Running Event: AMICA INSURANCE SEATTLE MARATHON

Summary Note

Running event: AMICA INSURANCE SEATTLE MARATHON
Website: http://www.seattlemarathon.org/

Date: November 29, 2015

Distant: 42.195K
Package: T-shirt, medal, and a bag of junks
Cost: $150+

City: Seattle, WA, USA

Highlight: Boston Qualifier, serious running

Rating: 4/ 5 stars

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First time Marathon
After I prepared for months, I was ready. Tell you the truth, I was quite so much excite and not sure about my ability. Last year, I participated my first running event which was the Seattle marathon Santa VS Super hero 5K. That time, even if I walked more than ran, I felt so much fatigue. So, joining full marathon in one after my first running event, my sport ability seem so much advance.

(2015 Seattle) Finisher medal

The even that I selected to debut was AMICA Seattle Marathon 2015. It was the biggest marathon in Washington state. The reason why I applied this marathon because I lived there; I was a student in the university of Washington Seattle campus. I loved this city. If one day I will be a famous runner, I want to have the word "Seattle" in my biography.

Seattle was the second biggest city in the north west. Seattle was called rainy city. The temperature was stability; no difference between maximum and minimum.  There was almost 2,000 runners joined full marathon. This number was quite high comparing with other cities.

(2014 Seattle)

Application fee
Because I came from Thailand where the currency value was lower than the US, I found that the application fee was super expensive: almost $150. I was able to use the same amount of number sustain my life for a month in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. I also purchased finisher slave which was cost $40, so the total I paid was almost $200. The application fee included T-shirt (it was so much Ugly), BIB, and Bag of stuffs (most of stuffs inside were classified as junk). Sincerely, I feel bad about them. Lastly, if the runner finish the marathon in time, they get finisher medal. The medal was OK; I will show you after this. 

(2015 Seattle)

Source: http://www.seattlemarathon.org/amica-insurance-seattle-marathon/

However, after I compared the fee with major marathon event, the number was reasonable; for example, Los Angles marathon was $200.  Moreover, if the runner planed your running long enough and registered early, the price would be cheaper (they could pay only $90 if they resisted one year earlier). 

(2015 Seattle) Everything is ready!

Runners
It was 3 C- 5 C. I believed that it was classified as beautiful day for American; however, I was an Asian guy who born in the equator line, so it seem to be freeze even if I put on long sleeve shirt, trousers, and cap. Luckily, it was not rain, so the starting line was full of the runner 

Every people seem to be expert if you are new comer. This was my first marathon, I feel nervous and anxiety when I met other runners. I was panic that I might be the last one who arrived the finish-line.

Moreover, when the presenter ask the runner about their marathon experience, most of runner had ran more than one time. you know what I feel shocked what I heard that. I pretend to tell myself that "my competitor is only myself, do not focus on other".  Yes, I felt better (I am not sure) HA HA HA

Time to Start
Many people asked me how fast should we run. Sincerely, it depended on your objective. If you want to be the world champaign, you must finish your race around 2 hours, or if you want to qualify Boston marathon, you should arrive the finish-line in 3 hours (If you were me- a man whose age was 27). But if you want to finish Seattle marathon, you must finish it in 6 hours

Then, I planed to run as fast as I can during first 10 kilometer as 5.30 minuet per kilometer; after that I would slowdown to 6.30 minuet per kilometer; then I would run and walk during 20th kilometer to 30th kilometer; and I would walk in last 10 kilometer. I expected that I would finished my first marathon around 5 hours faster than cut off time (6 hours). So, at the beginning, I planned to follow pacer 3.30 hour! 

"3", "2", "1" and when all the runner heart "0", they ran!  

(2015 Seattle) 

Photo: http://isc01.gradimages.com/

The course of Seattle marathon was simple; running around the City; starting from Space needle, Chinatown, the Mercer island (The Bill gate house has been there), the lake Washington loop and back to Space needle. 

(2014 Seattle)
Photo: http://www.seattlemarathon.org/amica-insurance-seattle-marathon/

For me, the highlight was the way to Mercer island because all runners must pass "floating bridge", the bridge which was not high from lake. and the wind was strong, my hands and my ears were no felling at all.

(2015 Seattle) Running on I-90 to Mercer Island

Photo: Source: http://cdn.tegna-tv.com

After the floating bridge, we passed the lake. There were mist and high heels. they were quite awesome views but for me I was so much tried and so much cold to indulge with them

Unexpected injure: Due to wearing a new shoe that I just brought two day before the race (Black Friday), I felt hurt my feet. In my opinion, it was not because the shoe was bad; it might because I was just not familiar with it. What ever reason, finally, I could not run anymore. Pacers were coming again and agian: 3.30 hours, 4.00 hours and finally 4.30 hours. Tell you the truth, I wanna cry. I prepared for months but finally I injured.  I told myself repeatedly "Let's them go, focus on yourself".

Finish line
Last 5K was such a hell. It was very difficult even to walk due to deplete energy and injure. However, I still moved: sometime walked, in order to arrive the finish line. I tried to cheer up myself such as listened to the music and called my girl. 

Unfortunately, when I called my girl, she was playing PC game, The Sim. She asked me to by her a game whether I want to talk to her. it was around $30. YES I MUST OK :) HA HA HA. KILL THE HILL: there was a high hill before the finish line. I talked to her when I ran through it and finally I came to the finish line. I COULD DO IT

(2014 Seattle) Finisher

5.15 hour was my time. My feeling when I passed finish-line was very difficult to explain.  I felt super happy (I finished my first marathon) as well as worry (I have to start the process from zero again to attain the second marathon). In general, I was pound of myself.
My lags and feet were hurt, so after this I must stop running for a while.

(2015 Seattle) I am so proud!

Special Thank
my girl, Salinee, who cheered me up in last 5K

(2015 Seattle) Special Thank!