Katie the 1/2 marathoner. Sounds good doesn't it! Has a nice ring to it. I drove over to Seattle to watch Katie complete a half marathon on June 25, 2011. She is in her runners pose here on the way to dinner Friday night.
Twist is where we went. Great food and a fun place. Of course we didn't stay long. Gotta get the pre-race rest!
Healthy food!
Water only to drink. Enjoying that Katie because you look like you are!
Back to Katie's apartment and the ritual begins. Getting race number out, checking out what is in the goodie back, setting clothes out, getting a bag ready for me to carry that has Katie's supplies for after the race.
AHHH! And don't forget the bag decorating. I think every 1/2 marathoner should do this.
Here is the start of the decorating!
Finished! Pretty nice Katie! I told her she should put I love my mom on there.
The Vanna pose with her bag!
4:30 ish A.M. and the alarm rang. This was it. The day of the Rock and Roll 1/2! Everything was set out and ready to go. Katie bounced out of bed (could be a slight exaggeration) and got ready to go. Final touch...the timing chip on her shoe!
Katie's sister Dawn was participating too. After this picture they took off to ride the shuttle to the start. Since I was certain to get lost driving around Seattle I just went to the finish line and watched for the girls. Lots of people finishing!
I waited to see Katie. The finish was right by the famous Safeco fieldl!
I was getting texts that told me where Katie was. I got a confusing one and thought she was done. So I went to try and find her but couldn't. There were a lot of people to sift through and she wasn't answering her cell phone.
Turned out she wasn't finished. Dawn figured out what happened with the texts and since she hadn't finished I hustled back to the finish line. No wonder she wasn't answering. Now... Katie is in this picture finishing. This is sort of a Where's Waldo? moment. Can you find her? Hint...she is on the left side of the photo and only part of her head is showing.
Where's Katie? She is in this one too. Look for the black headband! I didn't have the best position for taking pictures!
The finishers. They were both happy with their time and ran every step! So proud of both of them!
Someone told Katie that these temporary tattoos would make her faster so she slapped them on!
Dave, Dawn, Kris and Steve!
All the participants got a free beer after the race. They had to go to a tent and show the workers something on their race number. They got a small ticket and could go to the beer tent for their free beer. Katie dropped hers and couldn't find it. There was mild panic in the air!
There was some concern on Katie's part that the rest of us weren't taking this ticket issue seriously enough. She did find it only to give it away. Lines were way too long. We needed lunch!
Some tunes for the racers!
Kris, Dawn, Katie!
Dawn, Katie, and me!
Katie and her mom, Jackie. We all wanted our picture taken with the stars of the day!
Beautiful clock tower flanked by a giant beer bottle. Hmmm!
We finally made it to lunch and I snapped a picture of the medals. Nice! Katie got a call right before we walked into the restaurant. It was Kyle. Kyle, Kath, and Finn had a layover in Seattle. They were heading to Spokane to go to Glacier National Park with Stephen, Michel and gang. Kyle and family wanted to see Katie. Kyle, Kath and Finn came downtown and after we ate we headed to where they were. They did not know I was there.
So great to get to spend time with them. Finn is a handsome boy and getting so grown up!
Kath is expecting baby number two. She is one of those women who are extra beautiful when they are pregnant.
Kyle and Katie!
Mr. Finn. He was telling me all about when it was OK to cross the street and when it was not. Red hand means do not walk. So good to see the California Gleasons. I think Kyle and Katie called it serendipitous. I agree.
The reward for a hard days work. A shower and a beer! I am so proud of Katie. Every time I have trained for a big event I have had buddies to train with and help with motivation. Katie did it on her own. Impressive. So glad I didn't miss her crossing the finish line. A few tears Katie! You are fabulous!
Twist is where we went. Great food and a fun place. Of course we didn't stay long. Gotta get the pre-race rest!
Healthy food!
Water only to drink. Enjoying that Katie because you look like you are!
Back to Katie's apartment and the ritual begins. Getting race number out, checking out what is in the goodie back, setting clothes out, getting a bag ready for me to carry that has Katie's supplies for after the race.
AHHH! And don't forget the bag decorating. I think every 1/2 marathoner should do this. 
Here is the start of the decorating!
Finished! Pretty nice Katie! I told her she should put I love my mom on there. 
The Vanna pose with her bag!
4:30 ish A.M. and the alarm rang. This was it. The day of the Rock and Roll 1/2! Everything was set out and ready to go. Katie bounced out of bed (could be a slight exaggeration) and got ready to go. Final touch...the timing chip on her shoe!
Katie's sister Dawn was participating too. After this picture they took off to ride the shuttle to the start. Since I was certain to get lost driving around Seattle I just went to the finish line and watched for the girls. Lots of people finishing!
I waited to see Katie. The finish was right by the famous Safeco fieldl!
I was getting texts that told me where Katie was. I got a confusing one and thought she was done. So I went to try and find her but couldn't. There were a lot of people to sift through and she wasn't answering her cell phone.
Turned out she wasn't finished. Dawn figured out what happened with the texts and since she hadn't finished I hustled back to the finish line. No wonder she wasn't answering. Now... Katie is in this picture finishing. This is sort of a Where's Waldo? moment. Can you find her? Hint...she is on the left side of the photo and only part of her head is showing. 
Where's Katie? She is in this one too. Look for the black headband! I didn't have the best position for taking pictures!
The finishers. They were both happy with their time and ran every step! So proud of both of them!
Someone told Katie that these temporary tattoos would make her faster so she slapped them on!
Dave, Dawn, Kris and Steve!
All the participants got a free beer after the race. They had to go to a tent and show the workers something on their race number. They got a small ticket and could go to the beer tent for their free beer. Katie dropped hers and couldn't find it. There was mild panic in the air!
There was some concern on Katie's part that the rest of us weren't taking this ticket issue seriously enough. She did find it only to give it away. Lines were way too long. We needed lunch!
Some tunes for the racers!
Kris, Dawn, Katie!
Dawn, Katie, and me!
Katie and her mom, Jackie. We all wanted our picture taken with the stars of the day!
Beautiful clock tower flanked by a giant beer bottle. Hmmm!
We finally made it to lunch and I snapped a picture of the medals. Nice! Katie got a call right before we walked into the restaurant. It was Kyle. Kyle, Kath, and Finn had a layover in Seattle. They were heading to Spokane to go to Glacier National Park with Stephen, Michel and gang. Kyle and family wanted to see Katie. Kyle, Kath and Finn came downtown and after we ate we headed to where they were. They did not know I was there. 
So great to get to spend time with them. Finn is a handsome boy and getting so grown up!
Kath is expecting baby number two. She is one of those women who are extra beautiful when they are pregnant. 
Kyle and Katie! 
Mr. Finn. He was telling me all about when it was OK to cross the street and when it was not. Red hand means do not walk. So good to see the California Gleasons. I think Kyle and Katie called it serendipitous. I agree.
The reward for a hard days work. A shower and a beer! I am so proud of Katie. Every time I have trained for a big event I have had buddies to train with and help with motivation. Katie did it on her own. Impressive. So glad I didn't miss her crossing the finish line. A few tears Katie! You are fabulous!
