Seattle Ghost Marathon

Some of the Y Runners

What a beautiful day, and beautiful course. We had some clouds and some sun, it was cold and at times a bit breezy, but no rain. The course took us on a double loop - first around the point of Seward Park, then along Lake Washington, right along the lake's edge, under beautiful trees, past fancy houses, through the Leschi area and back. Absolutely gorgeous!

Rick and Jenny showed up at our house at 6:00 am. We piled in the car and drove straight to Starbucks, where Rick ordered drip coffee - ten minutes later, after they brewed it, he finally got his coffee. Then we drove right back to our house to pick up the Garmin that somebody forgot. The ride up to Seattle went by quickly and we pulled into the park just as Linda and Rich pulled in. Lisa pulled in next, and Margaret G. It was really cold, but I pulled my long pants off anyway. I knew it would get warmer as the day went on, and I would be too warm in them. We walked the half mile to the start line and checked in. Rick would be spending his day here, manning the aid station.

We chatted with other runners, froze a bit, said hello to Margaret B., then gathered for the start. A few of us were taking some flak for wearing shorts and skirts, but it didn't bother us...you know, tough-hardcore- princess types can deal with a little harassment. This race is low-key, cheap and fun. No bibs and the official clock was the RD's phone. He gave us a shout to start and we were off. We ran back to the park and around the point, always within sight of the water. Out of the park, and along the lake, where we saw two beavers! One was swimming with a stick in his mouth, and the other was just sitting in the shallow water right below us. We ran back through the start/finish and aid station. Rick had coke waiting for me and pretzels out. Jenny went with her usual iron-stomach fare - pink-frosting cookies, mini Payday bars and potato chips. I don't know how she does it! The aid stations were ultra style - sandwiches, pretzels, chips, candy, oranges and more. I love, love, love real food in a race!


A few of the racers


The start

We ran out along the water, moving along quite well, using a 5/1 run/walk. We saw some of the early starters, and eventually, everyone else on the loop. Under the I90 bridge - which I somehow missed running under on the way out, making Jenny laugh that I missed it. My excuse is we were under it when we saw Eric and the stars in my eyes from seeing him made me miss the fact that we were under the bridge. (You are buying that, right?)


Speedy husband


Y Runners


Y Runners

We ran to the next aid station, quick break, then about a half-mile out to the turn around and we were on our way back. Back at the start/finish, Rick and the RD told us the course was short. We thought we'd just go with the flow and live with it. On the second loop, we decided to take a gravel single-track right on the edge of the water - it felt nice and soft on tired legs. It seems as though the path was about a mile long. We ran up to the aid station and she told us she thought she'd had her last customer, so had packed up and left, then saw us running and came back - very sweet. The aid station was the back of a pickup truck. We were in dead last, which was no surprise in a group of PNW ultra and marathon runners. We took the single-track on the way back too.


Coming in to the finish, but not quite done

Those of you who know me probably won't be surprised to find out that I could not "go with the flow". I told Jenny that I had to run 26.2 or I wouldn't be able to add it to my marathon count, or post to the blog. We crossed the finish line, where all our friends were waiting, at just under 25 miles and announced that we were going to keep going. I don't think anyone was too surprised. As we ran out, we heard foot steps behind us - it was Eric. He had done the same thing - ran till he got a full 26.2, then he ran along with Jenny and I while we did it. We ran back to the park, circled a parking island and ran back to the finish. Everyone was still there and cheered us in.


Heading back out to get the final 1.2 miles

Our time was 5:39:08. We ran at a comfortable pace, using the 5/1 run/walk, had four potty breaks and stopped at each aid station. I was comfortable (okay, normal aches and pains, and normal giganto blood blister in the usual spot, but the toes survived!) and I did not have to go post-to-post at all. I think the 5/1 is helping as is the much cooler weather. I really enjoyed the run and would do it again in a heart beat.


The real finish at 26.2

We followed up with coffee at Starbucks, then when we got home, sent Riley out to pick up pizza and salad. I think that makes for a pretty good Saturday