This time I decided to do the Biggest Loser Half Marathon, it was an inaugural run for Seattle. I think they have done other races across the country, but this was the first time they held it in Seattle. At this point I'm not really picky about the races that I'm choosing, but I do like the larger ones, where you get more than a few hundred people. I'm always afraid that I'll be the last one finishing, not that there is anything wrong with that, but honestly, I just don't want to be last, that's not too much to ask, is it?
This was my first half that I didn't feel like going to the expo the day before, I just chose to pick up my race bib and goody bag at the race. The course was very similar to the See Jane Run Half, they had a few slight changes but nothing major. This was the first time that I have ran a same course and I have to say that I enjoyed knowing what was next and being able to tell myself that all I need to do is just run around the corner and straight down and I'll be done. It felt good.
The race started at Gasworks Park in Seattle, this time the weather was absolutely perfect, it was cool, but not cold. They even had a couple of contestants from the Biggest Loser show. To be honest, I don't watch the show, so I couldn't tell you who they were, but everybody was snapping pictures and calling out their names. I got there with just about a half an hour to spare, got my stuff and gave my bag to gear check and off to the starting line I went.
The course was around Lake Union, its a beautiful course, you run across two bridges, past the University of Washingtons brand new football field and lots and lots of pretty water views. The race felt great over all. Lots of racers, it really was a sea of neon orange (that was the color of the T-shirt and the drawstring backpack that we got), I chose to wear my usual Lululemon gear, of course.
I was a little disappointed with the after race party. At other bigger races they've had lots of fun booths to look around at and good food to taste, at this race they just had bagels, bananas and water and that's it. So needless to say, I didn't stick around for too long, got my awesome medal and went home. And that's how it all went down.
I'm a little disappointed that my times have gone down with each race, but I've had a lot of knee issues lately and I really just want to finish my 13 halfs for the year and then take some time off to recover and start training for the Seattle Rock'n'Roll half again in 2014.
See you at my next race,
Keili
