Hello, Seattle

First and most important — we finished the half marathon. We raised over $4,000 and did it injury free! Although we were a little sore walking to dinner, leaning on each other to get downhill and praying we never get arthritis that bad.

On Thursday we watched the Cubs/Mariners game at Safeco Field. The park was super nice, with terrific views all the way around and an excellent beer selection. I grew up going to games at Wrigley so anytime I’m in one of the “new ballparks” I’m amazed at the amenities and that I can go a whole game without someone spilling beer on me. We got our money’s worth — the game went to 13 innings and the Cubs finally pulled it off in the end.

Terrible, terrible seats.

After a warm-up run Friday morning, we walked around Pike Place market, down to the race expo and then to the International District for lunch. We ate at the Phenom Penh Noodle House where the owner showed us how to eat like the Cambodians do. We met with our Team in Training coach to go over the course and race-day information. The runners from St. Louis and Columbia ate a pre-race dinner together with the other 800 Team in Training participants. The whole group raised over $2 million for the race! We heard the parent of a cancer patient and running writer John Bingham speak — tears and laughter.

Then it was back to the hotel for bedtime — at 9 p.m. However, I did not sleep at all well because my throat kept bothering me. When the alarm went off at 3:50 a.m., I had already been up for 30 minutes. We loaded the bus for the start line at 4:15 a.m. and arrived with 2 hours to kill.

4 a.m. smiles

Thank God for the 24-hour Starbucks (and its restrooms) down the street. I got my coffee and we ate breakfast. Then we got in one of the portopotty lines behind two people who were making friends over their divorce stories. Man, were we ready to run after an hour of that.

One-third of the pre-race port o potty line

The course wasn’t too bad. There were a few hills but they didn’t stick out. We stopped for a second to stretch at mile 7 and my knee started hurting when we stopped. The course was fun, lots of water and a stretch on an interstate offramp leading to a downtown finish. We finished in 2:32, impressive considering neither of us had run more than 10 miles before and Josh averaged a 12 minute mile for that run.

It took us FOREVER to get our snacks, foil cape and beer so we could walk back to the hotel. Once back, ice baths, soccer and the best tasting Subway of my life were in order. I haven’t been able to enjoy Subway since before my middle/high school served it every day for lunch. This sandwich hit the spot, especially since the post-race snack line didn’t include any protein. Bagels, oranges, rice chips, granola bars… no chocolate milk or anything like that. And the bagel made me sick. Luckily, the Team in Training booth made PB&J to hold us over until we could eat the best Subway evar.

Are we there yet?

We recovered and drove to the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville to meet a fellow education reporter and her family. Food, beers and stories were shared. The sun had come out by then — perfect day. Somehow we had enough energy to play video games at the Team in Training party and eat a long, leisurely dinner at the Steelhead Diner, lit by a just as leisurely setting sun. Aaaaand we were asleep by 10.

We ate breakfast at Cafe Presse, walked around Capitol Hill to stretch sore muscles and watched the exodus to downtown for the Pride Parade.

And then I got sick. Itchy watery eyes, runny nose, etc. I was that girl who didn’t take off her sunglasses in the airport or on the plane. Movie star? Hungover? I wish. I couldn’t keep my eyes open longer than a minute at a time. Thankfully, I got on an earlier flight and drove in to Casper at midnight instead of the planned 2 a.m.

I made it home safe and sound, but a bunny crossing the road about 20 miles outside of Casper wasn’t so lucky. I completely plowed over the sucker at 85 mph — my first roadkill. It gave me a much-needed wake-up call to get me home. Thank you, bunny, for your sacrifice and for not being an antelope.