Training for the Danskin – My second, third, fourth and fifth 5k

Feeling pretty good after the UW Bothell 5k we signed up for the Furry 5k benefiting the Seattle Animal Shelter.  I had heard that it was a good route and that it was flat.  On race day I found out that was untrue.  The course is mostly flat with one killer hill between mile 2 and 3.  I nearly made it to the top but had to walk about 20 yards because I thought I was going to puke.  I managed to keep everything down and finished the race at 36:47, a whole 2 minutes and 2 seconds faster than the UW Bothell run.  And I got to see lots of dogs at the event which is always fun.

Next up:  the Run With Cops, Not From Them at Marymoor Park.  We checked in to get our t-shirts and race bibs and for some reason they didn’t have my packet assembled and I ended up with a Large t-shirt that went promptly into my sleepwear drawer.  There were lots of police officers milling about including a SWAT team giving tours of their SWAT vehicle.  During the race they all ran in formation.  The course was flat except for a tiny incline to a foot bridge.  There were only about 200 runners so it wasn’t as crowded as the Furry 5k.  We headed out and I was feeling pretty good.  The only issue I had was where the hell was the water?  Apparently the water station was tucked away off the trail and you had to really look for it and since I was trying too hard not to pass out I totally missed it.  I finished pretty strong and had my best time yet at 33:44.

On July 4th we wake up early and head out to Carnation for the Run for Pies 5k.  When we arrive it’s already 80 degrees.  Good lord.  The route is flat and mostly on the road though there is a patch of dirt on a hill that we have to go up.  We run through part of Remlinger Farms and down some dike through some trees and then back into town.  I was way overheated and wished I carried a water bottle.  I muster up a strong finish but my final time is 35:01.  My finish line photo shows my belly hanging out from under my t-shirt.

My first evening 5k is the clusterf*ck known as the Seafair Torchlight Run.  Something like 6,000 runners in the evening and it’s about 180 degrees and humid.  We take off past both stadiums and back up to the north bound lanes of the viaduct.  I thought the turnaround would never come.  Then on the way back I get a whiff of Ivar’s or some fish place on the waterfront and instantly want to hurl.  Normally I’d not have that reaction but did I mention how hot it was?  Again, I got way overheated and wanted to die and my time reflected that: a dismal 38:35.

At some point I rejoin Weight Watchers.  I’m a lifetime member since 2001, having lost somewhere in the range of 45-55lbs.  I decided that running with a jiggly belly didn’t feel all that good so I signed back up with a friend.  We go to meetings every Saturday morning (when it doesn’t conflict with a race) and in 9 weeks I’ve lost just over 8lbs.