The day dawned with clear skies which meant no rain or mist. It was one of those perfect summer days with the temperature settling around 70 degrees. No one could have asked for a better day in Seattle to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll. And I was thrilled to be trying again to conquer this event.
Several days prior to the race, I spent a lot of time imagining my run, feeling the spring in my legs, and seeing myself cross the finish line. I had done this for the Portland Rock ‘n’ Roll so I figured it couldn’t hurt this time.
As always, we ladies who have trained on and off together over the years met up by the Space Needle. We laughed, hugged, and decided on what corral we would actually start in.
I decided to stay in my assigned corral along with Danielle Rosenow, Erica Hirschman Rintoul, and Selena 
Palamides MacLennan. The four of us started together but eventually Danielle and I settled into a comfortable pace.
This year was the first year that I run with someone almost the whole distance. Because of my injuries in the past, I had convinced my girlfriends to run on ahead as I didn’t want to be the downer on their run.
Besides running at the same pace, Danielle and I do a 9 minute run/1 minute walk. We managed to keep to this routine the majority of the run which allowed us to eat and drink during the 1 minute walk.
Nothing says more than this about what was going on inside of my brain than this:
“Running is nothing more than a series of arguments
between the part of your brain that wants to stop
and the part that wants to keep going.”
1<3 to run
The only difference was Danielle and I were able to verbalize this as both of us wanted to walk longer and longer than our 1 minute. We kept each other focused on our goals, reminding each other of our own goals, and urging each other on to meet that goal. Danielle’s goal was beat 2:55:00 and mine was under 3:00:00 with no injuries or mishaps.
As I was nearing the finish line at the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll, all that was going through my head was “I did it! I did it! I did it!” I started to get very emotionally (read that as tears gathering and trying to catch my breath). Then I realized that I had better concentrate or I’d be sobbing before I got to the finish line!
Danielle was able to shave off 7 minutes from her last half marathon and came in at 2:48:56. I run this one with a time of 2:48:11. Not a PR but I am well pleased with my time and running without any pains, aches, and more importantly, not injured. 
I can now say I have conquered the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll!
And no, I haven’t signed up for next year. My heart is set on San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Half, June 1, 2014!