Sunday, June 23, 2013

Seattle Rock'N'Roll Half Marathon 2013! Completion of the Pacific Peaks Challenge.


Yesterday I finished the Seattle Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon. It was so much fun. The weather ended up being great, only sunny day that we are going to have for a while. Now that being said, I think I would have preferred it to be a bit cloudy, there was hardly any shade, so it made it for a very hot race. Nevertheless, I had a great time and the course ended up being much better than last year.



I woke up at 5:00AM to get ready and leave, I live only about a 20 minute drive from Seattle, but I do like to be at races early, just to give myself enough time to find parking and to make sure that I got there before they closed the streets. The race stared at 7:00AM and I was placed in corral 23, out of 41 I think, not too bad, but that still meant that I didn't start running until about 7:30AM.


I got to Seattle right about 6:00AM, there was no traffic and I got a great parking spot. Once I paid for parking and got my stuff ready (I did gear check a bag so I can have a sweatshirt after the race). I made my way to the Space Needle, there were already so many people there that I had to shove thru the crowds to make it to gear check. I had a banana, some water and a bite of a bagel and then headed to my corral. I did notice a little bit of a change from last year, they had pushed back the starting line a bit.

Finally it was our turn and off we went, I started my watch and my phone ( I use the Map My Run app. which sucks by the way, I don't even know why I use it, its never accurate) and started running. I had gotten a pace bracelet from the Expo with a finish time of 2:15. I knew this was going to be a stretch since I have been trying to give my body as much rest as possible so training runs have been very few and far apart. I had kept the pace up until mile 6, that's where I fell behind a little. I felt pretty good through out the race, it was really hot and sunny the whole time, which I think worked against me. I was really worried about my knee that had been hurting me really bad during the Portland race, this time I didn't feel anything up until mile 7.5, but it wasn't nearly as bad, no tears this time :). I finished with an official chip time of 2:28:53. I was a little bit disappointed in myself since I was doing so good up until the second half of the race, but of well, maybe I should train next time, huh?

Overall I loved this race, I'm glad I did again and I'll probably do it again next year. I definitely prefer the Seattle race to the Portland one, although I was disappointed that they didn't have foil blankets at the finish line, I'm glad I packed a sweatshirt, I get super cold after running. At the end they had the usual: water, chocolate milk, Gatorade, bananas, Jamba Juice smoothies, granola bars and chips. Once I left the finish line area, I went to a medical tent to have both my knees wrapped with ice (this really helped me after Portland). I caught the last three songs by the headliner band Hot Chelle Rae. They were actually really good, I might look into getting their CD. Since I was by myself, I didn't really stick around for too long. Next I headed to the beer garden, I wasn't going to miss out on a free beer. This was also set up much better than in Portland, the lines there were so long that I didn't even wait, in Seattle I walked right up and got mine. Once I was done I headed to the UPS gear check and picked up my bag and headed home. But before I left I did have to stop by the Dahlia Bakery and pick up some goodies for the road and some for us to share at home.

The course was pretty much the same, there were some changes for the better, which I was super excited to see. The first and the biggest one was that the huge hill at mile 5.5 was no longer there :) If you ran it last year, you know what I'm talking about. The second change was the freeway onramp loop that went up to the stadiums was gone as well. I'm sure there were some other changes as well, but these were ones that I noticed.

I'm now at race 6 of 13 for the year, every one gets me closer to finishing my personal challenge for the year. Keep up with my races right here every month.

Hope to see you there next year and next month look for the blog post for See Jane Run race!

Keili

Running Challenges

Every since I completed the runDisney Coast to Coast challenge in the beginning of the year, I have been looking around for more fun challenges similar to that. Not only is it fun to challenge yourself to multiple runs, but you can also collect some awesome extra bling to show off your efforts.

I will be completing my Rock'n'Roll Pacific Peaks Challenge on Saturday by running my last stretch here in Seattle, I'll share this story at a separate post, so keep a lookout for that.

I'll start with runDisney then since that was my inspiration for this post to begin with. Now, Disney has a ton of challenges and keep adding more and more every year. This year especially they added two more challenges.

RunDisney Coast to Coast Challenge. This is a big one for most runners, what you have to do to earn this amazing Walt Disney and Mickey medal is run two runDisney races (Half Marathons or a Marathon) in one calendar year on each coast. One is Disneyland and one in DisneyWorld. Check out the rundisney.com website for the actual races that qualify for this challenge. Extra special Coast to Coast medal for 2014 is if you run the Tinkerbell half marathon in Disneyland and the Disney Princess Half Marathon in DisneyWorld you earn a pink and purple Coast to Coast medal!!!


RunDisney Dopey Challenge. This is a new one for 2014 as well. You have a chance to earn 6 amazing medals. Staring with a 5K run on Thursday, a 10K run on Friday, a Half Marathon on Saturday and a Full Marathon on Sunday, totalling a 48.6 miles in 4 days, you are rewarded with a medal for each race, plus a Goofies Race and a Half Challenge Medal and a brand new Dopey Challenge Medal.

RunDisney Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge. This one has been around for years. The challenge is to run a Half Marathon on Saturday and a Full Marathon on a Sunday and you are rewarded with a Goofy's Race and a Half Medal.


RunDisney Dumbo Double Dare. This is a new challenge for 2013. A 19.3-mile adventure held over two days, participants will run the Disneyland® 10K on Saturday, followed by the Disneyland® Half Marathon on Sunday. You will be rewarded with two medals for each race and an extra special Dumbo medal for the challenge.

 
RunDisney Glass Slipper Challenge.  A 19.3-mile adventure held over two days, participants will run the Disney Enchanted 10K on Saturday, followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon on Sunday.  You will be awarded the all-new Glass Slipper Challenge medal in addition to your Half Marathon and 10K finisher medals.

LA/SF Marathon Challenge. Runners who participate in consecutive ASICS LA Marathon and The Wipro SF Marathons will receive a special LA/SF Challenge medal commemorating this incredible achievement!



The Windy City 26.2 Challenge. This is for those individuals that complete both 13.1 Chicago and the Chicago Half Marathon. They will be rewarded with an awesome special Windy City 26.2 Challenge Medal.


Pacific Peaks Challenge. Run the Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon in Portland and then follow it up with the Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon in Seattle and you get this amazing Pacific Peaks Medal.


Rock'n'Roll Desert Challenge. Complete the Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon in Vegas and one in Arizona and you are rewarded with this speical Deset Double Down Medal.


Maryland Double: Competing in the full or half-marathon in both the Frederick Running Festival and the Baltimore Running Festival will get you this medal:

Medal_Proof_MDD_BIG07_Front











Nut Job Challenge: 5K Saturday and Half Marathon on Sunday in Frederick, MD.
Run the 5K Saturday night and then run the Half Marathon Sunday morning to earn yourself a speical bib, an extra medal and the title of being a Nut Job.

 
Beach Cities Challenge: Southern California: Run all three in a row and receive a special medal: Surf City Marathon, The OC Marathon and the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon.

















Half it All Challenge: San Francisco - Run the first half of the SF Marathon and the Second half in consecutive years.

 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Things to do with kids and toddlers in Seattle!


I'm always up for trying new things and searching for fun things to do in Seattle or in general for that matter. I will be putting up a separate post about general fun things to with kids and toddlers, so be on the lookout for that. I'll probably keep updating this list as time goes by as well, keep checking back for that as well.

We have lived in Seattle for the last 14 years and I used to think that there was nothing to do here and especially with kids is kind of hard to find new things to do. What I've figured out is that sometimes its fun to do the touristy things. Below you can find how we enjoy the joys of Seattle toursts during off season.

We love Seattle, it truly is the most beautiful place in the US (in my opinion anyway) and it does not rain here as much as people think that it does. Winters are mild and summers are warm, lots of beaches, water, mountains and forests, and no State Income Tax :) What else can you really ask for. I'll keep adding to this list as time goes on and we discover even more fun things to do, so keep checking back. Please let me know in the comments what you like to do in Seattle.

1) SEATTLE MONORAIL - By far the number one thing to for my son. Every time as I ask him what he wants to do in Seattle, the first thing is the Monorail and we always have to go there first. I have to agree, its pretty cool. Yes, its short, super short, but the ride is well worth it for $4, kids under 4 are free. Here is what we do most of the time, occasionally we'll change our plans if we want to spend time at the Seattle Center. I always park at a parking garage near Westlake Center, then we can walk there and catch the Monorail. Now Chase always has to sit in the front (right next to the driver), so we wait next to the gates so I can make sure he gets the chance to run and pick his seat, its a very popular spot and well worth the fight for it. TIP #1: ask the driver if your kid can honk the horn and they will always say "YES", it is such a cool experience for them that they will never forget and they will be telling others about it for weeks. TIP #2: If you don't care about spending time in Seattle Center then don't get off the monorail there, just stay on and when everybody has gotten off, walk to the other side and sit next to the drivers seat, guaranteed front seat every time :) That's what we do, we take it there and back and I buy round trip tickets at Westlake for it, then we don't need to get off and back on again, guaranteing a front row seat!

   
2) SPACE NEEDLE - You would think this is not something that a child would like, but I think you could be wrong. My boy who is four, he loves to go up there. TIP #1: don't pay to go to the top, just have lunch (cheaper than dinner) and if you spend $25.00 it includes the trip to the observation deck. When we go, I just order a cup of soup and a grilled cheese for my son and it makes for a very special lunch, he thought it was so amazing and you can see seaplanes flying right by it. TIP #2: don't miss the store across the way from the Space Needle, same souvenirs, much cheaper prices :)



3) PIKE PLACE MARKET - Get a picture taken with the famous pig. Watch the guys through the fish, TIP #1 don't worry if you live far, they will pack any kind of seafood you buy on dry ice, ready to be taken on an airplane or bus or car :) Make sure you don't miss the much talked about gum wall, and yes it is exactly what you think it is, its lots of gum stuck to the wall, make sure you make your own contribution. Don't miss the very first Starbucks if you are a coffee lover. TIP #2, take your kids downstairs there are lots of funky stores that they will love to look around at.

4) YE OLD COURIOSITY SHOP - Located on the water, just a long walk down the stairs to the waterfront from 1st avenue or make your way towards the Seattle Aquarium and you'll see it around there. My son loves this store, it fairly large, but its a combination of a museum and a store with the weirdest things you'll ever see. TIP #1: make sure you bring some quarters and get their pressed souvenir pennies and a token. Don't forget to buy a shirt or even some fudge for a snack (like I said they have anything and everything). TIP #2: make sure you make your way to the very back of the store where you see real mummies and shrunken heads.

5) THE SEATTLE AQUARIUM - This one, I can personally skip, but this is for the kids after all, so make sure you go and check it out. To be honest, the reason I don't like it as much as my son is that there are a few aquariums that I like more than this one (Vancouver BC, Point Defiance Zoo). Anyway, I would recommend this for kids though, they have so much fun. TIP #1 don't miss the petting "zoo", where they let kids touch the sea creatures, which is always fun. Most of the fish there are local, I wish they did have more exotic types of fish, but oh well. The otters are too cute, so don't miss that. TIP# 2: make sure you make your way outside to check out the seals in their natural habitat.

6) WATER TAXI - This one is a hidden treasure in Seattle. Trust me, you have to take the water taxi to West Seattle weather you have kids or not, this one is worth it. It only costs $4.00 to go to West Seattle and kids under 5 are free, what?!?!? TIP #1: sit in the back of the boat upstairs outside, you get the most beautiful views of Seattle, don't forget your camera. TIP# 2: take the latest boat you can, so you can see Seattle at night as you are leaving, so beautiful. I wouldn't recommend this if its super cold and rainy, because they view won't be as nice and it will be cold, you are on the water after all.

 7) PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER - This is a pretty cool place for childen of all ages and adults as well. Dinosaurs - Although I'm pretty sure they don't have an real disnosaur bones or fossils or anything like that, this area is still fun for the kids, they are a large scale models that move and make noise.
The Tropical Butterfly House - This is well worth it, its a room full of beautiful butterflies, they come and sit on your shoulders TIP #1: Please watch were you step here, its so easy step on the butterflies, they land on the ground a lot :(
We love the Insect Village, right outside the Butterfly House, this is a little boys dream to be able to watch instects, he could spend hours watching them. There are tons of different exhibits to see, the above ones are some of Chases favorites though. TIP #2: You can have birthday parties there, we had Chases very first birthday there, they provided the decorations, cake, ice cream making and eating, we made rockets and launched them outside, lots of coloring as well.

8) BURKE MUSEUM - This is a hidden treasue of Seattle, I never even knew this excisted until someone posted something about it on Facebook. Now I'm passing on the word, go check it out, its fun for all boys and girls no matter what their age. They have lots of dinosaur stuff, real dino bones and skeletons, lots of games, puzzles and toys as well. TIP #1: Leave lots of time for your kid to play, the games area is awesome, we could have spent hours there. TIP #2: Family Events, check out their website for fun family events, where you get to do hands on experiments and crafts with your child.
This is a Natural History Museum, so there are lots more things to look at, not just dino related, that's just the part we enjoy the best.


9) THE FREMONT TROLL - Now, I get there is nothing really to do at the Troll itself, however for a little boy like mine just climing on it and being able to see the VW Beetle like that is all the fun he needs. This is a Troll made by four local Artist, he his holding a real VW Beetle in his hand and he lives under the Aurora Bridge, you can find ton of street parking near by and I've never seen it overly crowded.     
TIP #1: You can climb on it, touch it, draw on it (as long as its not permanent). Just be careful, there tend to be homeless people sleeping under the bridge on the top of the Troll, so please watch your children. TIP #2: Check out Fremont, you are just minutes away from Fremont, its little, but it has so much charm, good stores and even better food. Don't miss Theo's Chocholate Factory. Tours are offered all day long, however not recommended for small children due to noice factors and its boring (for children :). That's what they told us at the store anyway. Also check out "Pie", they have the best and most unique pies we've ever had.

10) LEMAY CAR MUSEUM - It is a little drive away from Seattle, its about an hour south, in Tacoma. This is well worth the drive, escpecially if you have a little boy who loves cars. Again, this is fun for children of all ages and adults. These cars are all owned by the same person and they do switch out some cars occasionally so there are some new cars to see every time you go. TIP #1: Don't miss the car races, on the third level down you can buy tickets and race little remote control cars for 10 minues, this is what my son looks forward to the most. TIP #2: Enjoy the view, make sure you step outside on the main level on the very back, you get beautiful water views.


11) THE SEATTLE GREAT WHEEL - It's a Ferris Wheel on pier 57 in Downtown Seattle. It's the largest observation wheel on the west coast. This is the only Ferris Wheel of its kind to extend over water, 40 feet of it is completely over Elliott Bay. I think it costs around $12, with discounts to children. You get some amazing views of Downtown and the island accross the water. TIP# 1: Get there early and go during off season. Lines can get really long during the summer time. TIP# 2: Ask if you can get a pod all to yourself, otherwise they will seat other people in with you, because it seats 8 people. Its always hard to deside which side to sit on if you have to share.


12) TWIN FALLS HIKE - There are lots of places in the Seattle area to go hiking. Twin Falls is one of my favorites for a few reasons. It's close, its about 35 minute drive from Seattle. It's short, only 3 mile round trip. It's gorgeaus, you cannot go wrong with a trail in Washington State. It has everything, it starts out flat with a river running next to you, then you get to a foresty area, then you go uphill with huge trees, then you get bolders are rocks for kids to climb under and over, then you get to the first waterfall that you cross over and then you get to the other waterfall. On the way we saw chipmonks, they were so cute. TIP# 1: Pack a lunch that you can have at the river in the beginning of the trail. TIP# 2: Go during off season or during the week, this trail can get crowded during nice weather, but it is open all year round.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

The Fast and Furious 6 D-Box review!



I had been talking about this movie to my friends for a long time and finally the day has come. I'm a huge fan of all but one of the Fast and Furious movies, and you all know which one I'm talking about that I didn't like, right? So I should start out by saying that we don't go to the movies a whole lot, for a couple of reasons, first of all its getting kind of expensive and second of all, having a 5 year old kind of limits what kind of movies we can go and see. There have been times where we go and see movies separately, first my husband goes and I stay home with Chase and then I go while he watches him. I do have very nice friends that have offered to watch him while we go to the movies, so I think I might have to take advantage of that for our next movie "Before Midnight".


Back to the movie, this series is by far my sons favorite. He can watch those movies over and over and over again, and we have. So I couldn't resist to take him to see it when we had a chance to see it on a big screen. As I was talking about going to see this movie, one of my friends had told me about a D-Box movie theater that we have up here. I had never heard of it, but as he explained what it was and as I did some more research on it, it sounded amazing. The simplest way to explain it is, if you have ever been to the Star Tours ride in Disneyland and Disneyworld, its kind of like that. You have the huge movie screen in front of you and the seats move around depending on what is going on in the movie. Not to the extent obviously as a Disney ride would, but as there was a car chase or race, the seats would move left and right, the seats would shake when they would start the engines. Even during the fight scenes the seats would move back when they were punching each other.

I had to reserve the seats to the D-Box section, they sell out pretty fast, since there are only two or three rows in only a few theaters. The only problem that we ran into was that my son is so light weight and the seats activate as you put weight on them, so I had to press down on his seat the whole time. Afterwards my husband went to ask the money back for Chases seat and the manager told him that we could have asked them to have the seat be activated the whole time. Well, I guess we know now, but I was a little dissapointed that they didn't tell me that when we were buying a childs ticket. Oh well, we enjoyed it anyway.


Oh, now about the movie itself!!! I don't want to give away anything about the movie, but I did want to say that it was very action filled, with lots of car chase scenes and races. A lot more fighting than in the other movies in my opinion and you get your "The Rock" fix, he is a huge part of this movie. I enjoyed the plot and was excited to see Michelle Rodrigues back. There were definetly parts where it was very unbelievable, but I really didn't care. It was awesome to see all of the cast together again and from the ending it looks like there might me Fast and Furious 7 coming with somebody very special!!! I was a bit sad at the end, you'll know why when you see the movie, no spoilers here! Also, make sure you stay until the very end, that movie has many endings, just as you think that the movie is over they keep going with a twist and then they do it again.

I recommend this movie if you like action movies and car chases.