NFL Seahawks 5K 2014!

It has been a while since I've ran a race, but when the opportunity came for another Seahawks race, I just couldn't resist. I was in, Seahawks themed medal was really all they had to say! The T-shirt provided to all the runners was simple but nice. Just a gray short sleeve shirt with the Seahawks logo on it, totally worth it though.

This race took place in Downtown Seattle and it started in front of the Centurylink field and finished inside the stadium. The course was easy, pretty much a there and back course, with a little deviation coming back to the Stadium. Since it was a 5K race, they let us pick up our race packet the day of the race, so I decided to pick up my packet in the morning. Thankfully traffic wasn't bad and they had reserved parking for the runners at the stadium, which made it a whole lot easier, parking in downtown Seattle sucks. I had enough time to pick up my race packet and drop everything but my bib off at my car and then it was time to get to the starting line. Blitz was there and the Seahawks band was playing, so much fun!

I was hoping to finish in under 30 minutes, and my final chip time was 27:28:86, needless to say, I was happy with the results. Maybe next time I can shoot for under 25 minutes? Doable? With some training I think so.

Hope to see you there in 2015!!! Go Hawks, RePete!!!

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Seattle Hot Chocolate 15K race!!!

I finally had a chance to run the Seattle Hot Chocolate 15K race! I'd been looking at this race last year, but by the time I was ready to commit, it was already sold out, so I made sure to sign up early this year. There was a bonus for the Seattle race for the first time, all finishers received a super cool finishers medal.

 Since I was laid off last November I've been looking for more opportunities to volunteer, I chose to help them out during the first expo day as a goodie bag distributer. My shift was for 4 hours and I had such a great time, it really made me miss interacting with people. It also gave me an opportunity to pick up my bag at the same time.

Everybody who volunteered were super nice, most of them were going to run the 5K or the 15K. My job was to stuff the map into the goodie bag and hand them out to each bib holder. This year, the hoodies were made out of cotton and they ran true to size. The guys hoodies were grey with green piping and the women's were grey with pink piping. I had registered during a promo, so I also received a blue running hat.

Race day started out a bit stressful as it was a nightmare trying to get to Seattle Center where the race started. I should have known as the same thing happened to me before the Seattle Marathon in 2013. There were so many street closures, all the racers trying to get off the freeway and hard to find parking. I just paid the $15, which gave me just enough time to use the bathroom and head into my corral. I literally made it as my corral was already walking to the starting line.

The course was pretty easy, there was a little uphill at the very end as you make your way back to Seattle Center. We started out running past Pikes Market, then headed towards downtown, there was a stretch were we ran across a bridge and back again. Overall I would say that the course was pretty and the candy stations were amazing. I missed the chocolate chip station somehow, that was supposed to have been the first one, then came the strawberry marshmallows, that was my favorite, then Tootsie Rolls and finally chocolate marshmallows. Lots of water and Gatorade of course.



The best part was the goodie bowl that was given to all the finishers, I headed there straight after I received my medal. The bowl was filled with a hot coco cup in the middle and the sides had a chocolate fondue and wafers, marshmallow and other goodies to dip in. Yum!

Photo from www.hotchocolate15k.com

I would highly recommend this race for everyone, just keep in mind is that the 5K finishers did not receive a medal, I wouldn't want anyone to be disappointed, its a great race nevertheless.


Happy running!

K

My heart is hurting...

I'm not one to show my feelings much, but when my grandfather passed away recently I've been wanting to talk to somebody and I thought maybe you guys will listen and be kind to me as I pour my heart and soul to you. I wrote this to him and it still makes me cry every time I think of him. He was the greatest person I know and I miss him every day.

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3/25/15

Dear Grandpa,

Its been a little over a month since you left me, but it feels like a lifetime, or even an eternity.

You would give the shirt off you back, or even the last of your food, you have done a lot in your life for everyone’s good.

When you find Grandma, please tell her "I love you”.  Married for 50 year, I could only hope that same fait for me too.

I cry myself to sleep every night since you passed away, and I pray to God that you never forget me.

I know your memories came back when you touched His hand, and now you can sing with the Angel band.

Are there gardens in Heaven for you to grow, you love to harvest your food, as we all know.

My Mom misses you so much in her heart; it’s so hard for her to be apart.

You left behind so many people, some friends, some family; all of those people can no longer live happily.

And as tears flow down my face, I will dedicate to you, my next race.

They say, time heals all wounds, but whoever said this should not be signing those tunes.

I look at your pictures, so I always remember the happiness that you were, you will always be in my heart, right in here.

Meeting my son would have been my life’s purpose, unfortunately I made the wrong choices, so you never met us.

I cannot think of anything you ever did wrong, my son has been taking after you all along.

He knows you are kind to your core, I tell him the stories of you that will never bore.

Wild strawberries and village swings, remind me of spending summers with you, as together we’d sing.

The accordion was your instrument of choice, and now I will have it forever to rejoice.

Working since your were 16 years old in the oil shale mines, has shown me that it's rare to find people your kind.

I can still remember you working night shifts, being able to spend time with you was a gift.

This is my way to give you praise, and to find my piece, I will never forget all the amazing times, and the feasts.

You will forever be with me, no matter where my life will take me.

I don’t know what the future will bring, but I hope to meet you at Heaven’s west wing.

I will be there when Heaven opens its door yet again, until then my memories of you will remain.

I hope to carry on your good name, and not use His name in vain.

Until we meet again…