Running Updates

Since Logan and Jody are being much better at keeping the world up-to-date on their running achievements (nice racing skills friends, I wish we were closer so we could run more together), I thought it was high time to catch everyone up on what the heck I've been doing.

So! You may remember in January I stated my intent to run a race EVERY MONTH. Wellllll, that has not been the case. Not because I haven't wanted to, but because my hip/pelvis injury reared its ugly face and I could no longer ignore it. So I was back in PT and scaled my running down significantly. BUT as of March 15th, my pain was significantly reduced, core strengthened, balance in tip-top shape, hips realigned and I was cleared to train again! WOOOO. However, this delay put me way off track for marathon training with June 26th coming up quick, so I dropped my registration to the half marathon and am shooting for a full in October at the Portland Marathon.

Enough about the future. What have I done so far this year? This past weekend I made my triumphant return to the world of racing as part of the "Big DaWg" Relay Team at the Tacoma City Marathon Relay. I highly recommend marathon relays. You never get passed (if you start in the later legs, like at mile 11, with fresh legs... hahahah), you get a finisher's medal (cheating?) and you get to be a part of a real team. It was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

Oh you couldn't see my head? Sorry, that is my fancy hunting camo Seattle Mariner's hat. 

Joel's fine art work rooting our team on in downtown Tacoma.

Our team was primarily UW employees (plus Maureen!) and we kicked major booty. Or some booty. There were 15 teams, the majority were in the same class as ours and we placed 4th. Our marathon time was: 03:47:08 (almost a BQ time for the under 35 ladies... just saying...). The course was exceptionally hilly and I could not imagine running the whole 26.2 miles especially because of the wind! Sheesh. (Sheesh signalling my disgust with the wind and my bad impression of it...)

I was lucky enough to have almost 5 of my 6.3 miles in Point Defiance Park, sheltered from the onslaught of gusts. But when I exited the park and had over a mile of hills left, I was hit head-on with the wind. Nothing like running against the wind. Even with the hills and wind, I still was able to finish my leg in approximately 50 minutes and 40 seconds.

We were chipped timed, but only got recorded at the start, half and finish. I tried to time myself, but my new watch confused me and at my first mile when I attempted to enter my split, I reset the watch... niiiiiice work Elizabeth. I was able to catch 2 or 3 relay teams in front of ours and passed the timer off to Machiko (my best work running buddy - we've even busted out 7 miles on our lunch break) who KILLED her 5 miles and passed another 2 teams. She squeezed all 5 miles in 38:40! Are you kidding me?!?! Speed demon. She will definitely help me as I train for a speedy Portland Marathon.

And that was that!

I have a few races to look forward to:
May 16th Beat the Bridge 8K
May 22nd New Balance Girls on the Run 5K at Seward Park (although I will just be coordinating all the volunteers and not running....)
June 16th Seattle Rock N Roll Half Marathon
October 10th (10/10/10!) Portland Marathon

Yee haw! I love racing.

Also, I promise to get the rest of England up. Prommmmmiiiiiiiiise.