My Profile

@seattlebiker

Graham, WA Raving since 2022 Active 3 months, 2 weeks ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):
  • Rave race:
  • Race that's calling my name:
  • I run because:

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (3)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Half Marathon Orting, WA Nov 27, 2022 2:34:20
12K Kirkland, WA Dec 11, 2022 1:38:59
5K Seattle, WA Feb 14, 2016 31:34

Future Races (17)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
Half Marathon North Rim, AZ TBD
25K Concrete, WA TBD
Half Marathon St Charles, ID TBD
Half Marathon Laketown, UT TBD
Half Marathon Cokeville, WY TBD
Half Marathon Bryce Canyon, UT TBD
Half Marathon Boise, ID TBD
Half Marathon North Bend, WA TBD
Half Marathon Page, AZ TBD
Half Marathon Leavenworth, WA TBD
Half Marathon Idaho Falls, ID TBD
Half Marathon Puyallup, WA TBD
Half Marathon Carnation, WA TBD
Half Marathon St. George, UT TBD
Half Marathon Las Vegas, NV TBD
Half Marathon Springdale, UT TBD
Half Marathon Apple Valley, UT TBD

Past Races (29)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Half Marathon Hood River, OR Oct 22, 2023
Half Marathon Moab, UT Oct 7, 2023
Half Marathon Ashford, WA Jul 15, 2023
5K Ashford, WA Jul 14, 2023
Marathon Olympia, WA May 21, 2023
Half Marathon Long Beach, WA May 14, 2023
5K Long Beach, WA May 12, 2023
Half Marathon Everett, WA May 7, 2023
Half Marathon Tacoma, WA Mar 11, 2023 2:34:33
Half Marathon DuPont, WA Mar 4, 2023 2:59:03
Half Marathon Seattle, WA Feb 12, 2023 3:03:45
12K Kirkland, WA Dec 11, 2022 1:38:59
Half Marathon Orting, WA Nov 27, 2022 2:34:20
Half Marathon Seattle, WA Nov 27, 2022 2:45:43
5K Tacoma, WA Nov 24, 2022 35:48
Half Marathon Kirkland, WA Nov 5, 2022 2:37:12
Half Marathon Snohomish, WA Oct 16, 2022 2:37:07
Half Marathon Gig Harbor, WA Sep 11, 2022 2:35:26
Half Marathon West Yellowstone, MT Jun 11, 2022 3:02:34
Half Marathon Wilson, WY Jun 4, 2022 3:01:48
Half Marathon Orting, WA Apr 2, 2022 2:41:15
Half Marathon Gig Harbor, WA 2022 2:38:43
Half Marathon Buckley, WA 2022 2:53:03
Half Marathon Snoqualmie Pass, WA Sep 19, 2021 3:01:25
Half Marathon Ashford, WA Jul 17, 2021 3:02:30
5K Seattle, WA Feb 14, 2016 31:34
Half Marathon Nassau, Bahamas Jan 17, 2016 3:18:06
Half Marathon Tacoma, WA Dec 12, 2015 2:50:39
Half Marathon Orting, WA Apr 5, 2015 3:25:00

My Raves

Love the start and finish views of Mount Rainier and Lake Washington. The views along Lake Washington, getting peak views of the Olympic Mountains and local scenery. My friend and … MORE

Love the start and finish views of Mount Rainier and Lake Washington. The views along Lake Washington, getting peak views of the Olympic Mountains and local scenery. My friend and I were both dealing with knee issues so the old root pushed up trail/sidewalk areas were a bit challenging. The hill inside the park during the first loop isn’t too horrible and easily walkable. I’d like to see them push traffic going up on the left side and going down on the right so everyone going down can easily make a left onto the loop trail again. This will help minimize congestion and crossing traffic especially as the fast runners are coming down when the bulk of all race distance participants go up. The Tunnel of Love was a fun portion of the run! Orca Running always does such a great job with their races and good quality shirts and the medal was so adorable!!

DIFFICULTY
2
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4
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5
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Fun to do an easier out and back along the river with other festively dressed runners, potential of Mt. Rainier sightings along with bald eagles and other critters. I did … MORE

Fun to do an easier out and back along the river with other festively dressed runners, potential of Mt. Rainier sightings along with bald eagles and other critters. I did this the day after the Seattle Marathon, as a half, as my first back to back half-marathon. I took the Seattle a little slower not knowing how I would feel and I actually PR’d this race! Also, this event is part of the Seattle quadzuki & quadzilla run which I want to do. The aid stations are always well stocked and volunteers that are happy to see you and help with anything. It’s low key but fun! This year a tree fell right over the trail, right before I got to that area (and right before the finish), and it still didn’t slow me down. It didn’t rain while I was out there so that was nice – just cold and crisp.

DIFFICULTY
2
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5
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3
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Run starts and ends at scenic Juanita Beach Park with beautiful water views throughout the course and beautiful fall leaves coloring the route. The climbs away from the water aren’t … MORE

Run starts and ends at scenic Juanita Beach Park with beautiful water views throughout the course and beautiful fall leaves coloring the route. The climbs away from the water aren’t too bad, along with a lot of flat easy trails and then you get to enjoy the hills to come back down! Fun route and I took the time to kiss a frog! 😘🐸 I was only a couple minutes off from my PR which occurred with an equivalent elevation gain run so I felt good about that.

There was a huge “winter” atmospheric river storm the day before that took out power and brought down limbs. Getting to the course start, from the freeway, was dark. The park had no lights but everyone had enough lights to help us check-in which was great. They were well organized and had enough volunteers, aid stations and products, port a potties, etc.. My only suggestion is move the trash bins off the grass so runners can maintain dry feet before the race. 🙂 it was fun to see all the participants enjoying the park and playing volleyball, etc. after the run.

DIFFICULTY
3
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5
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3
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3
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This was the final race for the Grand Quad race with a 5K and Half-Marathon in the Grand Tetons and the 5K and Half-Marathon at West Yellowstone. The start & … MORE

This was the final race for the Grand Quad race with a 5K and Half-Marathon in the Grand Tetons and the 5K and Half-Marathon at West Yellowstone. The start & finish line was perfect as it was located in the same place with minimal logistics and easily accessible from our Madison Campground site. It was nice to have parking right there to easily get dropped off and picked up. I already had my bib from the Grand Tetons but we still did the expo so I could purchase a few items and look at the vendors. We drove around, with another racer and her husband, to find the Buffalo statues in town before the 5K which was fun. It was a great venue and town for both races. The 5K had very hot weather and the half-marathon Saturday morning was overcast and perfect. It started to drizzle right after I finished.

We had been exploring Yellowstone since Sunday after the Grand Tetons run to enjoy all the sights. The Yellowstone course was beautiful and challenging! Not as scenic as the Grand Tetons but I enjoyed being in the woods and run next to the river at times. I kept my eyes open for moose and bear but didn’t see any. The trail description was right on par and delivered the challenge promised! Some of the trail followed a crushed gravel trail while the rest was snowmobile/ATV trails. Additionally, they had a backhoe and other equipment cleanup and work on the trail. It made for a more challenging trail with all the ruts, mud, broken trees/branches and such. My knee acted up at mile 4 causing me to walk fast for a great portion of miles 5-7 with the hill and mud though it was a great break. My knee was ready to take on some running but then the rocks and tree branches resulted in a lot of ankle twisting steps that I had to face the fact I would not be under 3 hours finish time in order to not injure myself. I was disappointed but accepting it. The whole way I kept thinking it’s all good, I’m going to finish stronger and feel proud of my accomplishment and my time due to the challenging course and my knee. I had trained on some trails but not as rut and rock filled as this route. Definitely will be more prepared for future “trail” races.

While running, I focused on the experience and sense of success for my accomplishments. I received the email, when I had reception within the park (which was limited in many places) regarding the Grand Tetons Double Moose medals shortage. I felt grateful I received mine. I read that there was going to be another “200” short for the Double Bison and the Grizzly Double. I kept looking forward to celebrating my Grand Quad challenge completed and to get a medal since I knew I wasn’t going to be one of the last 200 runners. I pushed running and fast walking to finish and crossed the finish line, took a selfie and a runner let me know the double medals already were not available. I felt a bit deflated realizing my hard work would not be 100% celebrated at the end. I was grateful to get the Grand Quad medal but disappointed about the Double Bison and Grizzly Double. I texted a runner I had met during the Grand Tetons shuttle bus from the finish to the start. She got them and offered to let me take photos with them so I could get a post-race photo. It was such a nice offer! I met her at her accommodations and we took a few photos. I received an email early the next week to ensure they had my information correct from the finish line to send the medals. Their medals are amazing! The Yellowstone one had the 150th Anniversary banner which is special. The Quad and Double medals had spinners with the relevant runs for the Grand Tetons 5K and Half-Marathon (Double Moose), Yellowstone 5K and Half-Marathon (Double Bison), Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Half-Marathons (Grizzly Double) and Grand Quad both parks 5K and Half-Marathons displayed.

I was introduced to VR by a friend that recommended I sign-up for Mt. Rainier since we live within an hour away. I saw the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone medals and scenery photos from 2021 participants and wanted to experience the races! VR does a great job with their races from promoting, communications, organizing logistics and pre-race details, expo, announcements, during race aid stations, finish line logistics of meals handed to you in a National Park branded box full of snacks, chocolate milk and bananas, receiving your medals, vendors and race merchandise and the big National Park run series signs for photo ops. I’d highly recommend their races and look forward to doing more!

We were able to enjoy the park for one final day having driven around the entire park several times. I was also able to take some photos in the park with my medals and run into other racers and congratulate them. I met the friendliest people on these races and enjoyed the experience! Wearing your medals and/or shorts post-race really connects you in such a big park. We drove up to LaMar Valley and headed back to camp with winds up to 40 mph and pouring rain producing rivers of water in the ditches and loosening rocks on Dunraven Pass. We camped one last night in Madison Campground before we packed up Sunday morning and explored West Yellowstone again before heading home. We drove all the way home mostly in torrential rain all the way but grateful once we got home. We were especially grateful that we made it out of the park right before the flooding and closure of the park. We hope everyone made it out and home safe!

DIFFICULTY
4
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4
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Great course & support. They provided a 5K this year plus camping which was nice. The 5K course was a great route with not too much elevation and mostly paved … MORE

Great course & support. They provided a 5K this year plus camping which was nice. The 5K course was a great route with not too much elevation and mostly paved road heading out of Ashford on the Hwy and then on a quiet side road back to Ashford and finishing at the beautiful small Ashford County Park. The Half-Marathon course definitely has some ups, downs, paved and gravel road but nothing too difficult nor that trail shoes are required. I used road shoes (both last year and this year) and it was fine. The hill around mile 6 is a slow, steady and long but I’m able to quickly walk it and make up speed on the downhill. The finish line was at the park which was nice to know where based on the 5K.

VR does a great job with expo, swag, recovery meals and so on. Very pleased with another run with them. 2021 was my first ever VR run and I was hooked and signed up for more!

I’m local but it was nice to not have to drive back and forth or worry about lodging. Camping was in a field and no view of Mt. Rainier but it made start/finish logistics easy for both races. This is in comparison to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone where we traveled to campsites in the parks.

I love seeing the mountain every day I can and I looked forward to it being out for tourists but she was hiding behind some clouds on the course. This is typical and later in the day she showed up – majestically! The cloud cover made for a very cool run and it warmed up quite a bit afterwards!

Definitely plan to go into the park or drive around the area for more views of Mt. Rainier. Sometimes if you get above the clouds at Paradise or Sunset she will show up more than at lower elevations. It’s hit and miss but often later in the day you’ll get beautiful views and won’t be disappointed.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5
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