Over the Narrows 10 Mile Race

I’ve waxed poetically about how much I love running in a new cities. But, I love racing in new cities even more! It’s so fun to see the differences between each race and how the organizers handle the crowds, traffic while also getting to see the local runners.

As soon as Bo and I planned the trip out to visit Ryan and Amy, I hopped on Google to search for local races happening over the Labor Day weekend. We knew that we wanted a Saturday race so it wouldn’t affect our weekend plans and we wanted it to be a distance between 10k and half marathon so it could also serve as a marathon training run. Luckily within minutes I found the Over the Narrows Gig Harbor-Tacoma 10 mile race

Over the Narrows Gig Harbor to Tacoma Run

It fit all of our requirements including distance, new area that we’d never visited, great scenery, would push our legs more than we normally would during a training run, and would allow Amy and I to continue our tradition of running races together. In fact, this was the tenth race that we’ve run together!

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After preparing peanut butter and banana sandwich and a half cup of coffee we hit the road. The race was over 45 miles away so it allowed us to enjoy the drive from Seattle to Tacoma while taking in some awesome Mt. Ranier sightings thanks to the clear day. Since the race was so far away we picked up our bibs this morning from the local Galaxy Movie Theatre. Who would have thought that a movie theatre would be a good place for a bib pickup but it worked perfectly! There was plenty of parking, plenty of bathrooms, warm heated area for stretching, and plenty of space.

We had enough time to enjoy a quick photo shoot before the race began.

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I mention the heat because there was a 10 degree temperature difference between Seattle and the Tacoma area where we ran. It was 49 at the start and about 60 by the end which meant we had AWESOME running weather! Nice and cool which is a welcome change considering the heat back in New York City.

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At 7:55 we headed out to the starting area, which included no corrals or fancy elite start. Instead the group of approximately 500 people all started when the organizer yelled go! We each had timing chips on our shoelaces which were only used to clock the time we cross the finish.

Oh the course. Where do I even begin. Luckily, we didn’t spend much time researching the race in advance or I think I would have been scared shitless. The out and back race took us through the Gig Harbor area, over the Narrows Bridge to Tacoma and then back.

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We knew that the views would be gorgeous over the almost 2 mile bridge portion but didn’t really know what to expect for the rest of the course. We were literally running along the shoulder of the road under tall Evergreen trees which felt very Northwest. What we didn’t expect were the hills outside the bridge, which was a joke compared to these other hills. image

As you can see from the above, the hills were long as well, the two worst lasting more than .8 miles! The very last hill was just evil. The downhill at the beginning made it hard to maintain speed and definitely made me thankful that I ran in calf sleeves. Amy and I stayed together for the first 9 miles just smiling along and telling each other that we would push through. We didn’t talk during the run since we were pushing ourselves, instead we listened to our own pump up mixes and enjoyed the sights.

As you can see from the above pictures, I ran with my handheld water bottle which held a water and NUUN mixture along with 4 Margarita CLIFF Shotblocks. We weren’t sure whether they would have water stations along the course but were pleasantly surprised by the 3 stations which could be enjoyed both ways on the course. Due to the cool weather I ran in my New Balance jacket from Reach the Beach which I can tell will be a Fall running staple as the vented back allowed me to stay cool enough while the thumb holes kept it down while we ran.

Our pace for the first half was right around 9:50 which was perfect considering the early hill and my focus on keeping the pace slow so I didn’t bonk at the end. During the second half I did my best to keep the pace under 10:10 as I conquered the worst of the hills. As we came to the final mile I let Amy push herself ahead of me since I knew she had some gas. We both just wanted to be done. I meanwhile started focusing on people to pass during the last mile. This was a great way to take my focus off the last hill and push through. I ended up passing five of the women we’d been running with most of the race.

Ten miles later this beauty was well earned and a nice surprise at the finish. Ten miles done at a 10:01 pace!

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Only in Seattle does a clear day call for celebratory pictures in Kerry Park after 45 minute ride back to the city! We have so much to celebrate, especially Bo’s first race back from injury! He kept a 9 minute pace which is AMAZING considering that he was out of commission for almost 3 months! His comeback is proof that swimming and strength training can definitely help keep you in running shape!

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Hope you all have a great day! We’re heading out Woodinville for an afternoon of wine tasting!

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Seattle Adventures Day 1

It’s official. I don’t think we’ve been this relaxed, as a couple, in over a year! Our first day in Seattle was fabulous!

We were both up at 7:00 with Ryan and Amy as they headed out to work, doing our best to acclimate to the new time zone and take advantage of the day. They live in the adorable Queen Anne neighborhood so there are literally four coffee shops within a block of their house. We headed down to Macrina Bakery for a loaf of bread and a cup of java around 7:30. Macrina is a local coffee shop and bakery that Ryan and Amy introduced me to last time.

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I love this quote that they had on their wall chalkboard, greeting customers as they entered the shop.

They even make their own vanilla sugar! Just one dash was enough to sweeten my double latte perfectly!

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Bright eyed and bushy tailed after our coffee, Bo and I made breakfast and relaxed with the newspaper for most of the morning.

Fresh Washington peaches, tomatoes, turkey bacon, Macrina bread, and some eggs was the perfect breakfast to fuel our day’s activities.

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Around 11 we headed over to Lake Union for an 8 mile run. Like I said on Monday, this week is all about running on tired legs and increasing my mid-week mileage. This is definitely a change versus previous training seasons which I hope will really make a difference come November. In year’s prior, my midweek runs were never more than five or six miles. This was due in part to my mentality. I didn’t think I could do it, I was only a morning runner and logging that many before work on a weekly basis didn’t seem fun and I didn’t understand the rationale. Now that I understand the rationale behind longer midweek runs it has made making time for them far easier. This week I’m definitely spoiled since I am on vacation mode. There is a pretty clear path around much of Lake Union and then where there isn’t a path there is clear signage that directs you along the coastline and over the bridges.

We only stopped once for pictures which is why all these are in the same area. The Gasworks area provided great views of the Seattle skyline which explains why there were so many people enjoying the weather in the park. IMG_4289

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However, our favorite part of the run was earlier in our route when we passed the house boat developments. Literally there was one dock connecting a “development” of 20 to 30 different boats. They were so unique and amazing to look in the windows as we ran along the coast.

After our run we came back to shower before heading downtown for a progressive lunch in Pike Place Market! We were both starving since it was already 2:30 when we arrived downtown so our first priority was food! 

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Since we were in Seattle together just 2 years ago, we had fond memories of a couple stands. I was craving seafood and therefore headed straight to Jack’s Fish Spot. Instead of going with their popular fish and chips or fried oysters, I tried their lump Dungeness crab cocktail. It was delicious and a large enough portion to take me from hangry pants to happy!

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Next stop was Piroshky Piroshky, a famous Russian bakery that opened in the market 20 years ago. Our food tour two years ago introduced us to this place and I think Bo has been dreaming about it ever since. A piroshky is a hand held meal normally in the form of a stuffed bun or pie shape, filled with meat and vegetables. Bo enjoyed a beef and onion piroshky which didn’t disappoint. Steaming hot, the flaky pastry outside melted in your mouth! Of course I had to enjoy a bite, just to make sure it was safe.

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As we headed through the market, enjoying the sights and sounds, a fruit vendor convinced me that Washington peaches could live up to my Georgia expectations. I worried that these huge peaches wouldn’t have a strong flavor but boy was I wrong. This was the best peach I’ve ever had. Sorry Georgia but I definitely am cheating on you this week.

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We spent the rest of our afternoon enjoying the views and just hanging out park side until Ryan and Amy came downtown to meet us for some dinner grocery shopping.

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Such a wonderful and relaxing Seattle day!

Your turn! What’s your favorite fruit? Mine is definitely peaches!

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Five Miles Along Lake Michigan

If you’re new to my blog, then I guess I should let you know that running in a new city is one of my favorite things to do when I travel, whether with Bo, friends, or work. It’s a great way to appreciate the city from a different vantage point and feel like a local.

This week’s work trip was no exception and therefore I was looking forward to my five miler in Chicago as soon as I landed! The weather was supposed to be pretty perfect for August, a cool 70 degrees at daybreak, and super sunny.

Tuesday night, upon checking in at our hotel, I chatted with the front desk to verify my planned route that I’d put together on Map My Run. I highly having locals review your route if you’re in a new city to ensure that it is safe. 

Due to this planning, I was able to wakeup and head out quickly Wednesday morning for five miles along Lake Michigan before my breakfast work meeting. The sight that greeted me as I exited the hotel was breathtaking.

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I took the pedestrian tunnel under the highway over to the Chicago Lakefront Trail along the lake and Navy Pier area.  This path is a runner’s paradise as it is 18 miles long (hear that NYC?!) , paved, and includes amenities such as bathrooms, frequent water fountains, storage lockers, and restaurants.

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As soon as I exited on the other side I was greeted with the beachfront and a scene of swimmers heading into the lake for their morning run along with throngs of runners and bikers. It was inspiring to see so many other people out this early, enjoying the wonderful weather.

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I put in my headphones and just started running along the water, enjoying the scenery and my legs’ unexpected freshness and energy.

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I even saw a runner carrying a large American flag around mile 2.

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I turned around when I saw 2.5 miles pop up on my Garmin, right along a beach area where there were people doing boot camps, taking yoga, enjoying sand personal training sessions, and swimming in the water. While I love running in Central Park, this area of Chicago is pretty amazing and offers so many different fitness options.

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How great would Sun & Moon Beach Yoga be for a Thursday happy hour option after a long day of work?

A kind woman offered to snap a picture of me as she noticed me taking pictures at my turnaround point. A NYC runner enjoying a great Chicago run!

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My views running back towards the hotel were even better as I had the sand and lake to my left and the skyline in front of me.

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Five miles done bright and early before a long day of meetings! I especially loved the negatives splits during this progression run including my last mile at 9:36! Have I mentioned how ready I am for cooler, Fall weather in New York City? My marathon training will be forever thankful if it comes earlier versus later.

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What is your favorite running city?

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