Half Marathon #5...check

A couple of weekends ago, I participated in my 5th half marathon. Before you think I'm some sort of athlete, let me correct you now. I am not. I am s.l.o.w. People walk faster than I run. I can't even run the whole thing. I mainly do these half marathons because it's a good excuse to take a short vacation. For this marathon we crossed the water and headed to Pt. Angeles for the North Olympic Discovery Marathon. A great vacation. Along with me was BFF Susan who also did the half marathon. Here's my obligatory self potrait shot from the ferry deck. Geez...that's bright lipstick, huh? Check out the shots below.

On the road to Forks

Since we were in Pt. Angeles, Susan wanted to head to Forks, where Twilight is set. The drive over was beautiful.

The rabbits

OK, you're gonna think this is weird but when my rabbits died, I had each of them cremated with the intention of scattering their ashes. Well, when I went to Victoria for the half marathon, I took their urn, but forgot to spread their ashes. Yes, the rabbits got a weekend getaway to Canada. So now, I just take the urn with me on vacations. Here are the rabbits at the most beautiful lake...ever. They would have loved it here.

Lake Crescent

 

Susan at Lake Crescent

Lake Crescent II

 

Race Day comes early

On Sunday morning we got up, got dressed, and headed to the shuttle buses. This was the only down side to the whole weekend. The good news is that there were a lot of buses, and no one stood. Nonetheless, you have to wonder what all of us crazies were doing...I mean really, we paid for this torture.

The staging area

 

After getting off the shuttle, we waited on the soccer fields until the 9am start time. We had a good hour and 15 minute wait. There were tons of port-o-potties, but luckily, we spotted real restrooms behind the beverage stands. At 8:55, we headed to the start line and at 9am, we headed out. Of course in my head I wondered what I was doing...again.

The course

 

A lot of the trail looked like this. Beautiful. Of course, I only see the two women ahead of me and wonder if I can catch up and overtake them. Probably not.

At this mile marker...

 

we were greeted by this!

 

Highway part of the course

 

This is the part of the course before we hit the last 5 mile stretch which happened along the beach. Even along the highway it was beautiful.

It's all about the hardware, baby

 

So why do these half marathons? Well, it puts me on a 14 week workout schedule. If I participate in 3 half marathons, then my workout schedule for the year is pretty much set. But really, it's all about the shirt (I own a lot of $50 race shirts) and, of course, the hardware.

Hardware II

 

Post Race Dinner

 

So for dinner we decided to go to a steak and seafood restaurant. I thought I'd be hungry for a steak, but we ended up eating appetizers and having a caesar salad. Dessert? Dairy Queen Blizzards. Come to think of it, the last blizzard I had was after the Whidbey Island Half Marathon. Hmmm...I'm spotting a pattern...

Here's Susan with her beverage of choice...a Vespa Martini.

Diet Coke...24/7

 

Gawd I love this stuff.

Pt. Gamble

 

After leaving Sequim and crossing the Hood Canal Bridge, we wandered into Pt. Gamble. Really cute town. Here's a shot in front of a sign (which you can't really see cuz my big head is in the way...well, that's how I planned it...)

Dauntless Bookstore

 

Our first stop in Pt. Gamble was to the Dauntless Bookstore. We walked into a very charming bookstore of new and used items. Susan, being the good shopper that she is, bought enough stuff for both of us.

After the bookstore we headed to the General Store where I got a scoop of pistachio ice cream...yea, I was really craving sugar. Go figure.

Did I mention that all the businesses in Pt. Gamble are all on one street? It was a short simple tour.

The last stop

 

Our last stop in Pt. Gamble was to a Victorian Tea House. I was starving and there are only 2 places which serve food. I mistakenly went with the tea house. I forget that I can out-eat most people. And I like meat. So quaint sandwiches weren't going to cut my hunger. I actually wanted to go to the tea house to try their fresh baked scone with devonshire cream. It was my last carb binge before getting back on program. Well, it was a good experience, nevertheless, and I got to have my scone. Still, a ribeye would have taken the edge off...

From Pt. Gamble we headed to Kingston, hopped the ferry to Edmonds and then drove home. An absolutely wonderful weekend! I will definitely do this half marathon again next year.

Alex & Karen come for a visit

 

Schandl Visit

 

One of the funny things about Susan and her mom is that they are constantly entertaining guests. In April (or May...I can't remember), Susan's older brother Alex, and his wife, Karen, came to Seattle for a visit. As I am an honorary Schandl, I was also invited for lunch. Here's a shot of Karen and Jennie.

Kirkland at sunset

 

Last month (well, sometime in May), Susan's friend Jackie invited us to her boat which she and her husband had moored at the Kirkland marina. Well, I'm a sucker for boats...if I could afford one, I'd buy one...even a dinghy. So off we went to the marina and spent a lovely afternoon just sitting on the boat chatting. I got to see the sun set and just be on the water. Love it.

Jennie & Susan pose for the camera

 

While we were sitting outside I decided to take a couple of shots of Susan and her mom, Jennie.

Jennie & Susan - real life

 

Laying out on the boat

 

Here's a shot of my feet...don't look too close. I really need a pedicure. Really.

View of Kirkland

 

Here's a shot of Kirkland from the boat. Absolutely gorgeous day.