Album: Seattle Marathon 2009 (31 images)

I ran my first full marathon in the Seattle Marathon 2009, finishing 1446th overall (out of 2223) in 4:31:31, only a minute and a half longer than I had been aiming for. I was 1027/1442 men and 160/216 in my division (men 25 - 29). I think it turned out very well, largely due to my parent's role as an excellent support crew (with honorable mentions going to Gatorade, Gu Chomps, and Tylenol).

Click a picture to see a larger view.
Brian and me on the way back to the hotel after the Expo the night before the race. Beautiful view of the Space Needle from the hotel. The Pacific Science Center arches are purple and gold for the Husky win in the Apple Cup earlier in the evening. Getting ready to line up for the start. Not sure what Brian and Mom were both distracted by. Me amongst the crowd at the start. Still waiting. And we're off! Though we onyl got to jog about 50 feet before we had to walk again due to congestion. Some of the multitude of volunteers under the start banner. Dad cheering at mile 10.5. Hey, it's me! Every time I see a picture of me running I think my stride looks weird. No time to stop, I need to keep up with all these people! It's a good thing Dad brought camping chairs, they had a 45 minute wait here for me to come back. Pulling over for a pit stop at mile 15. I'd been running nonstop for a bit over two and a half hours at this point. Still able to smile. :) Mom is a great cheerleader! Gupling some Tylenol. Relaxing for a minute before heading off again. Just two more hours and 11 miles to go! Making sure none of the Gu Chomps had fallen out of my pocket. A view of the course from above. We ran past here, down to and around that spit of land across the water (Seward Park), and then back for miles 10.5 - 15. Mom cheering just past mile 21, in the midst of the hilly section. Yep, needed more Tylenol. My knees and hips had been aching since mile 18 despite the earlier dose at mile 15. Mom actually ran around the corner just to get pictures and cheer some more. I just noticed the Physical Therapy and Massage signs in the building window, maybe I should have stopped longer. Gosh, I'm so fast! Coming in to the finish! The clock on the right is the relevant one, the left is for the half marathon. Getting my (gold!) medal and trying not to trip on that bump. A happy wave once I saw my parents. It felt so good to stop running. Dad and me at the finish. I had grabbed the largest bottle of water I could find. The three of us with a Seattle icon. Space Needle and Space Blanket. Getting some much-needed food in the Victory Recovery Area.
Copyright © 2012 David Seater