Virtual 8 on the 8th
While my darling thinks I have an obsession with running blogs, there definitely is a benefit to being a member of an online community. I’ve “met” lots of fantastic runners who inspire me and spur me on to lace up weekend after weekend.
A few weeks ago Nancy suggested a virtual 8-mile race on the 8th of December. Since my darling and I are training for the Goofy Challenge, we decided to make it two back-to-back 8 mile races. We picked a scenic route that started at our doorstep, wound around Greenlake and Lake Union, headed along the Seattle waterfront and the wound back up through the neighborhood to our favorite pub (we thought a frosty beverage would provide enough incentive to run those 16 miles!).
Despite not having to pay any race fees, we still got a t-shirt:
(I think my arm weight routine must be working; do I look buff OR WHAT?)
While other runners were forced inside due to the snow, we awoke to gloriously sunny skies. This was an incredible change from the beginning of the week; as some of you may have read the Seattle area got a deluge of rain earlier in the week (they had to shut down a major interstate for several days due to flooding). I was crazy enough to run a little over 10 miles in the stuff, and I tell you, it wasn’t fun. As I was stretching prior to the run it was snowing:
…but by the time I started the run it turned into a cold downpour that soaked me to the bone. So I was thrilled to see the weather cooperated today for our 16-mile run. Here’s a picture at the end of the first 8 miles (notice I’m still smiling):
We finished the first “race” in 1 hour, 14 minutes — a 9:21 pace (I’m extremely happy with that!). The second part of the race was much hillier, plus we were starting to tire. We still finished in a respectable 1 hour, 20 minutes, but I had to take a couple of walk breaks (I powered up one hill at the 15-mile mark and thought I was going to faint). Here I am enjoying my frosty beverage:
We originally were going to run the mile+ home, but decided to walk given the hills. But tonight we’ll be walking around Greenlake again to enjoy the “Path of Lights” (they line the edges of the trail with luminaries) and will be running a 5K Jingle Bell Run tomorrow morning.
Thank you Nancy for organizing this!
December 8th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Great report !!! I have to come to think that Seattle is one of the best places to run. Keep it up!
December 8th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Those t-shirt pictures are downright creepy, but the pictures of the clear skies and waterfront with mountains in the back made up for it. Way to go running 16 on the 8th!
December 8th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Great double race report! Wow, your arms are buff, what’s your training plan? 🙂
Your pictures were great! I love the one by the water!
December 8th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
By the way, I forgot to mention that right after the picture was taken of me by the water I saw a seal swimming in the bay!
December 8th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Great job!!! I hope someday to be able to do two eight-milers back-to-back.
Love the pics. Especially the last one. 🙂
December 8th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Betsy, your posts never fail to delight and entertain me! And look at you… 16 miles today with a 5K on tap tomorrow morning?? You wonder woman, you. 😉
December 9th, 2007 at 3:42 am
I love the look of resignation on your face when you are stretching before your run. Also, do you feel an amazing sense of accomplishment after running 16 miles! You better.
I am so impressed with you and your running. It *almost* makes me want to give it another go. I have issues with black toe nails and a left knee that always gives me runner’s knee.
December 9th, 2007 at 5:11 am
You look great at the end of both races! Beautiful scenery – thanks for taking us along. I love this virtual race – so many cool race reports – and not one alike.
December 9th, 2007 at 6:20 am
[…] actually considering going the Y today to workout. I was at Betsy’s pad early this morning reading about her back-to-back Eight Mile run (16 miles total b… and I was actually […]
December 9th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Oh fantastic report and great double race!! WOO HOO. Those pics are so nic.
Thanks so much for joining in the fun. Hope you can do it again.
December 10th, 2007 at 1:21 am
Wow Betsy, you are doing great. You are going faster & further and looking lovely while doing it. That photo of you by the bay is gorgeous. You look like a model!
December 10th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Oh garsh, you make me blush!
December 14th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
ha ha. those first pics cracked me up.
you look great, by the way!
January 12th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Great shot – the frosty one I mean. Love it!