2022... WTH? (with a laugh)

2022 is flying by, but I've been fairly busy. Too busy to update this dang blog, but fear not! So The Carmel Marathon was in April (yes, I'm that far behind). It was a cold one and snowed from mile 7-11, but that builds character right? It was one of those runs that I knew would be a bigger struggle than your typical 26.2 miles. But let's face it, they are all a unique challenge. After the first 5 miles I knew a PR was not in the cards and the best thing was to keep pushing and lean into the wind. No PR and even 15 minutes off my pace from last year, but I totally accepted that. Not upset because I gave it my all and wonderful company of other runners. 

So next up was Seattle and the 'Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon' on June 12th. With this run I had very high expectations, a PR... and maybe that BQ I've been chasing. This marathon had several cool features, but the standout was the 2.4 mile run through the mountain via an old train tunnel. Feeling the temps drop by 20 degrees and seeing your breath in the beam of your headlamp was pretty awesome. 

The scenery was amazing too, the main challenge was the rain the night before and it being a crushed rock course. But hey, like I said they are all unique. I took off hard and slammed out a 7:06/mile average until mile 17, and then my body had other plans. at mile 20 I knew I was in trouble, and at mile 21 knew a BQ was not happening... my  best possible outcome was a PR, and I'd struggle for that. When I hit that last flat patch my gut told me the finish line was near so I pushed HARD. The end result was a PR and an education on what experienced, and what I need to do next.  As I've been doing these marathons, the medals come home for Pirate Cat, as I will continue to do so.  Up next, marathon 23!