The Lost Runner

It was a cold, gray, rainy Saturday morning in the valley. Kath and Lar made the long drive in from Kirkland and Seattle driving nearly 45minutes to come run with me. We are running in the Big Sur Half Marathon in two weeks and needed to get one more long run in before the race. I decided I would take them on the scenic run along Lake Wilderness and onto the Cedar River Trail.


As we set out on out 10 mile journey leaving my warm house, running through the curving neighborhoods and winding rodes making our way to the trail. Along the way Kath confessed her lack of training and mentions she might have to turn back early to avoid injury. We all agree and continuing in the cold wet trail. The yellow and red leaves have mostly fallen although the remaining trees make for an idealistic fall run.


We catch up on everything going on in our lives. The new condo, the dogs, work, running, our up coming trip and before I realized how far we had ran Kath decided to turn back. The route was an out an back so she felt fine making her way back to my place. I really did not think much of it. Told her to make herself comfy and we should be shortly behind her.

When we returned to my house Tommy welcomed us home. We asked were Kath was and he was totally confused. We thought he was joking. "No have not seen her" he said! OH Crap we lost her!! With no phone, no knowledge of this suburban juggle and pouring Rain! We Lost our friend. Frantically we brainstorm were to start looking and jump in the car. We drove back through the neighborhood we ran through. As Lar and I discuss possible out comes of this dilemma. She spots some crazy lady flashing her lights and waving at us in her rear view mirror.

What could this be now we thought! But wait who is in the passenger seat but our dear friend Kath!!! A Good Samaritan had gave her a ride to help her finds us! Thank God!

It was a very happy ending to a stressful situation.

My First Marathon

June 26th 2010 Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon

There is something to be said about setting a goal for yourself, working hard and accomplishing that goal. On June 26Th, I did just that. I ran 26.2 miles without walking or stopping. The journey to get to the finish line started two years ago.

I injured my foot and was not able to complete my training the prior year. This forced me to only run the half. It was frustrating and sad to say the least.

This year totally made up for all the bad feelings from the year before. It started with the drop off at Fotser golf course. We jumped out of the car and I almost did not want to get out. Little scared of what this day would bring. Chris, Leslee and I had to walk to the start line. Which appeared closer than it actually was. About a mile warm up walk to the start line. Making our way my tummy rumbled with nerves and my breakfast. Finally, reaching the start line I felt proud, excited and mostly just emotional. For some reason I just wanted to cry.

We had about an hour wait which we mostly spend in the porta potty line. With 5 minutes to go before the start we were still in line. The national anthem sounded. My eyes filled as I quickly realized we better get our butts in the start line. Panicking, I quickly reminded Chris, Leslee and myself that OUR race does not start until we cross the start line. This I remembered from last year’s race when we were forty five minutes late due to traffic. This idea of ‘my race’ was the theme of the day for me. I continued to remind myself that it does not matter what is going on around me. Today is my day. My Race. My Marathon.

There will be a day when I can no longer run and today is not that day. This is also where that idea comes from. Today is my day to run. I ran the entire race. Not stopping to fix a shoelace, stretch my legs or even drink water. The only stop was a quick shuffle step to kiss Tommy and then I was on my way. I don’t think that technically counts as walking.

As someone who trains with a Garmin and being in Finance. I have a tendency to get hung up on the numbers. But not this day. Not this race. This was my day. Every time I would check my pace. I would remind myself ‘You’re doing great. This is a good pace’ ‘I am doing this. I can do this’. Even at mile 25 going up the hill at an 11:30 pace. You’re doing this. You’re running your race. I kept talking to myself making small achievable goals and continuously having positive self encouragement.

The pain quickly fads as you realize this is no longer a struggle you have made it this far. You will complete this race. You begin to feel light on your feet and want to reflect on all the good that you have in your life. How lucky we are to be able to do this? How Lucky I am to have Tommy? How much hard I have trained and worked to get to this exact place, The .2.

I came off of the Alaskan Way viaduct ramp and the street was lined with people. Who did I see first? My Dad arms wide open waving at me with both hands and cheering. He jumped up and down tried to take a photo but I was too fast. Just like that he was out of my sight. I turned the corner and the band started to play. I cannot remember the song because I was yelling ‘I did it! Wahoo! Yay!’ Kind of silly to cheer for yourself but at this point I could not help it. Then Leslee and Steve right on the corner. It was a perfect place I saw them right away. Then Erin and Tommy cheering and yelling with of course lots of cowbell. Tommy held out flowers for me. I grabbed them like a baton hand off in a track race. Next, Kimberly, she was jumping up and down beaming with pride. I could actually see her tears. Then Team Flying V, my running pals. I gave them all high fives. I did more cheering for myself you can even here me on the finish line video (I am all the way to the right on the video)., I cross the finish line, and busting into tears overwhelmed with emotions. A lady came up to me and gave me a huge hug and said 'I am a crier too!'
It was an absolutely amazing experience. Could not have had a better race. Although, I think I could have been faster...