Mad Dash to Bellingham

Bellingham 1/2 Marathon. Sunday, September 28.

Comedy of Errors getting to the starting line:
left my sister's place in Mt. Vernon later than planned.
5 minutes from her place, we got pulled over for a burnt-out headlight.
The Trooper was nice, and let us go pretty quickly after discovering Cory (who was driving) did not come back as quote "an axe murderer out of Kansas". (phew!)

Mapquest directions had us exit I-5 much earlier than necessary. So as we're winding our way through the backroads, we are realizing the race will start in 15 minutes.
We find our way to the starting point, I jump out of the car and race to pick up our packets while Cory and Carol find parking. We plan to meet in front of a large sign.

I can't find packet pick up, and no one seems to be able to tell me where it is. Phew...I find it after running in a few circles. I successfully grab our bib #'s, and timing chips (later to find out Carol's timing chip was not in her packet). But I'm still in my warm-up gear, am carrying my coat, and I have to use the bathroom in the WORST way.

I dash back to the meeting place. No sign of Carol or Cory. I run back to dump my gear at bag check. Think about going to the bathroom, but the line is literally 40 people long. I consider using the men's--even went inside, but all stalls were full. I run back to our meeting spot, and Cory is there, but no Carol. I give him Carol's pack to hand off, and then dash back to the restroom.
The announcer calls 2 min. to start.
The line isn't budging.
One minute to start.
Everyone scatters.
I slip into the stall, take care of business, and step into the starting line with 30 seconds to spare.
Still no sign of Carol.
Start gun goes off....and I glimpse Carol ahead close to the starting line. Glad to see she made it.

So rushed to get to the start, no time to even think about what I'm about to do.

The course was BEAUTIFUL. We wound through downtown, through suburban Bellingham, then through a lovely wooded park. Then we meandered down a long tree-lined boulevard and ended up in an industrial area for a brief period. Then back through downtown--to begin the 2nd half. 2nd half was hilly, but I was well prepared. We wound along Railroad Avenue rolling up and down, up and down, along until running through Old Fairhaven. Then down along the Interurban trail winding back to the finish line.

The weather was wonderful. Not a cloud in the sky. It was brisk--my arms tingled from the cold air, but great for running. It was fun being part of a larger race. I think there were close to 2000 runners. Hearing the clipping of feet along mostly silent streets, getting cheers from the crowd as we passed through populated areas.

I hit 'the wall' around mile 12, and slowed quite a bit, but ran through finishing in 2:13:49. (10:12 mile average). I felt great about my time, and time really seemed to suspend during the run.

We stayed and watched other finishers, and the first few marathon finishers, then moved on to Boundary Bay for victory beer and crowd watching.

Carol finished about 10 min. ahead of me. Next race goal--to keep pace with her! We're on the search for our next 1/2.