Saturday was the 40th Annual Chuckanut Footrace. It is actually Washington's oldest footrace; a 7-mile jaunt from Marine Park to Larrabee State Park, following the Interurban Trail. Fairhaven Runners is the current planner and main sponsor, but it has changed hands a few times in its history, but has kept going continuously since its inception in 1967.The race began at 9 a.m., but I got to Fairhaven a bit before 8 to pick up my registration packet and chip timer. (This chip timer velcroed around the ankle, as opposed to tying onto the shoe, as in the marathon.) It was pretty cool down by the water that early in the morning, but the area was alive with other runners and spectators.
A really fun atmosphere.
When it was time to line up, and found the 10-minute mile pace sign. Pam Behee, a runner I know from church and who trained with TNT last fall, found me, and we ran about half the race together. It was really nice to run with someone for a change. (I ran ahead after she got a cramp and slowed to walk it out.) There were spots along the trail that felt really packed with runners, but of course, the farther along, the more spread out we all were.
I kept pretty good pace throughout the race, not pushing myself too much, but allowing myself to pass other runners or try to pace with some ahead of me. We didn't run through Arroyo Park -- it would be difficult with a crowd-- so went up California Street. I pushed myself to run up this beastly hill, and I have to say, I'm proud of how well I did. Many other people were walking, huffing, and puffing. (I was huffing, but not too badly.) I regained my breath and continued on the trail, and I could hear some people commenting about the hill, but I had to smile to myself about it. If you can run that, you can run about anything, I think. We followed the trail all the way to the end, at the Clayton Beach parking, then crossed Chuckanut Drive, ran north for about a block where we entered Larrabee State Park. There was a great Irish Infusion band playing, and a crowd of spectators. I finished in 1:09:54, keeping my 10-minute per mile pace.
There was a great post-race area set up with food goodies and music. Erin and Rob were with me, and we stayed for a few hours, relaxing in the sun and just enjoying the atmosphere of it all. For me it was about community more than a race, and I was part of a great community on Saturday. Not just of runners, but of supporters, too. I can't wait to do it again next year!
