We drove the minivan straight through from Sacramento to Seattle in a record 13 hours through the night. Joaquin was a champion passenger as were my friend Mary Ellen's two girls, Malia and Annalise. Mary Ellen, Michelle (my good friend and running partner) and I took turns driving and stopped 2 or 3 times for gas and snacks and the kids slept right through it all.
We stayed at Mary Ellen's sister's house in North Seattle and were welcomed warmly by the family which included little Kaylin and Anika. Joaquin was surrounded by the girls all weekend.
The day before the race, Michelle and I toured Seattle. It is one of my favorite cities and it was a gorgeous sunny day. We went to Pike Place Market and the "Original" Starbuck's coffee house. Joaquin was thrilled with the sights and sounds of the busy city.
Race day was perfect as well. I felt prepared and ready for the run. Within the first 7 miles of the course, I saw two bald eagles on Lake Washington Boulevard. Amazing! At mile 20, Mary Ellen and Joaquin were waiting for me but I never saw them or heard them...I must have really been in the "zone". I feel terrible that I didn't see their smiling faces and I know it wasn't easy for them to get there either. Joaquin spent the rest of the day with Mary Ellen and her sister Suzie at the Seattle Children's Museum as I raced my way to Qwest Stadium for the finish of the 26.2 mile run. It was a perfect day and a perfect run for me.
The following day we packed up the minivan and headed home to Sacramento. It took us much longer going home after a stop in Portland for lunch and Ashland for dinner. But once again, our kids proved to be much better passengers then us adults and were absolute angels the whole way home.
It was a wonderful weekend filled with good friends, good food and great accomplishments!
I love how you wrote that post like it was just another ordinary day! You are such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThat first picture of Joaquin with all of those sweet girls is SO adorable!
that is awesome that you were able to make the trip to seattle and even more awesome that you did the marathon!!!!! congratulations! i don't know how you possibly made the trip home in the car the next day - my legs would have been KILLING me!!! hope you are not too sore by now :) way to go!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting on my blog! Your family is beautiful! Our little Justin is 14 months old. I look forward to keeping in touch with your blog!
ReplyDeletesounds like fun come visit
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great trip. Congrats on your successful run. I love Seattle, Portland AND Ashland. You really hit the beautiful places. And when you passed Mt. Shasta and saw "my" mountain, that's where we were from Thurs thru today. So beautiful. Hope to see you soon. Joaquin looks more mature since I saw him last!
ReplyDeleteWhat a huge achievement! Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are my heroine! Congrats on the marathon, and what a lucky little Joaquin to be surrounded by so many pretty girls!
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