Seattle Rock and Roll Half marathon 2012

Another race completed for 2012, Seattle Rock and Roll half marathon! I wasn't sure if I was going to run this race because of how expensive it was but Im glad I signed up ! This race was my second half this month alone, thats's right I ran 20 days before this one, call me crazy! Tiffany and Cynthia ran this "with"me. Thanks to them I signed up and ran this race! So Tiffany ran the half and Cynthia ran the full.

So Thursday I was able to go to Seattle and picked up my race packet to avoid traffic and huge crowds on Friday. I took Alex with me so I wasn't alone. I still hate driving to Seattle and finding parking! To much stress for me to be honest! Anyways after 20min of looking for a parking spot we finally found one and went into the expo at century link field and picked up my race packet! We walked around a bit, and I found a really cute tech Seattle RnR shirt. And since the hotel we got was so cheap(thanks for a discount) I didn't feel so bad for buying things at the expo! I sort of wish I took more time to actually look at things but going with someone who doesn't really understand makes it a little awkward.

So Friday came and I was suppose to meet Tiffany and Cynthia at the hotel. So I had Paul drive me up so we could have an early start to Seattle since race started so early 7AM! We got all ready for bed and lights out about 1030pm. We had our alarms set to 3:45A YIKES! (HA-im actually used to that time from work...) But I couldn't seem to fall asleep, Im pretty sure the girls were having a hard time too, we were just so excited for the race in the morning. I think I finally turned the brain off and all of sudden I heard this alarm, and thought "are you kidding me? It's that time already? I barely slept...." but it turned out to be a car alarm outside our room. I looked at the clock and it was only 12:45a. Good more time to sleep but still I wasn't that happy with that car!! So i finally went back to sleep and bam 3:45a came. I think we all just laid there not wanting to get up. So we all jumped in to our outfits and off we went. I ate my normal race day food- a banana, and a cliff bar- But I wasn't that hungry considering I think i always get a little nervous on race days.

Myself, Cynthia and Tiffany in our race outfits

So we got our picture taken and off we were to down town seattle to find our parking garage- which was nice because it was so close to the finish line. Thanks for Tiffany I was able to use the "Brooks" VIP porta bathrooms. These were super nice compared to a normal porta potty. These had real flushing toliets, running water, and anything really you need like q-tips, gum, and such. Thanks Tiffany! =) I said HI to a few runner people (bloggers) and then Tiffany ran off to her Corral, and I stayed around with Cynthia. She ran with the "Run to remember" group. SO I watched them do their little thing. It was pretty cool. Then I lined up in my corral, I honestly should have just stayed with Cynthia. Oh well life goes on.. SO I was in corral 19. Race started at 7Am, and I think I was finally starting around 725am?  I wore my runner rain jacket because I thought it was going to rain. Well long and behold no rain! :D So mile 1- I think I was hitting a 8:30 min pace (fast i know) But I think i was trying to get ahead of the slower people- but turns out I was zig zagging the whole time through people who were much slower! mile 2 was a pretty fast mile as well and same with 3. But man Oh man I was getting warm so around mile 3.5 I took my jacket off.. and bam my nike (iphone) stopped and said work out completed. I was so mad, I was just trying to get the jacket off, and put the phone in my pouch and i ended up ending the workout. So once I got all put back together I had to restart it. So now I had no idea where I was at in my pace, time, and miles! So I just ran- I was hoping i would know what and where I was at to push my self more but nope.. lesson learned!!
So I kept running turned a corner and saw ahead of me a hill. A steep hill! BUt I got to it and kept running up it without stopping or walking! People were making me a little mad tho stopping and such so i had to run around them. But I did it, non stop running up the hill. And then it was down hill.. good thing it wasnt raining because I knew I probably would have fell down. anyways once we past that I came to the "race to remember" group. they were holding flags and had the fallen pictures up. It was pretty cool!

running with a smile

After that cool section, I ran through a tunnel which I thought would never end! But it was kind of cool the first time but the next few ones BLAH! Running on the freeway and looking at cars and seattle was pretty cool kept my mind not on running! Ran past the football and baseball fields and around then I started feeling that thought " WHERE THE HELL IS THE SPACE NEEDLE!" I was totally struggling at this point since i hadn't ran in 9 days! But i knew i couldn't stop. I think mile 10-11 were super hard for me but still i did it! I saw mile 12 and knew I was almost finished! While running I believe he was the first full marathoner to cross the finish line was approaching me. I saw him coming towards me and I thought "holy cow, Im almost done with my half and he's double me aready...I dont want him to pass me.." I picked my speed up and started to push myself to see if i could beat him.. well nope he kicked my butt. Once he passed me I just kept going. The finish line was up a little hill and around a corner. I finsihed strong at the end. Took some finish photos, and was feeling pretty good at that point. My leg was a little sore and knee but i just kept walking and grabbed my finishers food.

I found a nice place to sit down to eat my food, and i knew I had to go find the meeting place B for bloggers where some bloggers would be there and Tiffany. SO i was able to meet more bloggers! :D

finished :)

Results from the Seattle Rock and Roll

overall: 4085/12240 (half marathoners)
female: 1893/9568
age division (18-24): 178/734

5k: 28:11
10k: 57:41
10mi: 1:34:46
pace of 9:41
chip time: 2:06:56!

AZ pictures

My dad and I at the Grand Canyon

river

Sedona

grand canyon

My dad and I driving "some"where...

sedona

Finally a real vacation :)

Finally I was able to actually go see my dad over father's day weekend. He had moved back in November down to Gilbert, AZ. I was suppose to fly down in Jan to see him but the time I was suppose to head out my flight got cancelled and then I was snowed in stuck in my house for a week while I was hitting a minor depression mode. So I dont consider that a vacation since i stayed at home in the freaking snow. UGH anyways, it finally worked out that I could fly down to see my dad. I thought it would be cool to see him during father's day weekend. So I called him up and he said he had to figure out his work schedule. So he figured it out and we were set vacation was booked. June 14-18, I know short trip but so worth it. So the plan was to fly out thursday and fly in thursday night and he would actually be flying in too from his work and then we would fly out together on monday to our different locations. But he actually had lost his job 1 week after we booked this trip so I could have probably stayed longer if we knew. oh well but good news I still went on vacation! I was getting so excited to finally get out of Washington, a vacation away from work and go see my dad. So thursday came, I went running in the morning because I knew I had to get at least one more run in before running the Seattle RnR the following weekend. (more about that race soon! ) I then grabbed coffee, and last minute items for my trip. I was all ready to go and nervous as heck I hadn't flown alone yet. Paul was nice and took me to the airport. And off I went inside alone to figure it out on my own. I went through security and it wasn't bad. The lines were super long but I found my gate and got settled in. I boarded the plane (honestly why do they ask the last people on to wait..they should get on first) and found my seat, a window seat and no one sat in the middle! As soon as I got off the plane I called my dad and he was outside waiting! I stepped outside and BAM it felt like I was in an oven. It felt hot! But I was there and I was happy to see my dad! WE drove to a pizza place for a late dinner and then went to his house.

Lily was there waiting for me, it was nice seeing her. They're house is beautiful! You walk in and it's the living room, then the kitchen is in the back with the laundry room bathroom and guest room on the bottom floor.  Then you go upstairs and there's a master bedroom with a nice master bath, and a full bath and two more guest room. I picked the room upstairs (my dad's sports room.) That first night was a hot sleeper! They set their AC to 80 considering it's 100 outside. So i was a little warm that night.

Friday- That morning I was wide awake at 530. The sun was shinning and so I just layed there in bed for a bit. I got out of bed and my dad asked if i wanted to go for a bike ride before it got to hot. So we hopped on bikes and off we rode to grab some coffee at this little coffee cafe that was on this farm. it was cute. The coffee wasn't that bad either! We ate breakfast and then rode back. Then it was pool time (btw it was like 80 at this time(7am)) We hung out in the pool for a few hours, and then drove around checking things out and even went to a shopping center. Then we went to dinner at this Joe's farm house place (same place as the coffee shop) And then went to a movie.

Saturday- I had slept better that night since i was getting very used to the warm weather. I loved every mintute of this weather! So got up and lily asked if i wanted to go to starbucks and get coffee. of course i did! So i went with her and grabbed some coffee. Then it was pool time again.! Then my dad and I went and started our dirve to the grand canyon. We drove to Sedona and ate lunch there. it was a cute little town and beautiful! Then went kept driving to flagstaff.(where we were going to spend the night) We got to flagstaff and went to the mall which was getto! And then walked around the town. This town is a hippie town! Lot's of crazies! We were also there during pride weekend which was interesting. We ate at this place called "pita pit" amazing! :D

Sunday- We got up early and drove 1.5 hours to the grand canyon! I hadn't been there before and it was truely amazing! Stunning even! We got there around 830 and took a bus tour all around the canyon. Stunning just stunning.! (pictures soon) Once we got done with the canyon we headed back to his house. I was burnt as heck! We forgot sunscreen...opps! I was so burnted that it sucked. I think im still red on my shoulders from last sunday but im turning tan and peeling at the same time. GROSS huh! Since sunday was father's day we went out to dinner at this texas road house place. OMG amazing food! Sunday was so much fun!!

Monday- That sunday night I slept horrible due to the burning of my skin. :( anyways i got up early and grabbed some coffee and didn't swim since i had a huge burn! I still went outside and sat by the pool. I didn't want to go back to washington yet. it was going to be 50+ degrees cooler then what i was used to. So i got to the airport and off i went leaving my dad in AZ while i had to go back to WA. I missed my dad a lot and I was glad I was able to see him. BUt I got to the airport and found my way to the gate. Security was a peace of cake! And once again an empty seat!! :) I got off the plane and paul picked me up.. HOLY COW i was freezing. It took 2 days to finally warm back up. I miss the warm weather. I miss my dad and i want to go back and visit already!!

SO i finally had a vacation and i needed it ! :) I had so much fun and i can't wait to go back and see them (my dad and LIly)!

PICTURES will be on another post!

A lot of graduations this year..

I think this is the year of graduations. I knew so many people graduating college, high school, middle school and elementary school. I find it interesting with all these graduations this year unlike last year was all weddings, and following year before that was all babys. I feel like my friends are living life backyards? Anyways I would like to do a little shout out to the people I know that graduated!

Tessa- My brother's girlfriend graduated from Gig Harbor and did running start at TCC. You sweet girl, Congrats on finishing Gig Harbor (even tho you weren't really there because of running start). I know you will do great things in the next step in your life. Im glad your dating my little brother and that we're actually hanging out more! Good luck in the next step of your education!

Harlie- My crazy wild cousin, I can't believe you graduated High school. (Tacoma school of the Arts). I still remember you playing with my brother with rugrat dolls or something? Good luck at Evergreen state college.

Brittany-  I've only known you for a year but i love playing soccer with you! Congrats on graduating High school and good luck in the next stage of life.

Elle- Paul's little sister- She also graduated from GH with Tessa. I wish you best of luck in college!

Troi- my stylish cousin, congrats on finishing middle school. I still can't believe you will be entering high school this fall. You're growing up way to fast! Enjoy it before it's gone. Good luck!

Jaron- my little balloon animal making cousin- you are no longer in elementary school. I still think of you as 7 years old. Good luck!

North Olympic Discovery Half marathon 2012 recap

Alright 2nd half marathon of this year is completed! :) 2 down 3 more to go! So heres the recap of the race!.
This is my second time doing this race. Last year I ran this for the first time, first time ever for a half. last year I had a knee brace and wore Nike shoes. (Thanks Nike for giving me knee problems.) But after running since then I found the right shoes, and no more problems! :) anyway last year I ran this race at 2:15:30. So going into this race I had the mind set of beating that time from last year. Which I knew i could but didn't know by how much I could. I ran a few half's since then coming under or just at 2 hrs. So leading up to this race I didn't train much. I trained more for the cinco de mayo then this one. I just didn't have the time to train that well (thanks work) anyway at least I had a 8 mile run in before this race. Anyways everything was ready, hotel booked, time off work, and packed.
So I worked Saturday and was able to get off early :) and went home and made sure everything was packed, (you know make sure i have my shoes and such) And we were off to port Angeles around 2. We stopped for Paul at Starbucks to get coffee for his two hour drive. (thanks for driving :) ) well i thought i would take a nap on the way up, but he almost ran a red light so i wasn't tired after that moment.
We got there around 4:15 and went to expo to get my race packet! The expo wasn't great, so we left quickly. Checked in to the hotel and drove around town to explore. And then it was time for dinner, I wanted carbs...so IHOP it was! and what a better way to carb load is breakfast! :) And then went back to the hotel to rest. Saw an amazing sunset and then went to bed.

sunset

The alarm went off at 6 but i didn't get out of bed until 630 and got ready, and by 8:30a i was at the start line.

On this trail there were hills that i walked up last year that I ran all the way up without stopping!! :) And I forgot how beautiful this trail was and how many different smells you come encounter with. EX: farm lands, to river, to poop station and sea water.

before race

9am race started and I was off to run this course once again. I was running at a good speed, according to my iphone the first few miles i was under 9min, probably around 8:40 pace. Anyway paul was there taking pictures :)

around 1.5 miles

I would hate to run in these the whole time

So mile 1- was down this farm road and does this turn around point to the discovery trail.

mile 2-3?

This is where I saw paul and started to grab the pack of gel to be opened

around mile 6 I wanted my gel chumps but couldn't open the freaking thing so i kept going and was super happy to see Paul and that's where I had him open the packet for me, but he was having a hard time opening it too. So i finally had my gel at around mile 7. Around mile 8-9 i think i saw Paul again for the last time before the finish line. I still had my good pace going until i couldn't open the pack then i think i was getting tired and slowed down a bit. I reached mile 10 and started to struggle but kept going. Around mile 11-12 my ipod told me where i was at in the time, around 1:42 and i thought to myself, I can do this I can possibly make it under or just at 2 hrs. So around mile 11.5-12 I picked my speed up and that last mile was a struggle but i knew I was almost finished and gotta keep going to beat the time from last year. There was few guys around me but i kept pushing my self ahead of them. This one guy near the end I looked over and thought " I will beat you..: So as soon as I was getting closer to the finish line i picked up my speed again. I saw the time clock at 2 and it just turned to 2:01, so i sprinted and crossed at 2:01:09. Walked around grabbed food, and my medal and found Paul.

last photo opt for 4-6miles

finish line

completed race :)

And off we were back home. I'm not going to lie my legs are sore as i type this!

But This morning I checked the official results!... Drum roll please.....

results:

total 233/1004 runners
total females 104/735 :)
age 20-24 females i placed 7th!
pace of 9:10
gun time : 2:01:09
net time: 1:59:58
WHOO under 2 hours!! one happy girl right now.
second half under 2!

Happy 70th Birthday Grandma! :)

This past weekend my grandma turned 70 years old! :) I love my grandma she's the sweetest person in the world! Over the weekend we had a "surprise" get together for her. I think she was super excited/suprised that the whole family showed up along with cousins of hers' and close friends. it was good seeing those people too. I did show up later because i was coming from Port Angeles (i will get to that in the next blog) But im glad i was able to be there. HAppy 70th birthday grandma! :)

Kelsey's bridal shower

I feel like i get on the computer less and less since the iphone/spring time. So im going to do a few blogs.
So my church friend kelsey is getting married in july. Only wedding this year to attend :) So I went to her shower a few weeks ago! it was wonderful seeing people i hadn't seen in a long time. She got a lot of great cooking/baking gifts for her new life! :)

wedding dress game

her cake

her bridemaid and BOH (sister)