Pigtails Flat Ass Marathon

Original plan to take 5:20am ferry to Seattle failed, because instead of pressing snooze button I actually turned off the alarm. Fortunately I was able to drive around Tacoma to get to Ravensdale WA with 20 minutes to spare.

Rain was drizzling all day long but the temperature stayed in mid 40's. The course was flat out-and-back route along Cedar River Trail. Going to turn-around was gradual downhill and coming back was of course gradual uphill, but I could not feel the difference when I ran.

Approximately 120 runners including 50K runners and marathoners were at the start line. I heard a little more than a half were marathoners.

I tried to keep my pace at 8:00/mi. About 5~6 runners happened to be in a group at that pace for the first 6~7 miles. I still felt pretty well as I reached the major turn-around at Mile 13.7. Then there were a lot of hand-wavings and smiles with oncoming runners, so I could know who were behind and how far they were.

After passing water-only self-aid station at Mile 16, legs were getting heavier and my pace was getting a little slower but still at around 8:30/mi. However, I noticed that a small plastic bag with an energy bar and a couple of energy gels slipped away from my pocket.

When I reached the last aid station at Mile 21.5, I needed to replenish myself with some food. There were plenty of choices. Especially I loved the hot chicken noodle soup. In fact, it was the first time that I ate hot soup during marathon run. I was so relaxed and happened to spend about 5 minutes there. After grabbing a few more cookies, I left the last aid station to run just 5 more miles.

I ran 1~2 more miles afterward, Then, I noticed I was running very slowly for some reason. No one was visible in front of me and no one was behind. I just kept that slow pace and enjoyed the gravel trail and the river alongside for the rest of the run finishing my 17th race in 2009.

Finish time: 3 hours 44 minutes 22 seconds. (5th overall in marathon)
It was 8 minutes too late for PR but still my 2nd fastest marathon time.

Seattle Marathon 2009

First attempt for "double" was completed with a success and I got the 4th Maniac star.

Getting up early again to catch a ferry was a hard part after running a marathon one day earlier. As I was stretching and warming up at the start line with a lot of other marathoners, surprisingly I felt very strong.

I decided to start a little bit faster not to be stuck by slow runners in front. When I watched my Garmin at mile 3, I was running 6:30/mi. It was way too fast to keep up with through out the race. What I needed was very consistent pace. I slowed down my pace to the range between 8:10 and 8:20 from that point.

Next 5~6 miles flew very quickly on I-90 section. Lake Washington Blvd section was simply flat and I already ran yesterday for the most of it. I didn't have big problem to keep the pace there, although my legs and knees were getting more and more tired.

On the hill of Madison St (Mile 21), I had to take a short walk break for about 1 min and then ran down the hill to catch up some time. Undulation in Arboretum section slowed me down as I had to face the reality of my body condition.

However, getting out of Arboretum with Space Needle within the sight, I had only 3 miles to finish my double so I pushed myself hard to finish strong.

My finish time: 3 hr 55 min with 1:52 - 2:03 split.

It was one of the big mile stones that I set when I decided to run a full marathon last year. Seeing and chatting with the 2008 marathon maniac of the year, Larry Macon, who ran 105 marathons last year was another big inspiration to continue my running adventures.

Seattle Ghost Marathon 2009

First attempt for double marathon is half way through.

Thanks to the odd ferry timing, I had to arrive at Seward Park 1 hr and 50 min prior to the start time but didn't want to take opportunity for early start because of chilly temperature and wind.

There were many usual suspects at the start line and I ran across many familiar faces on double out-and-back course along Lake Washington Blvd and Seward Park loop, which was used to be the original Seattle Marathon course. Weather was good since we didn't get any rain drop, but wind was the only minor factor for the race.

I didn't want to push myself too hard because I had one more full marathon tomorrow. The support was great. Volunteers in aid stations were very helpful and efficient. Finish line hotdog and chili were definitely a great way to wrap up a race. Hats off to RD Scott Krell and his crew.

My finish time was 3 hours and 47 minutes with 1:48 - 1:59 split. It's not a PR race but I am happy with this time. Some soars on the left side again but no blisters today. I am looking forward to Seattle Marathon tomorrow.

Doppler 50K

First fat ass style trail race was for a fun field trip to doppler tower over Green Mt for 6 hours and 37 minutes. Considering imperfect knee and quad condition, the goal for this race was to avoid DFL and I did it.

It was free, no t-shirt, no medal, no aid, and no whining race, but I got some proud rewards of a couple of black toe nails and a huge blister (Gosh, I gotta drain this). Looking forward to the double marathons coming weekends.

Portland Marathon 2009

Another marathon in the bag.

It was a perfect marathon weather (45~50 deg, overcast). My race strategy almost worked perfectly. I was able to keep 8:00/mi pace until 19mi point with 3:30 pace group, but felt my legs getting heavier afterward. I finished 3:36:42 (PR) with 1:44:41-1:52:01 splits.


It was funny to watch faster runners ahead caught at RR x-ing @ 6mi point for a while, although Amtrak just passed through when I reached there. Anyway, it was much better race in all aspects than last year’s when I had set my PW with limping finish dragging a swollen knee.