Merry Christmas from Phil Spencer

Happy holidays everyone. Just got back from a snappy little run in lovely Duluth. Wish you all could have been here to share it. 5 below
a/ 25mph wind. I could barely see past the ice buildup on my eyes.
Makes for tasty snotsicles though. I'll bring some back for everyone!
Happy holidays!
Phil

Cathy Christian's Seattle 1/2 Marathon Race Report

Unbelievable is the one word that describes my day. The skies were clear, blue, and sunny, the air was crisp and I was in the company of friends. What better Sunday?

I was prepared. Had my camelback secure, my abs in, my shoulderblades down, and my torso up! I ran with Angela for the the first half of the race, and that was really terrific for me. We didn't talk much, but it was nice traveling with her. I took Shaun's advice and just absorbed it all - the sights, the people, the views of Seattle I had never seen before. Amazing how wide the Danskin bike path to I-90 looked!

I had three miles to go when I heard a constant honking. I turned around to see a motorcycle cop flashing his lights. I thought someone must be hurt, so I moved a bit to the right. He passed me, and then someone brushed my left shoulder - and I watched the first marathoner (the guy who won, obviously) just breeze past me, his heels kicking to his butt. Boy, did his backside look good after running 23 miles! I briefly thought of my own feeble trot, but I just kept on going!

I had a great day. The bottoms of my feet hurt tremendously, and I think it is because this is the second season with these shoes, and they are worn out. I still don't think that I'm good enough to use up a pair of shoes, but I think I just did. I had a minor meltdown in the middle of the recovery hall, when I couldn't find food or my clothes and I was cold and I hadn't seen anyone I knew yet. So I just stood there and cried for about 30 seconds. I felt better and wandered outside and heard Shaun yell. She got my clothes for me.

And I got a really cool medal, too!

Thanks for thinking I could do this, Friends, when I sure didn't think I could!

What a helluva year for me! For all of us!!!

Elizabeth McCarty's Seattle Half Ironman Report

I’m Halfway There!

Just another 13.1 miles to go and I'll be a marathon runner! I NEVER in a million years thought I'd say THAT! I finished the Seattle Half Marathon this morning at 10:30 a.m. - right about the time a lot of people were just getting up! I beat my goal time of 3 hours by a mere 4 minutes. I had to actually sprint (well sprint by MY definition) down the last mile in order to make my goal time. I shouldn't have really put a goal time for my first attempt at long distance running, but I knew that if I didn't, I'd walk at every opportunity. I DIDN'T WALK AT ALL!!!!!!!!! Not even up the numerous hills. The route was gorgeous! PErfect weather - sunny and chilly. When we exited I-90, you could see Lake Washington with a mysterious fog resting gently on the water. Then came the magnificent homes in the Denny Blaine neighborhood in Seattle. Ahhh....to dream! The best part was the run through the arboretum and Interlaken Park. It wasn't even like we were in a city any longer - just a tranquil forest.

This was perhaps one of the coolest things I've ever done - better than bungee jumping or rock climbing! I still love triathlon.....but may have to give a full marathon a shot??! Heck Yeah!
Thank you everyone for your support and well wishes! This was really FUN!

Elizabeth