One of the funnest races ever!
We had spirit. We had a rockin’ atmosphere. We had dogs everywhere. We had bagels.
One does not run this for a PR… one runs this for fun. And spirit. Which we had (as stated above).
9 a.m. start time for James and the 12K.
As the race was in Renton, about an hour away from us, we opted to get up at 5 (on a Sunday… so I guess you know what I DIDN’T do last night… like drink). Meep (cat) was none too impressed and didn’t understand why we weren’t following routine… like sleeping until 9. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get through a morning when a half-Siamese cat is following you around and screaming at you the entire time, telling you to go back to bed??
Ignoring the cat and focusing on the task at hand, leaving promptly at 5:58, we arrived in Renton around 7 a.m. Score! No traffic! Empty parking lot! Barely any people! No line to the port-a-loos!!
A fabulously relaxing Sunday morning (#truth) as we sat in the Target Starbucks, warm and cozy, having coffee and tea, until it was time to head to the start line. BTW… this was the line to the portables 20 minutes before my 5K race started at 9:20. Somewhere in the distance you can see the potties (#runnersproblems). Surprisingly, it only took me 15 minutes:
One Seahawks player, three Sea-Gal cheerleaders, and Blitz (the mascot) were on hand to send the runners off, along with the Seahawks Drum Line, Blue Thunder. The energy was high.
Yes, it was cold at about 42 degrees. I had my hoodie on, which I took off for the race, although I did have a warming long-sleeve underneath my Seahawks tee.
And oh yeah… a thermal warming blanket.
The start line looked like this:
And this:
And everywhere in between:
Faux-hawks, puppies, and 12th Man Spirit abound:
Somewhere amongst the 5000+ people out for a little run today, I earned this:
… the coveted 12th Man Bling! The race tee was probably one of the best ever:
A lightweight hoodie. The only shirt that even compares to this is Tulsa’s Route 66 Half-Marathon long-sleeved jacket, which I wear all the time:
Post race was a bagel, banana, and water. Okay, I would’ve loved some chocolate milk AND water, but I won’t complain.
The race was great, the people were awesome, swag amazing, and in the end, I got my chocolate milk once we got home. That, and potato soup, courtesy of Subway.
A really great day!
Sounds like a perfect day!
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Thank you!! Yes, it was, 😀
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Yay! Awesome race!! You and your Seahawks! Lol great atmosphere 😊
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Haha, thanks Ben!! Yes, we love our Seahawks, lol!! If I do this race again, I’m going to have to go all out… tutu and all, 😀
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Sounds like a great time, Paula. You are having 42 degree weather, meanwhile it will be 80 today. YIKES. Glad you had fun running. I have heard those kinds of events are a good thing to do.
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Oh, they’re great fun Susan. It’s nice to have these stress-free events to remind you what it’s really about (when you’re not elite, lol)! 😀
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LOL. Have fun & good luck this year.
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Thank you!! 😀
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Sounds like a fun but cold day. 76 here yesterday but today down 12 degrees and north wind. Loved the pics. Jx
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Thanks Janet! 🙂
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Nice! Nothing quite like the energy of a race.
Giz isn’t Siamese (although I have had Siamese), but the damn cat follows me around several times a day . . . for breakfast, for treats, for dinner, for lap time . . . it’s amazing I get anything done with this crew! And they definitely don’t like a change in their routine. Although at the moment I’d argue what routine, what with training, travel, and my parents.
Nice bling! And always really nice to get something other than a tee. I’m kind of hoping my race has some sweatshirts left on race day — I thought hard about ordering one, but they weren’t cheap. They said they might have a limited amount available race day (which means they’ll probably be XL, LOL!).
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Yeah, your small size definitely sells out in a hurry. And I saw the shirt and told James this race was worth it just for the shirt alone. You’re right, they’re not cheap!!
Lol your animals. Yeah, you totally get where I’m coming from, 😀
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Actually, for a sweatshirt/hoodie I typically go for a medium unless it’s unisex — I like them roomy.
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Nice! Races like this remind you why you run, right?
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Ohmigosh, they absolutely do! It’s nice to throw a fun one into the mix without the stress! I’d do this yearly if I could, a really great time! 😀
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Well done Paula – for getting up at that time on a Sunday ! The things some people do to avoid queues… 😉 The nice bling makes it all worthwhile.
Wish I’d had your temperatures yesterday.
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Haha, thanks Mike! I know, I was amazed to hear you were so warm! Yikes! But you did so good!!
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I thought of you when I saw the medal that I might get at the Expo… It’s definitely an incentive. Certainly more than a fluorescent orange T shirt !
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I know right!! Nice bling always works for me! 😀
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Always nice to see people incorporating healthy activities to improve their health (and quality) of life. Looks like it was a lot of fun. Wishing you many more opportunities in the future.
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Thank you, and thanks for the follow! We have many more races planned, including the Marine Corps Marathon, my first 26.2. It’s going to be a fun year! 😀
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waiting in Starbucks before a race = awesomeness. Love the shirt. Enough with the tee shirts.
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I know right! I love getting something different other than the tech tee, 😀
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Well done you! 🙂
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Thank you!! 😀
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Great run and fun recap! This sounds like the 4 miler I’ve done for the past four Superbowls…always tons of team spirit and we start & finish at Panther’s stadium. I really need to sign up for a few fun runs just to get out running again…
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Thanks Sharon! Yes, you should! Especially those fun runs where there’s no pressure! 🙂
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Congrats Paula, what a great race. Glad you enjoyed it and the pictures are wonderful. Have a great day. 🙂
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Thank you so much Terry! I hope you’ve had a wonderful day as well! 😀
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Awesome medal and swag! Also, I am ALWAYS down for a race with mohawks and dogs 🙂 That is a great unique distance
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Thank you!! Yeah, you’re great with the mohawk races, I need to be way more creative next time, lol! I know… 12K… James was saying, “I don’t even know how to pace this,” hehe.
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Looks like a lot of fun and a great day! Glad the weather also played nice 🙂
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Thank you Dorothea!! The weather! I know!! It was the one day out of the week it didn’t raun!! Yayyy! 😀
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I saw one of your pics from this race on IG. Loved the storyline, not so much the pottyline before your race–Yikes!! Sounds like a great day all around.
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Lol! Thanks Steph! Yeah, definitely a great day! 😀
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You guys have the life! Looks like it was so much fun- despite the temp…BRRRRRR….!
But the cat? Seriously, that cat gives me Morris-like vibes!
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Oh yeahhh… Meep has total attitude! When things aren’t to his liking, he totally lets me know. I even have to give up half my pillow to him… But you know me, I wouldn’t have it any other way, 😀
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I know you wouldn’t! LOL!
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Lovely couple right there🌹
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Aww, thank you!! 🙂
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You are very welcome ❤
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You look great! What a fun day!
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You’re too kind, thank you!! Yes, a really great day!
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Love the cool stuff Paula!
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