Album: Bellingham Bay Marathon 2009 (31 images)

I ran the half-marathon portion of the Bellingham Bay Marathon, starting and ending in downtown Bellingham with a course traveling through several neighborhoods and along the bay. My parents served as intrepid photographers and support crew. I finished in 1:44:33, a 7:59 pace and a new personal record (barely). I was 128th out of 1039 overall, 12/36 in my division, and 92/317 among the men.

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We gathered at the Depot Market in downtown Bellingham just after dawn. This was the start/finish line, and also about mile 9. I really like the logo for the race. Me pre-race. Mom and me. Dad and me. And my gatorade and banana. Pre-race stretching. The starting area, still empty. You can just see me on the far right, still stretching. Talking to Dad before the starting area filled up. Waiting for the starting horn. The frontrunners. Well, standers at this point. I always like how the 'serious' runners reach for their watches right when they start. The rest of us get going. Still a few watch-people. I'm in there somewhere. It's like playing 'where's Waldo?' I can find myself in this one. I didn't realize Dad was over here with a camera, so I'm smiling at Mom (out of picture on the right). If this yellow-shirted guy weren't in the way you could see my back. Coming back into Downtown just before mile 9. We're all squinting because we're running directly into the low-hanging sun. Plenty of energy for a smile and wave. That lady on my right looks quite angry. If I wasn't blinded, running uphill, and going around a corner I'd probably have waved more here. Continuing along. It looks like I'm strolling here, maybe I should try a longer stride. Mom waiting happily at the finish line. Dad looking for me. Made it! I really put on the speed for the last quarter mile, and probably passed the other people a block back. Slowing down. I like that my hair is all swept back from my amazing speed. Hydrating and trying to keep loose. Watching more people finish. Finally got out of most of my sweaty clothes and got some food. I discovered after the race that a toenail had bored a hole in one of my toes. It didn't hurt much, but soaked my sock and shoe with blood. Eeewwww. My trophy wall at home. This race is the medal on the right with the orange ribbon.
Copyright © 2012 David Seater