Miles 17-21

Mile 16 - Kristi Madden

Kristi- My favorite running neighbor! :) With all of your traveling-running adventures, there were several points on the course I thought of you. Running through these freeway tunnels was one of them. At two different points on the course, they went on for quite awhile. While it was kind of a unique and exciting experience at first. I admit it started to wear on me pretty quickly. I lost Garmin sattelites, so I had no idea where I was on the course once I emerged, and to be honest I would have rather been looking at the beautiful Seattle scenery than the inside of a free way tunnel echoing with loud band music, but it was all part of the adventure, so come what may! lol. Thanks for all of your support and friendship!

Mile 17 - Renegade Racer- Steve Lucas

'Thoughts of Endurance are strong enough to break down any wall'. I guess with my 7 hour marathons I offer you endurance for this mile. Don't be ashamed to walk, just keep moving forward, recharging your mind with the reason you are out there. I know you will do great!!!! - Steve Lucas

Steve- I can't thank you enough for your incredible generosity to support this race. You are definitely a great example of inspiration to keep moving forward regardless of what challenging circumstances might stand in your way. Thank you again and again!!!

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Mile 18 - Gerard Bischof, Steve Lucas

Gerard- Given all the adventures we've been through in the last 3 years, it's still hard to believe we just both happened to end up in Seattle on this same weekend. It was so incredible to have you there and part of my Seattle marathon memories. I knew you were tracking my progress throughout the day, so I thought of you often, as especially every time I crossed a timing mat. :) You are the best, KG. Thank you!!

Mile 19 - Tamara Adamson

Tamara- Having you sponsor mile 19 was the perfect lead in to my cupcake mile 20! I was definitely feeling the fatigue at this point, so I just tried to imagine you running with me and immediately felt better. This happened to be another very lonely part of the course, inaccessible to spectators for the most part. So the thought of your smiling face and never ending optimism was a welcome gift at this point. Thank you!!!
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Mile 20 - "The Cupcake Mile" Debbie Van Winkle

Deb- In reality, mile 20 was another lonely one- although I could hardly tell. Inspired by you, I knew my parents had cupcakes waiting for me on the course, and were hoping to meet me as close to this point as they could, but it would be awhile yet before I'd see them. But it didn't matter- just seeing the mile 20 sign immediately brought back a flood of memories from White Rock and what a special experience you made that race for me. I know I keep telling you, but it is so true! I will NEVER forget it!! Thank you so much for being an incredible supporter, and an incredible friend!
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Mile 21 - Kent & Gail Mortensen

'Don’t run with your legs, run with your heart. - Keep on truckin Ann Marie! We love you!!!!' - Kent & Gail Mortensen

Here we were- mile 21 at last, the infamous "hit the wall" mile. I wouldn't say I really felt bad at this point, but I'll be honest, after 21 miles I wasn't all bouncy and full of smiles either. The lonely course was wearing on me, and my feet were past the point of hurting. It's always funny to see what unflattering photos will be snapped of you on race day. I swear those professional photographers intentionally pick the most difficult parts of the course just to catch you looking your worst. Here's one example- certainly not likely to end up on the cover of the next issue of Runner's World- lol. Yep- I was TIRED!!

I can't thank you enough for all of your support, Mom & Dad! I love you both very much!

Half Way There

Mile 12 - Andrea & Mason Convey, Steve Lucas

Just prior to the half way point, the full marathon course traversed on an out and back segment of an interstate bridge which had incredible views of Seattle, but for some reason took a lot more out of me than I would have anticipated for that distance. Once we hit the turn around point I realized why. We had been running on a very gradual uphill for a mile or two- and my pace suffered a bit. My parents were waiting to meet me here as the course passed through downtown, but weren't able to catch me with the pace change. Here are some pics of the downtown views during their wait:

Mile 13 - Roxanne Olvera & Greg Hall

“Just think…. This is much less painful and much more fun than sitting in a hospital passing kidney stones! On a serious note, by Mile 13, the real race begins. All your friends and family believe in you. Feel Susan's spirit run with you, step by step. Peace be the journey.” -- Greg & Roxanne Haha! Very accurate reminder of some of the circumstances under which I missed last year's Seattle marathon. At mile 13 I was feeling great- which was especially an accomplishment because this was my first marathon that I was running without the assistance of major steroids and medications to keep my health issues in check. To call this a big deal is an incredible understatement given all I'd been through with doctors and hospitals in the last few years.

Thanks so much for your continued support and friendship, Greg & Roxanne. You are both such a special part of my life!

Mile 14 - Serena Lambiase

Serena- Thanks so much for being such a loyal supporter of my marathon fundraisers. You are quite an endurance inspiration to look up to! Thanks for helping to keep me running strong and happy. :)
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Mile 15 - Bruce & Janet Mortensen

Bruce & Janet- Of course none of these experience would be possible without all of the hard work and dedication you're putting in to changing lives through Susan's Foundation. Thank you again for allowing me to be part of this great endeavor! I love you both!

One of the sites we passed around mile 15- and had passed on the Duck Boat tour the day before- the Pink Elephant car wash, where reportedly Elvis himself brought his pink Cadillac on a number of occasions. And yes, I saw several running Elvi in this race- what marathon would be complete without them? :)

Miles 7-11

Mile 7 - JoAn & Eric Ellsworth

“Good luck on your run! And have fun!” - JoAn & Eric

Thanks so much, JoAn & Eric! Mile 7 is usually the point where I finally start warming up and feeling good. Fortunately, this day was no exception. Cruising right along... :-)
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Mile 8 - Victoria Neidell

Finally feeling warmed up and settled into my pace at this point. Thanks so much for your support, Victoria!!
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Mile 9 - Andrea & Mason Convey

Andrea & Mason- Thanks so much for your support of Susan's Foundation this year! Mile 9 was fantastic! Because of some challenges with this course layout, and the fact my supporters weren't familiar with the area- I wasn't sure when I'd see them. Mile 9 happened to be it!

This being the second marathon my parents have come to cheer me on, they were fairly well prepared for the challenges spectating can bring. Seattle was a very tough course in that much of it wasn't very accessible to supporters. Piece of evidence #1- the LONG flight of stairs my parents had to descend from their car just to make it to the course at mile 9.
And then the waiting game- hoping to pick me out successfully among the 26,000 other runners who would be coming by this point.

Thanks to some good planning on their part, they didn't have to wait long.
It was perfect timing and I was so glad to see them! They even surprised me with options of 2 treats... my new recent favorite of peanut butter (all-natural of course), and....CUPCAKES!!! Normally I would have disciplined myself to wait for mile 20 for the cupcake, but since I didn't know if I'd get to see them there, I thought I should treat myself early.

Ok- actually not that much rationalization went into that decision. Truth be told I was excited, feeling great, and caught up in the enthusiasm of the whole experience I saw a cupcake and dug in! I really only had the frosting at this point, I was kind of in a hurry- but it was a welcome treat!

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Mile 10- Terra McGhee & Dustin Brown, Lisa Mortensen

"Running marathons make cupcakes taste sweeter, beds feel softer, bubble baths seem warmer. In fact, every simple pleasure is enhanced by the effort. Enjoy lots of all three after your run!" - Terra McGhee

Thanks so much for your support and friendship in the last few months, Terra! You are just one of the many examples of great friends I've met through DRC and I'm so glad I've gotten to know you. You have been such a big support to me in my life lately! Thank you!!

Mile 11 - Kurt Cimino

Kurt- One of my oh so impressive triathlete friends!! I'm certain I will never aspire to your level of talent for all things endurance racing, but just the thought of you taking on all those workouts and distances is truly inspiring. I had a great time running mile 11...which is a prime number of course. :) Thanks so much for your support!

Miles 1-6

Mile 1 - Max & Denise Davis

Max & Denise- It's not hard to think of you both at any marathon start. There was so much excitement and energy in the air. It immediately made me think of your smiling faces which prevail even in the most challenging of circumstances. (I'll never forget the fun of that awful Trinity race a few years ago! lol). You are both such wonderful friends! Thank you both for your support and friendship!
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Mile 2 - Nelson & Kelly Prater

Thank you for your support, Nelson & Kelly- I was still getting warmed up at mile 2. Surrounded by crowds of enthusiastic runners, I enjoyed the pleasure of holding my pace and taking in all the excitement.
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Mile 3 - In memory of Evelyn Bierman

‘ The happy face stickers Grandma always put on her cards - decorating Christmas cookies at her house - playing "Spank the Berrybird" - most of all her wonderful hugs and unconditional love!’ – Gail Mortensen

It's never hard to imagine Grandma's smile and her arms stretched out for a big hug. I feel comforted by that image in any circumstances. This was especially nice at mile 3 because those early miles are not the most fun for me once the initial start line excitement wears off. It takes several more miles for me to get settled in my pace. But thinking of Grandma made all the difference!

Here I am crossing the very first timing mats at the 5k checkpoint. Every time I ran over one of these mats I said hello to everyone I knew was watching for text messages of my check ins. It definitely helped me to feel a little less lonely as the miles started adding up.
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Mile 4 - Debbie Van Winkle, Steve Lucas

“As you begin Mile 4, remember what a gift to have the ability to run, and the fortune to be running in Seattle! Enjoy. This picture is at the turn onto Seward from Cloverdale, and (I think) the very beginning of your Mile 4. This is where we would be if we could be there, so I wanted you to have that image in your head!" - Debbie & RalphDebbie & Ralph- You are so creative! I absolutely loved this picture! As I ran through these neighborhoods it was hard to identify this exact corner in all the crowds and excitement- but the fact I kept trying to look for it the whole mile kept me thinking of you! You guys are the best!! Thank you!

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Mile 5 - Jeremy & Melissa Goodman

Still rolling along at mile 5! Thanks so much for your continuing support, Jeremy & Melissa! At this point I still hadn't hit any big hills- and my race plan was going along right as scheduled.
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Mile 6 - Randy, Kelly, Erin, Mark, Calley & Matt Mortensen

My ever supportive Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins! I've told you before, but I will absolutely never forget all the support you gave me at my first marathon in Arizona! It meant so much to me you would all devote half of your Sunday to chasing me all over the course to cheer me on in all that chaos. Consequently I will remember it in every marathon I run, whether you are there or not! Thank you!! I love you all!!

4 Alarm Start Line Party

After three full marathon finishes for this fundraiser, my biggest anxiety about racing is still related to one blog post that's always a possibility..."Dear Sponsors, Thanks so much for your support! I don't know how to say this, but I overslept and missed the start. Oops!"

As part of my typical preventative measure, I set two alarm clocks in my hotel room, scheduled a wake up call with the front desk, and asked my parents to call and double check I hadn't missed all those. Fortunately, all alarms went off as scheduled. By 4am I had slept fairly well (considering), and got ready to head to the start line shuttles just a block or so from the hotel.

My thoughts on the bus ride to the start line? "Holy cow this is a long way!". The reality was setting in that I'd actually be running all the way back.

Start Line Village was typical chaos of bag check, bagels, bananas, port-a-potty lines, and LOTS of runners....just over 26,000 to be exact. The weather was perfect! Cloudy and low 50s. The racing gods had been good to us.

I've gotten to know Rock n Roll races well enough that I'm in no hurry to get to my assigned start corral. I was actually in the port-a-potty line when the starting gun went off. No worries- I was assigned to start so far back in the pack that it was a full 40 minutes later that my group actually started the race. Here's a pic from the start line. See how far back the runners go? That's not the end of the line, it rounds two more corners. So don't bother trying to zoom in to find me here. :-)I heard that at one point the half marathon course was packed full- while the winners were just finishing the half, slower runners were just crossing the start line. All that wait time must get boring, right? WRONG! It's a Rock and Roll race- the party starts before the race begins.... music, dj's, balloons, photographers, beach balls....

Here's the photo from the Seattle newspaper the following day:

By the time I really crossed the start line I was feeling great and ready to RUN!!!! 26.2 miles! Let's do this!!!

Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs

Helloooooo, Seattle!

Such a great city! We were immediately overwhelmed with all the options of what to see and do. One of the best things about that night was visiting my cousin Zach and his family, who have lived in Seattle for a few years now. They treated us to a superb pasta carb load dinner and an evening of entertainment from their extremely talented kiddos. My cousins and I were very close growing up, and it was so great to spend some time with them. Over dinner we also shared some great family memories, including some of Susan (Zach's sister), so it was a great way to remember and get focused on the the purpose for which this adventure began.
And just a few highlights of other touristy adventures:

Pike's Place Market
One of my favorite places! More fresh produce, flowers, food and quirky finds than could be explored in one day.

Pike's Place is probably most famous for the fish. More specifically, the throwing of the fish. It was an uncharacteristically sunny weekend by Seattle standards, and apparently even the fish were forced to adapt."8 pound sockeye!"

The good food options at the market were overwhemling. So at the suggestion of mile sponsor, Meredith- I tried out Beecher's Famous mac and cheese. Definitely the best I've ever had!!! Thanks, Meredith!!Other touristy fun included the Seattle Center, riding the monorail, Seattle City Center, and a Duck Boat tour that showed off some of Seattle's best views from both land and water. Here are just two...

Getting There & Expo

I woke up Thursday morning just before 4am. Another long run? Nope- this was the day to fly to Seattle!! As it turned out, I didn't need to wake up quite so early. I won't mention any businesses specifically, but we'll just say that a particular airport shuttle company was not quite so 'Super' on this day. Eventually they did show up and I make it just in time to board my flight.

I met my parents in Seattle (they'd flown in from AZ), and we decided to attend to race business first and head straight to the Expo.

First order of business.... the race number! 25211

Next order of business: Shop for marathon gear!!

And lastly, more shopping and endless collecting of free samples. My favorite was the free all natural peanut butter. Unfortunately the actual samples weren't actually in jars quite this big. Once we had explored and shopped till we dropped at the expo- we set out to discover Seattle.