Four down… nine to go? (gulp)
It’s bonus time in EDRW land — you get THREE race reports in one!
Woolley Trail Marathon, February 20
This was a grief run for me as we had to put our kitty down the day before. Since my darling had a photo shoot in the afternoon we opted for the 6 a.m. early start, which meant we had to leave our house about 4:15 for the hour and a half drive to Sedro-Woolley. We had a rough start to the morning as our kitty’s absence set in; there’d be no strident meowing for breakfast. I broke down in sobs several times, plus I found it hard to concentrate on what I should be packing. As a result we got a late start, but figured the race director would understand. Besides, it wasn’t as if we’d be competing for the top spots.
The early starters took off just as we pulled into the parking lot. We checked in and confirmed with the RD that we could use the time on our Garmins. It was still dark, so my darling decided to run with me for the first few miles until it was light enough to put away the headlamps. Even though it was going to be a sunny day, I fortunately made the wise decision to wear a long-sleeved shirt; however, I forgot to throw on gloves. BRRRR.
This was the inaugural year for the race, which follows the Cascade Trail from Sedro-Woolley to Hamilton and back. It’s a nice wide, flat course that offers great views of the Cascades and local farmland. I started my run listening to a podcast about gastro-intestinal distress in long distance runners, and the eau de cow provided an appropriate olfactory accompaniment.
Although he had intended to start running at his own pace once the sun came up, my darling decided to stick with me. After all, we had another race the next day and there was no need to go fast. Besides, it would only mean he’d have to wait around for me at the end. While we didn’t talk much (I had my iPod, he did not), it was comforting having him close. After my podcast ended the sad songs started (I was in a melancholy mood), as did the tears. We stopped to hug several times. Fortunately the pain in our hearts was the only pain we suffered that day, as the run was quite cathartic. We crossed the finish in 4:51:12, and after an aprés race lunch of chili and hotdogs we headed home, where once again we were overcome with grief from her absence.
Y Club Marathon, February 21
This was another free, low-key Maniac-centric race put on by the same folks as Michelle’s Grande Ass. We once again got a late start, but considering our time would be recorded on our own Garmins, we knew it wouldn’t be a problem (plus we were only 10 minutes late). The course comprised a .89-mile loop around Bradley Lake in Puyallup, plus a 2.13-mile loop around Pierce County College campus. To reach a marathon distance we’d run that eight times, then add on a couple of extra loops around the lake. There also was a 1-mile trail option. (Basically we could choose where and in what direction we wanted to run. As long as Garmin stated 26.2 at the end, we were good to go).
My darling and I decided to run at our own paces, and I loaded up my iPod with happier songs (or so I thought). Again it was a sunny, yet chilly day. Because we ran loop after loop we saw all the other runners continuously. I was fine until the song “April Come She Will” by Simon & Garfunkel came on:
April, come she will,
Streams are ripe and swelled with rain.
May, she will stay,
Resting in my arms again.
June, she’ll change her tune,
Restless walks she’ll prowl the night.
July, she will fly,
And give no warning to her flight.
August, die she must,
The autumn winds blow chilly and cold.
September, I remember,
The love once new has now grown old.
As I wound through the campus I was overcome by deep, deep sobs. But again, it was cathartic. Each time I saw my darling we stopped to hug, which I’m sure irritated his running partner (a much faster runner). Again I thought I was fine until “Bridge Over Troubled Water” came on. Once again I broke down into deep sobbing, especially when I saw my darling. One of the other runners got really concerned, thinking I was injured. I assured her my tears were from grief alone.
While I had hoped to beat my time from the day before, I was off by just a few minutes, finishing in 4:55:36. But by then I was feeling less melancholy and we sat around for at least an hour chatting with our fellow runners.
Ghost of Whidbey, February 27
Yet another low-key race. My darling ran the full last year, while I opted for the half. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be offered again this year, but as I was putting together my 13-in-12 lineup I emailed the RD, pleading with him to put it on again. It caused some controversy among the top 3 Maniacs as at least one of them felt it unfair for someone to simply slap their name on an existing course (the Ghost of Whidbey pretty much follows the regular Whidbey Marathon course, albeit backwards). But they finally relented and added it to the calendar. However, in order for it to count there had to be at least five starters.
I started emailing all my fellow runners in late January, encouraging them to join me. But unfortunately many of them had conflicts. I wouldn’t know until race day whether or not there’d be the requisite number of starters; fortunately we had JUST enough — four men and me!
It was drizzling quite heavily on the trip up, but fortunately it petered out by the time the race started. The course starts near Coupeville on Whidbey Island and winds along the waterfront near Penn Cove and Oak Harbor. Although it was a low-key race, the director set up three aid stations, and even sprang for a couple of port-o-potties (cleanest ones I’ve ever seen in a race!)
I had hoped for a 4:30 finish, but the wind got nasty as I reached Oak Harbor and the aptly named Windjammer Park. While I had been taking quick walk breaks every two miles, I decided I didn’t want to fight the wind and therefore took an extended break as the wind buffeted me around. It got better as I left the harbor, however, I ran into it again — literally — as I turned onto the mile-long stretch of Crescent Harbor Drive just after the halfway mark. I was already getting tired, and having a strong headwind was no fun.
Once off Crescent Harbor I was able to pick up the pace somewhat. I even mustered up the strength to run up several small inclines. The rain picked up about mile 21, but fortunately it wasn’t cold. As I headed over the Deception Pass bridge I tried to take in the views, but by then I was ready to finish. Fortunately there’s a nice long downhill stretch to Bowman Bay, and I cruised in at 4:41:19. Although I was slow, I did NOT come in DFL (that distinction went to the runner who was recording the various birds he saw along the route. But at least I was guaranteed the top woman slot!