Seattle Archives - Glitter and Dust

A Happy Holi-Daze Update On Life

December 23, 2016 by Kristen 8 Comments

For the first time in months, I feel I am able to sit down, sip on a glass of wine, take a deep breath, and reflect on everything that’s been going on in life. The busy-o-meter tends to redline this time of year, and it’s been hard to find the time and energy (mostly energy) to sit down and write. I’ve had a lot of people ask me if I’m still blogging or going to continue blogging next year. The short answer is, yes. It’s something that I love to do and want to find time to fit into my life. It serves as a personal journal of sorts, but also as a means to share my experiences with others who might benefit from or be inspired by my journey. It alsoallows me to connect with others from whose experiences and journeys I can find benefit and inspiration from in return. Because it’s been nearly three months since I’ve been able to blog on a consistent basis, I thought it would be nice to fill everyone in on what’s been going on with life CliffsNotes style.

We hired a new nanny to help with Axel a 3-4 days a week. It was hard to find someone with the flexibility and schedule we needed, but Justin and I kept searching and finally struck gold. Victoria is great with Axel and comes to the home four hours each day to help out while I work, train, and run errands. Knowing I have those hours each week allows me to stay somewhat sane. 🙂

I snuck away to visit one of my best friends in Southern Oregon and to go wine tasting with a group of her girlfriends. A weekend girl’s trip was just what I needed. It couldn’t have come at a better time, and it was so nice to see my friend Jess and her family.

Justin and I transformed the outside of our house into a haunted house for Halloween. Because the house sits slightly up off the road on a hill, we decided to set up the baby monitor so we could easily watch and listen for trick-or-treaters as they came up the driveway. The kids are incredibly entertaining and we gave out 240 full size candy bars throughout the evening. Two quotes stood out from the trick-or-treaters. The first was from a group of young boys, one of whom said to his friends as they approached the house: “Hey guys, stay close. This house is really scary.” The other was from a parent who simply said, “You guys won Halloween.” Justin was at the Halloween store when it opened the day after Halloween, and snatched up some great deals on more yard décor. He already has plans to go bigger and better (and scarier) next year, including constructing a big cemetery-like entrance arch over the bottom of the driveway. Men.

A few days after Halloween we flew with Axel for the first time and made our way to the Big Island of Hawaii for a 10-day family vacation with my mom, step-dad, Justin’s mom, and his sister. It was a lot of fun to see Axel in a tropical, beach environment and to have our families there to help. Although he was a bit skeptical about the ocean and sand at first, Axel eventually opened up and enjoyed the beach experience. I was amazed with how well he slept while we were in Hawaii. It’s obvious that the warm weather and daily adventures really wore him out!

We ventured down to the beach almost everyday, went on a run almost every day, dined at some amazing restaurants, and played lots of games at our rental house. Justin’s mom also rented an electric vehicle (basically a golf cart on steroids) so we could cruise around to the resorts and beaches within Mauna Lani. Vacations definitely have a different “vibe” with a toddler in tow, but it was fun nonetheless. It was great to spend time with family.

After returning from Hawaii, we spent the following week prepping for our next adventure up to Seattle. Our plan was to arrive in time to celebrate Thanksgiving, and stay for two nearly weeks as we had plans to go to the Seahawks game that following weekend. Jill (Justin’s sister) and her family were incredibly welcoming and warm during our 12-day stay (that is a LONG time to give up your home to guests). Not to mention, Axel did not sleep well and had us up between the hours of 2:30 and 5am. Every single day. Sigh.

As part of our trip to Seattle, I ran the Seattle Marathon, as most of you know, three days after Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes actually make for good fuel, just in case you are looking for an alternative to pasta and bread.

After the marathon I took a long break from exercise and slipped into vacation mode. It was really nice to relax and go with the flow while in Seattle, spend time with Justin’s family, and visit some of the attractions around the area. We met up with one of my life-long friends and her three kids at the Woodland Park Zoo, which was a treat, and took a trip to the aquarium with Axel. He loved it!

We bought a new car à a Toyota 4Runner Limited. We had planned on trading in our 2010 4Runner and purchasing a new one in Bend, but had a poor experience at the dealership and decided to go elsewhere. The Toyota dealership in Kirkland had just what we were looking for, and was very easy to work with (though they might not say the same thing about me since I had done my homework and beat them up pretty good on the price).

This year we decided it would be nice to do some three-generation family photos with Justin’s family during our stay in Seattle. It just so happened that my stepsister Whitney, who is an amazing photographer, was in the area for a couple days, so we connected with her for a family photo session along the waterfront and next to the Old Spaghetti Factory’s historic brick building downtown. Thanks for your patience and perseverance in capturing the whole fam-damily, Whitney!

For our 4-year anniversary, Justin got us tickets to the Seahawks vs. Panthers game that would take place on Sunday night. We spent our last day in Seattle with tens of thousands of Seahawks fans, tailgating and getting hyped up to play one of our biggest rivalries. Unfortunately, the night ended a little early after the guy sitting behind us poured an entire beer down the back of my head, neck, and back. I was a mess. If it wasn’t 30 degrees and freezing, I probably would have toughed it out, but we had a big lead and I was really uncomfortable sitting in a pool of stinky beer.

Once we returned back to Bend, I jumped straight into finals week and spent countless hours prepping exams, grading papers, and working on final grades. Finals week and submitting final grades is always a hectic time, so needless to say my life was put on hold between work and taking care of Axel.

Axel had his 15-month follow-up appointment a couple weeks ago. Our healthy little boy is growing at a rapid rate, standing at 32 ½ inches tall (90^th percentile) and tipping the scales at 24.8 pounds (76^th percentile). His head circumference is a whopping 50cm, putting him in the 99^th Yes, our child has a gigantic head. We are also certain that he will be walking any day now.

Last week, Justin’s dad, Bob, and his wife, Ann, were in town visiting from South Carolina for a few days. They hadn’t seen Axel since last Christmas so it was fun to reunite them a year later. During their stay it snowed a whopping 20 inches (in ONE day) so we stayed warm and cozy inside next to the fire and Christmas tree. Well, except for Justin who got to break out his snow blower three times to clear the driveway and sidewalks. Don’t worry, we got out the sled for a quick trip down the driveway before the removal process took place.

We did make it a priority to visit Santa while they were in town, which was really fun…. for the adults. Don’t worry Axel, I’m sure you’ll warm up to the man with the white beard dressed in red one of these years.

I haven’t done much training the past four weeks, aside from a little run or ride here and there. I actually appreciated and needed the downtime. That will all change in the very near future, as I officially signed up for Ironman Canada and will begin rebuilding my fitness for the 2017 season. I always get excited come the New Year, as it brings a new set of goals of challenges – and a fresh start. Even if it means I have to get my butt back into the pool.

I am looking forward to blogging on a more regular basis, and to getting back in touch with many of my readers. I have roughly five blog posts in the works, plus a new interview series that I’m hoping to work on with some notable athletes and other figures from the triathlon community. It’s just a matter of making the time to sit down and write.

With the weekend fast approaching and the ensuing chaos of presents, family obligations, entertaining, football games, and other commitments, I just want to take a moment and wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or whatever other holiday you chose to observe – religious or otherwise . Thank you so much for being a part of this blog and a part of my life!

Seattle Marathon Redemption

December 13, 2016 by Kristen 13 Comments

After weeks of traveling, work, and getting settled into the holidays, I am finally able to sit down and share my experience running the Seattle Marathon. It never takes me this long to reflect on a race, but this was no ordinary race, and my life hasn’t really been quiet enough to allow me to clearly sort out the details.

Two weeks ago I lined up with thousands of runners for a 26.2 adventure on foot around the beautiful city of Seattle. It was, and still is, a little surreal to think that this was my tenth marathon since becoming a runner and completing my first marathon in Houston in 2007.

This training cycle was a little different from those of marathons past. After finishing Ironman Coeur d’Alene in August, I was surprised to find out that I wasn’t quite ready to hang up my shoes and call it a season. My head was still very much in “go” mode and I wanted to challenge myself to do more before hitting the reset button and prepping for the 2017 race season. So, I signed up for the Seattle Marathon, knowing it would give me a chance to get in some good miles during the fall (my favorite season for running) and allow me a nice break between during the holidays. It would also give me a shot at redemption, since I was less than satisfied with the result from the last time I ran the Seattle Marathon in 2013.

It was really interesting shifting gears from Ironman training to marathon training. The amount of time required for an Ironman is so significant that I felt little unsatisfied at first when I entered into marathon mode. “What, only 8 hours of training on the schedule this week?” I would think to myself. But when a majority of that time is devoted to running, it quickly catches up to you and wears on the body. Eight hours became the new manageable norm for me. I was running 5 days a week, anywhere from 25-48 miles, while still riding my bike 2-3 hours a week. That was enough for me.

And eventually, it wore on me pretty considerably. It was a really busy fall with traveling, work, and taking care of a toddler. At least I was able to log a lot of warm, sunny, early morning miles (including a 20-miler) during our vacation to Hawaii. Axel is a lot more fun at this age, but definitely wipes me of energy a lot faster than he used to. I am starting to think this next year is going to be a lot more challenging keeping up with the little tiger. Even while I was tapering for the race, I never felt rested or “ready” for some kind of epic performance. When my coach and I were discussing goals and times, the numbers he was throwing out seemed way out of my wheelhouse, though I’m sure on the right course under the right conditions his expectations might have been doable. Heck, after Axel woke us up at 2:30AM the morning of the race, I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to do the race. Justin was kind enough to drive him around in the car for a few hours, though I never did fall back asleep. I was incredibly tired and I hadn’t even run a mile.

Thank goodness for adrenaline.

The race started at 8:15 a.m., which gave Justin, Jill (my sister-in-law), Axel, and I plenty of time to get ready, eat breakfast, and drive to the start area. Having run the Seattle Marathon three years ago, so I knew what to expect → cold, wind, rain, and hills. This year was no different. The weather, while frigid, was quite nice at the start of the race. I was fortunate to have my crew there at the start, as I was able to stay bundled up and warm before stripping down to my shorts and top. I started the race in shorts, arm warmers, and a long sleeve top (which I would eventually toss to Justin at mile five).

I lined up next to the 3:20 pace group and found a solid rhythm as soon as the race started. My goal for the race was to finish under 3:20 – something I have never come close to doing. The first few miles flew by as I stayed with the chatty pace group. As each of those first miles passed, I quickly realized we were running pretty fast and were way ahead of pace. The pacer was pretty sporadic and I found myself doing exactly what my coach told me not to do. Ugh.

I made the decision that running with a pace group was not for me and ran ahead a little so I could get them “out of sight, out of mind.” The first four miles are through the city (really fun), before you venture onto the express lanes of the freeway, run through a really warm, muggy tunnel, and emerge onto the I-90 bridge to Mercer Island. As I exited the tunnel and made my way to the bridge, I saw Justin, Jill, and Axel cheering for me in the distance. I stripped my long sleeve, said a quick hello, and trotted off with a smile.

Although the bridge is neat because it is a floating bridge and you get to run between two major highways across Lake Washington, it is also a bit obnoxious because it’s extremely exposed (windy) and a straight out and back. To help shield the wind, I found a couple of bigger guys who were running my pace and tucked in behind them for a mile or so. Yes, even in running you can find a way to draft.

Once I made my way off the bridge and back onto land, there was a long flat section along the waterfront, which was absolutely beautiful. I saw my family at mile 11 and then again at mile 14 after completing a loop through Seward Park and making my way back the way I came. When I saw Axel at mile 14 he gave me the absolute BEST smile and laugh as I stopped to kiss his rosy cheek. And then I heard him cry as I ran away and it made me want to get to the finish line that much faster. Having my family out on the course once again reminds me that fuel and energy comes from more than just Gatorade and GUs.

Up until mile 20 I was still feeling pretty good and was maintaining a 7:36 pace. At times I felt like I was running slower than I was, so every time I looked at my watch I was pleasantly surprised. This of course made me want to show off my spirit fingers.

Having done this race before, I knew it would all change and that I was in for a beat down when the worst of the hills began in the miles ahead. As I approached the first monster hill, I saw Justin there ready to run it with me. There was a large group of women standing on the street corner cheering for runners as they made the turn up the hill, and he had obviously prepped them for my arrival. I was greeted by a barrage of “Go Kristen” screams from this group of complete strangers as Justin started running alongside me up the hill. We started up and right on cue, my legs began to scream. This was also the point at which the rain started coming down (how appropriate) and it got really cold and windy.

We had previewed this section of the course the day before on the way to packet pickup, so I knew what to expect. Just make it to the top. Just make it to the top. I kept whispering to myself.

Eventually, I peaked up and over that first hill and had a half-mile to recover before the next set of hills through the arboretum and botanical gardens. Unexpectedly but thankfully, I handled this section a lot better than I did the first time I ran this race. It gave me both confidence and affirmation that I’ve become a better, stronger and most importantly smarter runner.

Once the hills were over at mile 24 I looked at my watch and started doing the math, only to realize that I was not going to make my sub-3:20 goal. I would have to run sub 7-minute miles and that was not a reality given the state that my body was in. But, you better believe that I tried. I ran those last two miles, pouring my heart into every step. By that time my legs were completely numb (at one point I had to look down to make sure my shorts were still on me) and I was in a lot of pain. I made the trek through the city, toward to Space Needle, and into the stadium where I would once again finish a marathon on a football field. I heard my name on the loud speaker as I crossed the finish line and was awarded my finisher medal.

I was so happy to be done. In fact, I needed to be done. It was a heck of a way to round out an incredible race season and I was proud to have run the way I did on the most challenging marathon course I have completed. I ended up finishing 5th in my age group, which was my highest placing in a marathon so far.

3:21:44

A PR.

And a trip to Boston in 2018.

It’s a little masochistic in my opinion to hold a marathon three days after Thanksgiving, but for me it was a great way to make sure I didn’t overindulge on turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, and to give me a little cheat room for holiday sweets and treats. It was a mental boost for me to know that despite all of life’s other commitments, distractions, and obligations, it’s always possible to find the time to train and compete at a high level.

But for now, it’s time to enjoy the holidays and some much needed and hard earned time off, before hitting the ground running (literally) in a few weeks to start the cycle all over again leading up to my 2017 race schedule including Ironman Canada.

A Long and Festive Fourth of July Weekend (sneak peak of the Lake Stevens 70.3 course)

July 7, 2014 by Kristen 33 Comments

Last week, Justin and I ventured up to Seattle to visit his side of the family and to celebrate the 4th of July holiday. We got an early start on Tuesday and arrived just in time to watch the U.S. versus Belgium soccer match, which unfortunately ended with a loss. I actually enjoy soccer but I guess the rest of the country can now forget about it once again, at least for the next four years. After the match, we headed out for a little hike with Justin’s sister and our niece, quickly realizing just how much the heat and humidity would zap our energy. Seattle was breaking heat records. After walking along a few trails and climbing a huge set of stairs, I was sweating profusely. I don’t know how I ever survived running during the hot, humid Houston summers back in the day.

That evening we caught up with the family and ate dinner just down the street at Red Hook Brewery, which was packed. Justin’s sister drives a BMW 335 convertible, so we took full advantage of the opportunity and drove it to dinner while the rest of the family piled into another vehicle.

On Wednesday, Justin and I headed out early on our way to Lakes Stevens to check out the Ironman 70.3 course. We were quite surprised at how small and resort-like the town is. Really, this place hosts an Ironman event? It was quite the opposite of Boise 70.3 in every way possible. The swim area was really nice and calm, surrounded by houses and docks on each side. Sighting should be much easier on this course.

We then hopped on out bikes to ride a majority of the course, which started out fairly easy but made a big shift in level of difficulty about 10 miles in. I don’t know if it was my fatigued legs or what, but I really found the course to be challenging. There were several short, but steep climbs and descents, along with one hill that registered at 18.8% grade. I was out of the saddle, standing on the pedals and feeling as though I was going nowhere. It was quite frustrating. Below is an idea of the part of the course that I rode (through mile 40) and the last 16 miles that we drove.

The bike course itself is beautiful and surrounded by thick green trees, rivers, and lakes. After riding most of the course, I have determined that I need to go into Beast Mode when it comes to training on steep hills for the next several weeks.

The two loop run course is interesting, as part of it is really pretty along the lake, while part of it travels along industrial back roads that are very unsightly. The course is pretty flat with a few small hills. All in all I think it will be a fun experience.

After finishing our ride we headed up to my mother-in-law’s cabin (we call it the Sugar Shack) on Camano Island. The house was just remodeled, so it was fun to check out all the changes. After showering and getting cleaned up, we enjoyed a few games of Sequence (only the best game ever) and a nice appetizer before heading out to dinner at the Camano Island Inn.

We really lucked out with a great table overlooking the water and in the sun. The temperature was perfect. I had the scallops and enjoyed a glass of Syrah, while the sunset was growing more colorful with each passing minute. What a lovely place to have an elegant dinner on Camano Island.

On Thursday morning Justin had a business meeting nearby in the town of Anacortes, so we located the local high school track and dropped me off so I could get in a long run while he was working. I broke my record on the track by a long stride, completing 44 laps (11 miles) with an average pace of 7:18min/mile. It was one of the best runs I have had in a while and it felt great. I was even able to negative split the workout and run the second half faster than the first. It may sound somewhat crazy to run that far on a track, but when you have some good music and a nice controlled environment, sometimes it just works.

Justin arrived back just in time to watch me complete my final few laps, after which I quickly cleaned up and changed (right there in the parking lot) so we could go to the Lululemon outlet. I didn’t do too much damage this time.

That afternoon and evening, Justin and Mary (Justin’s mom) cooked up a storm for dinner, which included flank steak, sweet potatoes, grilled onions, and asparagus. It was fantastic and tasted extra good after working so hard that morning. Later that evening we played a few more games of Sequence and awaited the arrival of Justin’s sister and her brood.

Friday – happy 4th of July! We woke up early and decided to get our workout done while the weather was nice and cool. I did a 27-mile bike ride around the back roads of Camano, while Justin went out for a 6-mile run.

My ride was just lovely and it was great to be next to the water and able to see people out and about preparing for firework madness.

That is exactly what the Fourth of July is like on Camano Island. The people in this community do not joke about their celebrations and fireworks. All of the beaches are filled with people, bonfires everywhere, and the echoes of booms blasting all around. This was by far one of the craziest firework experiences I’ve seen, as people spend thousands of dollars to put on a seemingly professional show. Apparently the owner of the house two doors down is friends with the local tribal chief, and actually goes to his house each year to pick out roughly $5,000 worth of fireworks for the celebration.

The weather was kind of a bummer as it was cold with showers here and there, but we all bundled up and sat around the fire to keep warm. As the night went on, the weather actually got better and while it never warmed up, at least it stopped raining.

Fireworks blasted in all directions well into the night. Justin and I went to bed around 11pm still listening to and feeling the booms shake the house.

Saturday was somewhat of a (much needed) lazy day as we packed up and headed back to Seattle. Justin and I went down to the waterfront and had a late afternoon lunch at Ray’s Boathouse. It was fun to sit outside, listen to the rain trickle onto the cover above us, and watch the boats enter and exit the harbor.

Our evening was spent relaxing on the couch and watching the Tour de France – good R&R for the soul. On Sunday morning we got another early start to avoid holiday traffic, and made the six hour drive without trouble and were back home in Bend by 12:30pm. What a busy, yet fun-filled holiday weekend with the family. Looking forward to heading back in six weeks to race!

You’re Unique, Just Like Every Other Fan

January 23, 2014 by Kristen 6 Comments

Typically, major events that trigger massive amounts of emotion in people are one sided. There are good events that cause everyone to simultaneously experience joy, and there are bad events that evoke sadness, frustration and anger. But what happens when one event triggers polarizing emotions that clash amongst two major groups of people? Well, that my friends is what happens every weekend in the National Football League, including this past weekend in the AFC and NFC National Championship games. And it was hard to avoid the opinions, name-calling, bragging, and display of emotion that took over the Internet and social media outlets.

As I was posting my excitement about the Seahawk victory on Facebook, I instantly started noticing the negative comments and anger, and someone even made a comment to me about Richard Sherman as if I was Richard Sherman and it was my fault he was running his mouth after the game. Every new post in the feed was either an extreme amount of joy for the win or an extreme amount of anger and resentment for the loss. I sat back, watching this circus unfold on the television and Internet, and couldn’t help but look at it from the perspective of the psychologist in me in an effort to understand WHY.

What makes a fan? A fan can be anyone, cheering for anything, really. When one becomes a fan, he or she connects to a group. Whether it’s a football team, particular product or company, athlete, or your own family member, when we are a fan of someone or something, we build an internal relationship with it. Humans have a strong desire to belong and connect with other people, and becoming a fan of something partially fills that need.

Strangely enough, there is a real psychological connection that occurs with fandom. Fans will cry and feel the loss when their team is defeated. Fans will jump for joy, laugh, yell, and scream with elation when their team succeeds. Why? Because if we are psychologically connected to something to begin with, we will, in a sense, feel what others are feeling.

When we are connected to something, like a football team, and we are watching the players perform on the field, their actions can trigger what are called mirror neurons, which can ultimately allow us to feel as though WE are the ones performing those actions. It is one of the reasons we can feel empathetic toward others. If a player gets a touchdown and displays joy, we feel that same joy. If a player fumbles, and feels failure, we feel that failure too. Perhaps not to the same degree, but definitely to some extent depending on how connected we are to the individual or to the team. And those feelings of pride, joy, failure, anger, and success…those are all REAL emotions.

Makes sense right? This is why you hear people say WE won, MY team won, WE did it, and WE are going to the Super Bowl when things are good. And it’s precisely why you hear them say THEY lost, THEY will get them next year, THEY played well but just couldn’t pull it together, and THEY fought hard, when things are bad. It’s amazing really. We tie ourselves more closely to winners, because it really does feel good to win, and we distance ourselves (even if only unconsciously for a moment) from losers, because it hurts.

It’s an investment. People take time out of their lives, pay money for gear and tickets, and most importantly invest emotion and energy into being that “fan” each week! The more they do this, the more emotionally connected and influenced they are going to feel. I am not going to invest $500 dollars in tickets to a game unless I fully intend on “acting” my moneys worth in the fan I intend to be. The more we invest, the more we try to connect. It’s that simple.

Fans feel as though they can do things to help or control the outcome, whether that’s through yelling and screaming, game day traditions, or even superstition. Have you seen the Bud Light commercials with the message “It’s only weird if it doesn’t work.”? Well, fans will do some crazy things that make them believe they are influencing the outcome of the game. Whether it be wearing that lucky shirt, sitting in the same spot when watching the game each week, not opening a bag of Skittles until Marshawn Lynch scores a touchdown (a big one in my household), or playing that lucky song, we believe it works.

It’s powerful. It brings people from all different ages, races, religions, sexualities, and backgrounds together in space and mentality, which you may not otherwise see. It breaks down barriers and gives people a chance bond and associate themselves with others who are different from them, but whom share the same passion and excitement for a team. We become instantly connected to others with whom we might not otherwise associate, and we NEED this kind of interaction amongst the diverse country we live in.

It creates an ability to stand out to others and play a meaningful role amongst a group. Think about it. Why do people go all out dressing in costumes, going shirtless during a game when it’s -5 degrees, and venture out of their day-to-day comfort zone? It’s not because they believe that Halloween is a recurring event from week to week. It’s actually a way to connect with others, show your commitment to the team, and gain some admiration and instant credibility from other fans. Think of it as a social hierarchy. If I am the fan that goes all out, then I am the fan who is looked up to by others, earns TV time, and whom other fans may strive to be. I am the celebrity and I am getting a piece of the limelight. And if that gets me TV time that is shared with the actual players, then that makes me feel like I am more a part of the team. Just ask the SeaHulk, or Mr. and Mrs. Seahawk how connected THEY feel to their team.

Being a fan is also protective. Fans not only get excited and celebrate when their team or player does well, they also get protective and defensive when things go wrong. They will go to great lengths to defend their team (their family), rationalize or justify poor play or a loss, and instill hope that things will change and get better. This has a self-serving purpose as well. If someone criticizes or makes negative remarks about my team, I am likely to take them personally and respond/react defensively, as if I were the actual target of these remarks. It will then be my responsibility to defend the team and demonstrate my loyalty. Why did social media blow up after the Richard Sherman interview that gained so many negative remarks? Because, people felt a need to support him and show their allegiance to the Seahawks. What we all need to remember is that our loyalties and allegiances may clash at times, but we are human and need to be respectful of these differences. How boring would the world of sports, entertainment, education, and activity be if we were all the same? Sounds pretty dull, in my opinion.

Being a fan can be rewarding, and it can be frustrating. Often within the span of only a few minutes. But the world needs fans. I run a little faster when my husband cheers me on when I am running a race. A football team feeds off the voices of its fans surrounding them in the stadium. An actor may devote a little more time when moviegoers flock to the theater. A child might choose the challenging road because he or she knows that his or her parents will be there to support and encourage. Embrace the Fan in you. You are wanted (and needed) in this world. You probably want fans in your own life as well. It’s a marvelous thing.

Seattle Marathon, Hill Yeah!

December 4, 2013 by Kristen 5 Comments

It had been about 1½ years since I ran the Eugene Marathon, so I was looking forward to tackling the Seattle Marathon after running a handful of half marathons over the past year. Besides, running a marathon the Sunday after Thanksgiving is a great way to avoid overindulgence. On Friday, Justin and I headed downtown for packet pick-up and to drive a majority of the course. I was excited when I discovered I was race bib #2621 (26.2 miles – get it?).

On Saturday I went to bed with the sound of pouring rain and wind whipping through the trees. I mentally prepared myself for the worst, as the weather forecast for Sunday morning called for a 100% chance of rain. It was a great relief on Sunday morning to wake up to high clouds and dry pavement – YES!!! NO RAIN!!! Although the wind was still roaring with gusts up to 30mph, I was thrilled to not have to run in the rain.

Justin and I headed downtown giving ourselves enough time to park, use the restroom (maybe more than once), and make our way to the start. The atmosphere was lively as runners were lining up in the start corral, and crowds were gathering around to cheer. Justin waited with me until it was time to strip the jacket and squeeze into the crowd of runners. Game face on. Nerves twirling in the belly. Three, two, one…BOOM!

The first 2 miles were an adrenaline filled blur as we ran down 5th Avenue through the city and onto the I-90 expressway onramp. I quickly got into a groove at mile 3 as we ran on the expressway and entered a LONG tunnel (a first for me) that would spit us out on the bridge to Mercer Island. As I reached the end of the tunnel at mile 4.5, I saw Justin cheering amongst the crowd.

Miles 6, 7, and 8 on the bridge over to Mercer Island and back were probably three of my least favorite. For one, it was really windy and out in the open, thus I had to expend a lot of energy to fight forward. The concrete was also hard on my legs and uncomfortable to run on, given that I hadn’t done any training on concrete. Although I was running too quickly to see it, Justin captured a photo of a sign that I found to be quite creative. Go Seahawks!!!

Once I was off the bridge, I was a happy camper. Miles 9, 10, and 11 were along Lake Washington Blvd toward Seward Park. I saw Justin at Mile 10 and quickly stripped my arm warmers and gave them a good toss in his direction. Given the 50 degree temperature, I could do without any additional coverage.

I was greeted by Jill, Mary, Madison, and Kendall (my sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and two nieces) at mile 11, as they were waving pompoms and ringing cowbells. There was NOT a more energetic group of people out there! After passing them, I completed a three-mile loop around Seward Park, met up with them again for one last hurrah, and continued on the road from which I had already traveled. I was happy to see Justin again at mile 16 before charging onward toward the finish…and I was super impressed by the race attire this guy wore – how is that possible?

Miles 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 were fairly flat, along the water, following Lake Washington Blvd toward the city. Once I hit the 15-mile mark, I started to notice subtle pains in my hips, IT band, and knees. The concrete course was taking its toll on me more than I had expected.

I knew before passing the 20-mile mark that I was going to have a few struggles along the last 6 miles. My hips and legs were aching more than they should have been for the distance. Psychologically I was feeling a bit defeated because I knew that the toughest part of the course was still ahead of me. When I approached the steep (killer) hill at mile 20.5 I saw Justin smiling and cheering. He ran alongside me as I slowly ascended “The Hill.” Oh, now I understand what everyone was talking about when they said the course was tough and hilly toward the end.

Mile 21 at Madison St. was when I realized that I would not be qualifying for Boston. The 3:35 pacer slowly passed me and disappeared over the hill into the crowd of runners. That was OK with me. By that time, I just wanted my body to get me through the climb from mile 21 to 24 without stopping or quitting. I never stopped once.

Once I reached mile 24 I could see the Space Needle and downtown in the distance. Hope spread through my body. I fought the strong headwinds, kept up a decent pace, and used what was left of my legs to get me through miles 25 and 26. As I turned the corner to enter the football stadium, I knew I had done the best I could do under the circumstances.

I loved that the finish area was in an outdoor football stadium. I told my husband that he should toss me as I entered the stadium, but I’m not sure I would have been coordinated enough to catch it by then. I crossed the line with a time of 3:40:13 and immediately wrapped up in a thermal blanket and made my way over to my husband. He was smiling and proud. I was overwhelmed and teary. It was a beautiful moment.

The Pros: Beautiful course with a lot of variety (freeways, bridges, tunnels, parks, neighborhoods, city), great crowds and cheer support all along the course, miles 10-20 are fairly flat and easy to run, temperature was perfect, finishing on a football field.

The Cons: The hills between mile 20.5 and 24 are mentally and physically tough, the course is 80% concrete (which is hard on the body), weather can be iffy (30mph winds = no bueno), post-race food options were limited and somewhat unappealing to me.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience at the Seattle Marathon, however I do not think I would run it again. There are too many others I would like to pursue!

A special thanks to my husband for taking so many awesome pictures!!!

How I Became A Guinness World Record Holder

September 16, 2013 by Kristen 2 Comments

Yesterday Justin and I, along with our friends Skip and Jen, drove in to Seattle to watch the Seahawks take on the 49ers for Sunday Night Football. It was one of those days with my husband that I will never forget, as we experienced energy and celebration amongst fans that, before today, was literally unheard of.

One of the most anticipated games of the NFL season, and quoted by some as the best/biggest rivalry in the NFL, this game was to set the stage for both teams – only one winner, only one loser – and everyone would know it moving forward in the season.

We arrived in downtown Seattle around 11:30am, parked at our hotel (which was swarming with 49er fans) and headed out to explore the city and find a place for lunch.

Given the atmosphere, we settled on Pike Place Brewery where we could watch the morning and afternoon games, mingle amongst fans, and have something good to eat and drink. Justin and I shared a pulled pork sandwich and I had an IPA alongside my Starbucks from earlier.
Once we were finished at the brewery, we headed back to the hotel with hopes of checking in. Unfortunately, the Red Lion was unable to ready our rooms and we had to wait until after the game to check in. We gathered our game day gear and belongings and started walking toward the stadium.

*Ponchos
*Camera (phone)
*Extra Layer of Clothing
*Hat
*Mask
*Wig
*Beads
*Cash

All of which fit into our new NFL regulation size clear bag, which is now a requirement as traditional backpacks are no longer allowed inside the stadiums.

Upon arrival to the stadium we were taken aback by the energy and life exuding from all the fans. It was absolutely fascinating to witness. Jerseys and Seahawks gear covering every body – wigs, hats, capes, mohawks, paint, signs, tattoos, glasses, and masks to accessorize. People sure got creative.

Our first stop was Pyramid Alehouse, which hosts a huge outdoor beer garden and social scene before every home game, complete with tents, games, loud music, and plenty of beer. We spent an hour socializing and watching entertaining fans circulate amongst the crowds.

Following Pyramid, we proceeded to the stadium with a pit stop at Touchdown City – probably a little more exciting and eventful for kids, but we captured a few fun shots.

After roaming around for a few minutes, we enjoyed a snack and cold beverage while conversing with a few other fans. We met a really nice couple from Canada who had flown down for the game. It sounds like the Seahawks have quite a few Canadian followers.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was indescribable. People were filling seats early, introductions were made between neighbors – front, back, and side. Voice getting geared up for 3 ½ hours of yelling → time to break a WORLD RECORD!

The first quarter of the game was nerve wracking due to the close 2-0 score, the result of an early safety. Seahawks are the first the score!!! The stadium was loud and not one person around us was sitting in their seat… it was intense.

Then, down came the rain as the sky lit up with lightning and the sound of thunder. Even God wanted to play a part and add to the noise. It also meant that the game would be postponed until further notice. Justin and I hung out in our ponchos as the players exited field and people fled their seats to seek shelter from the rain.

After a while, Justin and I exited as well to get a snack, use the restroom, and dry off. Once the storm passed, an hour later, the stadium filled quickly, louder than before, and the game resumed.

The Seahawks dominated the rest of the game. It was in no way a flawless game, as there were plenty of penalties and a few errors primarily on offense, but that is to be expected when two good teams battle it out for a victory.

Being a part of that crowd, which is affectionately referred to as the 12th Man, was an incredible (priceless) experience. I have never yelled so loud and felt that kind of disarray of my senses – hearing, voice, and feeling – all were “off” (notably after the game). The fans were able to unite and set a Guinness world record for the loudest stadium crowd in the world. 136.6 decibels. YES! Part of history!!

THE FINAL SCORE = Seahawks – 29 and 49ers – 3

Following the game we made our way back to the hotel, amongst a sea of screaming, happy fans roaming the streets of downtown Seattle. The “epicness” of this game will always be remembered.

THE FINAL SCORE = Seahawks – 29 and 49ers – 3

Do you have a memorable sporting event experience?