Tory's Half Marathon Race Report

[Guest guest]

Seattle Marathon 2004

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Today was the day! We've trained for this for 20 weeks. We've run through

three pairs of shoes. We've run in heat, wind, rain, more rain, and even

some rain. We've twisted ankles, worked through IT Band Syndrome, dealt

with chafing, and suffered setbacks due to pancreatitis. We learned how to

hydrate ourselves, about exercise nutrition, and what to wear when the cold

weather sets in. We've added new words to our vocabulary such as " glycogen "

and " Gu " and the names of a variety of muscles that we've suddenly

discovered can, and do hurt after a long run.

We've eaten pounds of sushi, sloshed back gallons of PowerAde, and learned

that peas, by far, are the best frozen vegetable for icing a bad knee after

an out of town run.

We've run around town, in Seattle, in Corvalis and Medford Oregon, in

Canada, in England, and in Norway. We've run in fun runs and not-so-fun

runs. We have enough race t-shirts to clothe an army. We've run around

horse tracks, through small towns, through the middle of large cities, on

trails and on tracks.

All this to get here, to the starting line of the Seattle Half Marathon on

November 28, 2004.

The morning started doggone early! We had rented a hotel room for the

weekend that was about half a mile from the starting line. We figured the

free parking, stress-free morning, and availability of an ice bath and hot

shower right after the race was well worth the Priceline price of $45! We

donned our running gear. I put on my running capris I bought in England

when I had forgotten to pack shorts and ran one morning along the Tyne

River in a mini-skirt that simply was NOT going to work for the ten mile

run planned for the next day. I strapped on my race number (6481), my fuel

belt, and donned my curiously sage-green official Seattle Marathon shirt. I

searched in vain for my ear warmers, but at least I'd brought my gaiter.

Packed up a bag with some sweats to throw on after in case it's too cold,

threw on my " throw away " sweatshirt, and was ready to rumble. Roy was

similarly attired with the addition of his high-tech Buzz Lightyear radio

that he was sure would come in handy if we needed him to light the way on

the course, since it has a built in flashlight.

It was a chilly walk to the McCaw Opera House where we met members of our

Seattle Fit group. We signed in and stood around shivering and nervous,

listening to last minute hints and tips. With about 20 minutes before

start, Roy and I said our goodbyes to the group, found our clothing check

seat in the Memorial Stadium, stashed our gear, and headed to the start line.

Oh my gosh I have never seen so many people! The paper said that about

15,000 people were expected to participate in either the half marathon

walk, full marathon walk, half marathon run, or full marathon. Music was

blasting, anticipation was high, people were stretching, leaping, arguing

with spouses, hugging, sipping coffee, and giving last minute instructions

and hugs to supporters. The half walk was scheduled to start at 7:00 a.m.

but the course wasn't clear quite yet, so they were running 20 minutes

behind schedule. Finally the Seattle Police Department signalled the all

clear and they were off! Walking like the wind! Zooming at speeds of 2-2.5

miles per hour! Okay, so it takes awhile to get about 3,000 people through

the starting chute.

We anticipated that they would let the walkers get half an hour ahead of

us, so we stood around talking and lightly stretching. However they decided

that after about 10 minutes they needed to let us go. One announcement said

" 12 minutes until the half marathon run begins " and less than a minute

later the same person called out, " 1 minute until the half marathon run

begins! " We looked at each other, excited. I checked my Garmin and noticed

I'd lost my satellite signal. Argh! Holding my arm above my head I hoped to

pick it back up before we left. I figured it would go in and out, but what

I was most interested in was my pace.

The airhorn sounded and we were off! Like lightning! Like very very slow

lightning! We crossed the timing mat and I started my timer on my heart

rate monitor. The Seattle Marathon is not known as a " fast " course. A fast

course, from what I understand, is relatively flat and wide. Since we're

running through a city built on hills it was everything BUT flat and wide.

A few times we were funelled into a single traffic lane. There was not

going to be a personal record on this course, that's for sure! My previous

half marathon had been 2:12:08 and I was hoping to best that, but I had no

idea! There were sections where we were barely jogging, and others with

hills so steep that we were cursing the founding fathers.

But that's not what this is all about! Running in a race is a celebration

of life and of health. It is time for Roy and I to spend time together

doing something that I love to do. It is time for us to support each other

as a running community.

We ran through downtown Seattle on Fifth Avenue as the city awakened.

Coming up on the first hill was amazing! There were people as far as the

eye could see! Runners soon overtook walkers, who moved to the side

obligingly. Before we knew it we were at the first water station and mile

two! Two down only 11.2 to go!

Right after mile two we entered the I-90 express lanes. Another hill, but

it afforded a beautiful view of Puget Sound and Elliot Bay. The morning was

crisp, clear, and sunny so the view was breathtaking. As we entered the

I-90 tunnel we all whooped and hollered like children, offering an energy

surge that took us through the chilly tunnel and back out into the sun.

At about mile 4.5 us half-ers turned to the left and the full-ers turned

right. Lake Washington is one of my favorite places in Seattle as it is the

site of the Danskin Triathlon. I felt privileged to run along Lake

Washington Blvd East. The lake sparkled cold but cheery as we ran past it.

Mile six, mile seven, halfway point! Wahoo! Temporary neighbors came out

and cheered us on, waving, calling out encouragement, and playing music to

encourage us.

As we ran up the hill in mile seven, Roy complained just a little bit. We

have a little tradition while we're running where I call out, " Looking good

Roybee! " and he replies, " Feeling good Tory! " I know if he can call out a

silly line from the movie " Trading Places " that he's doing okay and

enjoying himself. His " feeling good " was half-hearted at best as we hit

about the mid-point of the hill, but it was still there! I didn't have the

heart to tell him about mile five.

With only six miles to go I called out " Only six miles! This is nothing but

a 10k! That's nothing! We can do this! We CAN DO THIS! " A few people

cheered with me. I called out " Walk in the park! " Roy said, " Can we just

take a walk in the park? " Not much later we were doing just that, although

it was more a jog. Our course took us through the beautiful Arboretum. The

trail wound through moss laden trees, winterberries, ferns, and Pacific

Northwest beauty. Capella University had signs along the path with

encouraging axioms. Yeah, I know it was an advertisement, but I didn't

care. They made me feel proud to be up and running on a bright, sunny, cold

Sunday morning!

The dreaded mile five was upon us before we knew it. Oy the hills! Many

people slowed, some pulled over to the side to stretch and take a break.

Course support cheered us on and I called out a thank you to each of them.

I really appreciate course support. As we ran up the " big " hill I started

calling out, " Hills rock! We're good on hills, right? Right! " No one agreed

with me. Hmmm. So I tried a new tact. Hills, after all, help build the

gluteals and who doesn't want nice firm glutes? " Buns of steel! Hills build

buns of steel! Embrace those hills! BUNS OF STEEL! "

A few people laughed and forgot about the pain for a few minutes and I

smiled. I will never be the fastest runner on the course, but I will always

run with a smile and encouragement for others.

" Looking good Roybee!! "

" feelinggoodtory.... " Hmmm. Roybee was struggling a little. I assured him

this was the worst hill. I really didn't know if it was or not, but I

figured he needed to hear some encouragement and for some reason " buns of

steel " didn't do that for him.

We crested the hill and headed back towards the heart of the city. Soon we

were down to mere three miles to go. Here's where I got my third wind and

was feeling good. Okay, my IT band had reared it's nasty little head, and

the top of my left foot was starting to whine at me, but overall I was

feeling good. As we ran back into town we ran along I-5 where we would exit

to go to Swedish Hospital in March-June of 2003. It gave me pause to think

about how much I value my health and how blessed I am to be able to run.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the blessing of good health.

Roy's second wind was starting to peter out so I ran a bit ahead of him,

but tried to keep him in site. When he slows I have a hard time not running

ahead because after that many miles a slow pace hurts my hip. The closer we

got to the center of the city the more crowd support we had. People held

signs and yelled out for loved one. Cars blared music on their stereos. One

sweet Hispanic family sitting in front of a decrepit hovel played Latin

music on a cheap boombox.

Only two miles to go!

Only one mile to go!

Half a mile!

Four-tenths of a mile! You can do it!

Encouragement came at every turn! I ran on, looking back at Roy and oh no!

Where was he? I slowed some and tried to find him without stumbling or

running into another runner. Okay, I figured I could find him on the next

turn.

Oh no! I'd forgotten about the last hill! No time to look for him now, I'll

take it easy down and then up the hill then try to find him at the crest.

Down down down, up up up...buns of steel! Buns of steel! Whoop! Holler!

We're almost there! Just as the road turned into the Memorial Stadium I

stopped, turned around, and ran back to find Roy. I wanted to cross the

finish line with him. This was his first half marathon and I wanted him to

know how much I loved him, how proud I was of him, how much I appreciated

his support. I ran back to the hill looking for him in the tired faces of

the runners coming towards me. No Roy!

Had I passed him? He wasn't that far behind me. Maybe he was already in the

stadium. I turned around and ran back, looking behind me when I could. I

still couldn't see him. Disappointed, I ran into the stadium without him.

As I neared the finish line I heard my name called and turned to see one of

the Seattle Fit coaches cheering me on. I waved and smiled and realized

that wow, I was about to cross the finish line of the Seattle Marathon! I

hadn't done the 26.2 as I had originally planned, but I had still

accomplished something that most people will never do! I ran 13.1 miles and

I was so blessed to be a part of Roy's first half marathon.

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I crossed the finish line and someone put a medal around my neck. I thanked

her and reached down to take off my timing chip, scanning the crowd for

Roy. Since I didn't see him, I knew he must be behind me. Darn it! I wanted

to be with him when he crossed the finish line. They pushed us through the

chute, telling us we couldn't stand there. I grabbed a water and turned

around and there he was! My man with a medal around his neck. He had been

24 seconds behind me, yet despite my best efforts, I was unable to find

him! I asked him how he felt and he said he felt great. I hugged him and

started to cry, apologizing for not being with him. He just laughed and

told me it was okay. This was the same man who proclaimed time and again " I

hate running! " I grabbed a mylar blanket for each of us and wrapped up,

immediately enveloped in warmth. We walked into the stadium to retrieve our

clothes with big, goofy, tired smiles on our faces. Not only did we do it.

We did it together. Thank you Seattle Marathon 2004! Thank you for the good

times, the ugly race shirt, the post-race Krispy Kremes, and the memories.

We can't wait to hang out with you again next year!

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Tory Klementsen, MCP A+

Career and Technology Educator

The successful person will do the things that the unsuccessful person will

not.