It has been a long time since I posted anything here (and probably 2 1/2 marathons on my part, Mercer Island and Seattle’s 1/2 in 2008). This Mercer Island I sat out, but cheered on two of our running group to a weary finish I’ve posted photos of Stephen and Susie in the gallery.

A bunch of us are training for the Seattle 1/2 marathon again. Some of us are thinking of doing the “Other Seattle 1/2″ - paying for the Seattle 1/2 marathon, jumping on around where you enter at the I-90 express lanes, running the flat part of the course and geting off.

So far training has been going well. We’re not meeting as a group for weekday runs, but we are getting together on Saturday mornings. So far we’ve run (or some have walked part of these…)

• Burke GIlman trail starting at University Zoka north, approx 4-5 miles, coffee at Zoka after
• Burke GIlman trail starting at Gasworks park north, approx 5-6 miles, coffee at Essential Baking Company after
• Alki north and then east starting from Starbucks/Alki Bakery, approx 5-7 miles, coffee at Alki Bakery after
• Greenlake/Ravenna/70th Ave NE route  - starting at the north end of Greenlake for 5-6, coffee at Chocolati after
• Roanoake/Burke Gilman/Lake WA Bike Route/Madison/Lake WA Blvd/Interlaken, for 6.3 miles, coffee at Cafe Dharwin after
• Mercer Island loop, starting at the Mercer Island Park and ride, 7 miles and coffee at Tully’s after
• Alki beach south to Lincoln park for 8-9 miles, coffee at Alki Bakery after

Next week is going to be Leshi south to Seward park for 8-9 miles, coffee at Starbucks after.

Notice a pattern?

It’s been a while since I’ve written - but fear not, the Kitties have been active.

Susie made her goal of doing 4 1/2 marathons in one year: Phoenix, Seafair, Super Jock ‘n Jill, and the Seattle 1/2!  Kristen also did Seafair and the Seattle 1/2. I don’t recall who else did other 1/2 marathons…

Sharon, Jennifer and Brandy completed the Barb’s race 1/2 ironman! Amazing.

Lauren did 150 miles on the first day of the Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride. Elizabeth completed her first STP - and amazingly enough completed close to 130 miles on the first day.

Joan completed the Portland Marathon and Sylvia completed the NY Marathon. Yes, I said MARATHON.

Megan had cute little Madeline

But the greatest thing in my mind was coming back together to support Girls on the Run by doing the Diva Dash for the 3rd year in a row. Here are some photos from that REALLY cold morning. At least it didn’t snow until AFTER the race

Thanks once again to Susan (for hosting the post race comestibles) and to Richard, Michael and Paul for preparing said food.

Carlos is now an honorary Kitty - as he received a shirt when we arrived… Here are the photos from the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon… In attendance: Lauren, Ruben, Susie, Sandra and her friend Linda (from BC), Vickie, Megan, Carlos and Sharon.

Upshot: There were a LOT of people. 37,000 I think was the final count. Not counting spectators. The expo was just ok, it was kind of light on the swag and the shirts they give out, while colorful, aren’t performance shirts.

The run is well supported - drinks every 2 miles on the 2 separate routes. The route is really flat… although the garmins say about 1200 feet of elevation gain and 11000 ft of loss (net +100). The end is a madhouse - wayyy to many people.

So what’s next? I’ve heard noises about Whidbey, Vancouver, Seafair… triathlons… the Seattle To Portland bike ride. I think for now most of us will coast - 5 miles during the week, 1.5 hours on the weekend. And just having fun.

I’ve set up sending posts to this blog by email. Send me an email if you’d like to know how.

Some of the Phoenix bound group has already arrived, others are leaving today. The low on Sunday is supposed to be close to 35, the high should be around 55, which will be more like what we’re used to running in… More will be posted from the road…

From Sharon, for the Holidays

Susie, Jennifer and I were scheduled to run on Saturday morning. I received an email from Jennifer about 1am on Saturday and a voice mail from Susie on Friday around 10pm that they weren’t able to run. I received both of these messages on Saturday morning around 6:30am and was tempted to just crawl back into bed. But I figured since I was awake and it wasn’t raining outside, that I’d run. I decided to start the run from Seward Park; there weren’t a lot of runners when I started out, but I did see a few rowers and cyclists. I hit the 62:30 mark just past Madrona Park and on the run back more runners and walkers were out. I ran about 10-1/2 miles. Overall, it was a beautiful crisp morning. As much as I prefer running with you gals, it’s always good to do a long run by yourself once in awhile. I’m going to need to muster up my own self motivation in preparation for the 1/2 Ironman. So this was definitely a good “test.”

Twas the night before the run, when all through the house,
Not a runner was stirring, not even a mouse.
Their clothes were hung by their bed with care,
In hopes that OTHER RUNNERS soon would be there;
The runners were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Sports Beans danced in their heads;
And hubby in his pajamas, and I with my running hat,
Had just decided to go for a long winter’s run.

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays, Joy in 2007, and Happy Training!

12 minute miles
11 water bottles
10 miles jogging
9 percent grade
8 teen hundred feet (elevation gain)
7 th mile was walking
6 people working
5 miles an hour
4 neighborhoods of Seattle.
3 zones of heart rates
2 hours running
and a resulting really sore a**.

Well not really.

Here’s the cue sheet we put together.

Or you can check the map at gmap-pedometer.com.

Saturday, December 9. 24th Annual Christmas Rush Fun Run 5K & 10K*. Kent

Saturday, December 9, Street scramble at the market (2 hr option only, only open to 230 participants) - http://www.streetscramble.com/

Sunday, December 10. 22nd Annual Jingle Bell Run 5K*. Westlake Center, Seattle.

Sunday December 17, 2006 12Ks of Christmas, Kirkland WA.
Sunday December 17, 2006 Christmas Classic marathon, half marathon, 10miles, 10K, 5K and 1 mile. Olympia, WA

Saturday December 23, 2006 Santa dash marathon, half marathon, 10miles, 10K, 5K and 1 mile. Olympia, WA.

January 1, Road Runner Sports Resolution Run, Flat 5K run/walk with optional trip-n-drip polar bear dive into Lake Washington at the mile 3 mark. Finish line indoors with beer garden, food, and fun. (I think it’s at Magnusson Park)

(for those of you not doing Phoenix).
Saturday, January 13. Bridle Trails Winter Running Festival - 5 & 10 Miles & 50K. Bridle Trails State Park, Kirkland.

Same bat time…

We will start at Caffe Appassionato and run towards Myrtle Edwards park (and back). Some of will do 105 minutes, but the nice thing about this route is that it’s out and back. This route is also good if you want to walk or go less of a distance/time! Please think about coming even if you’re not training for a long distance run in the near future. I think we’re looking at possible showers, but the weather may not be that bad…