marathon maniacs, Ed from Hawaii and Ponytail from Arkansas. I also got to meet the guy who takes crazy photos, Dave from Chicago. I also happen to spot Ryan and his friend Jennifer a few minutes before the start of the race.

Pre-race photo with some maniacs

1st Half
I started off in the front of my corral. Ran as comfortably as possible. Few people ran ahead of me and I was smart to not follow them. After getting my first mile split, I knew I was going a bit fast. I made sure not to speed up during the steady climb all the way through mile 5. Mile 6 was a huge downhill. Once again I started feeling discomfort in my right ankle at around mile 8. This was when the 3:40 pace group started coming up to me. I hung with them for about a mile and then I had to let them go since I still do not have the endurance. I felt that the pace would be really comfortable if I could get my ankle back to 100%. I wasn't pushing very hard but the lower back was getting tight. So with the ankle and the back I stuck to the usual plan... a slow 2nd half. While on the Lake Washington Bridge, I was able to see my friends Ryan and Sam.
1: 7:52
2: 7:58
3: 8:13
4: 8:32
5: 9:11
6: 7:44
7: 8:17
8: 9:09
9: 8:35
10: 8:47
11: 10:18
12: 9:16
13: 11:02
13.1: 1:55:59

2nd Half
I slowed down a lot, more than I expected. I used the same refueling plan as San Diego, but I started feeling nauseous when I took my next scheduled PowerGel. I tried to push on and switched to drinking Cytomax only for carbs. But by mile 17, I knew it wasn't working. I was starting to get light headed and was having the feeling of diarrhea coming on. I walked most of the next 2 miles trying not to pass out and crap my shorts. I tried to stick to my plan for the most part. I took my salt at regular intervals and tried to run a little for the next 2 miles. But then at mile 21, it happened again... nausea, light headed, and feeling the squirts coming on. I eventually made my way to the median divider to sit down before entering the viaduct tunnel. I was getting really dizzy. This was when I decided to go back to taking the gels. I would rather risk throwing up and crapping my shorts instead of passing out and taking a ride with the EMT. I would walk a little right after taking my gel and salt to let the stomach settle before running. I guess it worked out ok since I was able to recover enough to speed up a little and get to the finish without any unfortunate accidents.
14: 9:28
15: 11:07
16: 11:44
17: 14:07
18: 18:21
19: 13:12
20: 13:21
21: 17:47
22: 16:08
23: 13:43
24: 12:47
25: 12:07
26: 12:39
26.2: 1:36
Finish: 4:53:05

Post-race
It was good to get a feeling of what it's like to run at a 3:35 - 3:40 marathon pace. The ankle is getting better, but I need to get off of the maniac bus. I'm pretty sure everything will be solved once I am able to work on my endurance. It's just too much to ask my body to run 26.2 miles when my longest runs have been less than 12 miles. I finished about 40 minutes slower than what I planned. Anyway, I hung out with Steve at the finish area for a little bit. I then had to get back to my hotel to clean up and eat with my friend from college.

Gordon Biersch

We ate at Gordon Biersch. I had a burger and a schwarzbier. Good stuff. Then I was knocked out for the "night" at around 6ish. So early, but I was pooped from the marathon and had to catch the first train the next morning to catch my flight home.

Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon

Expo - Friday
I normally attend the Friday expo when I run the San Diego RnR Marathon. But this year I was actually planning to attend on Saturday and just spend the night in a hotel. But when they finally released that Kara Goucher was going to be there on both days, I just had to be there on Friday. The expo would be a zoo on Saturday which could possibly hinder me from finally meeting her. So off I went to the expo on Friday. There was a huge line waiting to get into the expo. As soon as it opened, I picked up my race packet. Then I donated 4 pairs of shoes that just had to go. Then I planted myself in the front row and waited for Kara to show up.

She's just a normal girl, very approachable person, and never once acting like a diva. She was taller than I'd expected. It was also very cool to talk to her husband, Adam. I asked him when he was going to take a shot at the marathon. He said he'd like to one day. I think he's still injured.

Introduction

Kara Goucher being interviewed for RunCenter

Picture on stage with Kara

Signed magazine and shirts I picked up from the expo

She signed my magazine before the interview. Afterward I got a picture with her on the stage. I stopped by The RunRacing table to say hi to Danica. Then I quickly went through the expo. Within about 5 minutes I had signed up for the San Antonio RnR Marathon and next year's San Diego RnR Marathon. Economy stimulated! I drove up to Costa Mesa and ate ramen at Santouka.

Expo - Saturday
I drove back down to attend day 2 of the marathon expo. It was much crazier and more super packed than Friday. I made sure that I wasn't going to stay long or else I'd spend way too money. I ended up buying some black Injinji micro socks and their new compression toe socks. I figured I'll just wear that instead of socks plus calf sleeves, but only when it's really cold. I'm convinced that they don't help that much to be wearing them when it's warm.

Danica working the RunRacing booth

The legendary ultra-marathoner, Pam Reed

I bought another pair of Mizuno mustangs. I love those shorts. Got them in black again. Economy stimulated again! On my way out I ran into the legendary Pam Reed. She was running the treadmill for training or something. From my picture with her, I realized that I've been getting skinnier. I might need to start wearing size small t-shirts. My shorts were pretty much falling off. I keep forgetting to wear a belt.

The last meals
I drove over to the Mitsuwa in Kearny Mesa to eat lunch. For good luck in the race, I ate a katsudon at Kayaba. I've had better. I will have to try something else next time. Then I headed over to my hotel. I stayed at the Hampton Inn. Not too bad... it had a small fridge and free internet. I got my stuff ready for the race and accidentally took a nap while watching a movie. I think it was Batman Returns.

I met Glenn (blogger) back at Mitsuwa to eat ramen at Santouka. I guess I can't get enough of that place! We talked a little bit about each other's training and how the Rock n' Roll races have sort of grown out of control... especially in how much they'll be charging runners in the upcoming years. I think all of their races will be at least $100 next year. I'll run San Diego every year. The only other 2 races that I will consider running after this year are Las Vegas and Country Music. But other than those 3 races, they've essentially priced me out of their races.

Pre-Race Shenanigans
I got myself to Qualcomm Stadium a little after 3:30am. There was barely any cars in the parking lot. I took my time to gather my stuff and boarded the shuttle. Turns out I could've waited another 30mins and still would've gotten to the starting area sooner. The bus driver was lost from the get go. First he drove the wrong way when he was trying to exit the stadium. Then when he turned around and got directions, everything was fine? No! We got into downtown San Diego, but I noticed that we were headed towards the convention center. The park's the other way dude. Then he had us heading west. He signaled the dispatch, but continued to drive in circles. Eventually he started heading in the right direction. We came to a road block. The guard there initially didn't allow our driver to cut across from 5th Ave. to 6th Ave., but one of the event traffic controllers spotted our rogue bus and bailed us out by telling the guard to let us through so we could be dropped off at the park.

Fun stuff.

I used a portapotty and waited by my UPS truck. Ran into a maniac friend Joel. At about 40 minutes before starting time, I dropped off my gear bag and headed towards corral 5. On my way GrapevineRunner (RWOL) spotted me... first time meeting him. I lined up at the potty line for one last time just outside my corral. I spotted Lifesabeach (RWOL) while waiting in that long line. I made it with 10 minutes to spare. I squeezed into my corral and shortly thereafter we were off.

First Half
My goal for this race was to finish at 4:30 and see how fast I could run the first half. I started off running at what felt like an easy pace. Turns out it was an 8:10 pace. I must have sped up during mile 4 because that included a walk break. After I saw the split for mile 5, I knew I had to slow down. I saw Lifesabeach, James, and Howard on this short out and back section near mile 7. James of course told me to slow down. I should not be catching up to either him or Howard because they started in corrals 2 and 3 respectively. So at mile 7 when I took my 2nd walking break, I made sure that I started up slowly. I kept it in the 9s for a while. Going up the 163 was a pain in the butt only because it was an obstacle course full of walking half marathoners. They need to rope them off next year. Adam spotted me from the sideline... this was a good section to get some encouragement. I got to the halfway mark faster than I've ever ran any half marathon. What baffled me was that I could not run faster 6 days ago at Laguna Hills.
1: 8:10
2: 8:10
3: 8:13
4: 8:10
5: 7:39 oops
6: 8:22
7: 8:58
8: 9:00
9: 8:57
10: 9:32
11: 9:24
12: 8:29
13: 9:30
Halfway: 1:53:32

Second Half
I stopped to fill up my water bottle. Here was when my back started giving me trouble. First I was passed by Noel. Then Teatime (blogger) spotted and passed me at around mile 16. My back had already seized up so I told her it might be a 4:50 kind of day for me. The right hip was giving me problems as well. I'm guessing it's an IT band issue since it only shows up when I get into the higher mileage. I kept plugging away at about 11 min pace until I hit the wall at around mile 20 somewhere on the dreaded bike path. Everything started to hurt. I saw Charlie (RWOL) cheering as I was entering Fiesta Island. Apparently I was so out of it, I didn't even see Wayne (RWOL). I started to feel better during this loop. Almost got taken out by a guy on a bicycle near mile 24. I was even lucky enough to come up to an empty portapotty. I filled up my bottle for the final 2 miles or so. I tried to speed up, but I couldn't sustain anything. I would run. Stop. Run some more over and over until I saw the mile 26 sign. I ran hard for the finish and as soon as I crossed I went over to the side to lean up against the fence. Before the medical aids spotted me... I gathered myself, grabbed a medal, and headed towards the ice cold towels.
14: 11:04
15: 9:59
16: 11:01
17: 11:01
18: 10:43
19: 11:02
20: 12:46
21: 13:46
22: 13:30
23: 13:00
24: 12:47
25: 12:58
26: 12:07
26.2: 1:42
Finish: 4:30:08

In this race, I took a salt cap every hour to begin with then I took it more frequently as the day got hotter and the cramps started creeping into my legs. I took 1 Powergel per hour but near the end I was taking one every 30 minutes. I think I've gotten the salt replacement and hydration figured out since none of my muscles locked up.

Post Race Shenanigans
I headed over to the food area and ran into Noel again. I got a bottle of water and a Cytomax. We went over to the gear trucks and waited for our friend Oksie to finish. After we met up with Oksie we went over to catch the shuttle to the trolley station. While in the huge line which wrapped around at least 10 times, my legs were screaming from the lactic acid. I just wanted to sit down or walk around... anything but stand around in a long line. I ate my electrolyte jelly beans just to distract myself from the burn. It was nice to finally sit down in the shuttle. We saw lots of people walking to the trolley station.

When we got off of the shuttle, we encountered a huge mass of people waiting at the station. Once we got on the trolley, it was a pleasant ride to Qualcomm. It was a short walk to our cars. They need to figure out a better way to deal with the finish line and parking logistics.

I ate at Niko Express in Tustin. It may look like a Japanese food stand but it's Korean. It's in a food court next to the Freshia supermarket. I ordered their sashimi on salad and rice (hwe dup bap).