When Pigs Fly!

Pipkin doesn't get why Masher gets so excited to do things like running 13.1 miles, when you could travel in far better style, like on this fantastic flying pig, ready to take off just outside the Pacific Science Center in Seattle Center. (This pig is part of a series of bronze sculptures by Gloria Bornstein called Neototems Children's Garden. Be sure to weave your way through the garden to see octopus, blowfish, seahorses, hermit crab, and whale tails!)

Pipkin's trying to figure out which was more fun, turtleback riding through Boston, camel riding at Volunteer Park, or this flying pig through Seattle Center.

Judging from the smile on Pipkin's face, I think there is a clear winner.

Seacoast Half Marathon 2012 - Race Report

When Masher McBuns met his new friend Doddy Blue at the Wallis Sands Triathlon in September, he had no idea that they'd be meeting up again in Portsmouth to run the Seacoast Half Marathon. Masher's original running buddy had to drop out of the race last minute due to a last minute flu, so Masher asked his friend Blue if he wanted to race. He wasn't sure what Blue would say, but knew that he'd be in good shape to run if he didn't push for a PR. Blue had just run a half marathon 3 weeks ago, and had done a 9 miler a week earlier, so he was in good shape to run. He said yes!

The beautiful Seacoast Half Marathon course

It was Masher's ideal temperature for race day. Mid 40s to start, low 50s at the end, just cool enough to not overheat, but not so cold your ears fall off. The ocean breeze was light and not too hard even right on the coast. The skies were overcast so Masher didn't worry about baking in the sun. (Labbits do not like to be baked!!) The course is gorgeous, starting at the Portsmouth High School, heading out of town and then winding along the coastline for beautiful views and sea salty breezes. It's a well organized, wonderfully volunteer supported race and it usually sells out months before race day.

Masher and Blue split up before the start of the race. Blue's a faster runner, even on a casual day, and Masher had to make several stops in the bushes to pee before the race. His last pit stop caused him to race to the start line with only 30 seconds to spare! He cut it way too close, but was glad he made that last stop. It wasn't just a nervous pee...he would have been very uncomfortable running if he didn't stop one last time. Along the way, he met another labbit in the bushes, doing just the same thing! His name was Moritz and he was racing too! The two decided to run together.

Masher started out strong - a little too strong - to keep up with Moritz, who despite a longstanding pain in his right rear paw, was a fast runner. The first 3 miles went quickly as Masher and Moritz tried to catch up to the 9 minute mile pace group. The next 2 miles went by quickly too, but Masher started to feel he was pushing it too much. They made it to the halfway point in 58 minutes and some seconds, well on the right pace. But around mile 7, Masher's hind legs felt heavy like lead and he started to tire quickly. He grabbed a chocolate gu from the volunteers and downed some more water, but by mile 10 it clearly wasn't helping. His paced slowed a lot. At mile 11 he decided to try some Gatorade (which he hates) but it was too late in the game. His legs were in a lot of pain and he did everything he could to keep moving forward. He dug deep and focused hard on one hop at a time. He knew if he went to a casual loping pace, he wouldn't be able to bring it back to a hop to the finish. Moritz did his best to encourage his friend and boost him up but Masher was already giving 100%. In the end, Masher made it across the finish line with his running buddy, and that's a win.

He didn't meet his goal, which was an overly ambitious sub 2 hour time, considering all the short course run training he had done for this summer's triathlons. But there will be other races, and he'll be better trained and better prepared for the next 13.1. He's still happy with having completed the race even though it was a tough one. He remembered watching Kona 2012 and cheering on Rinny Carfrae to the finish. She was the favorite to win 1st place but came in 3rd, dealing with glute pain and missing out on nutrition on the bike. Masher remembered seeing her cross the finish line and collapsing into the catcher's arms. If the pros can have bad days, well, so can Masher. He learned he could still have a bad day and make it across the finish line.

Doddy Blue had a good race, and while he didn't shoot for a PR, he's happy with his time, and best of all, he happened to run into an old friend and they ran the race together. Blue also gets a kick out of having had the chance to do a half marathon in a whim, with less than 24 hours' notice.

The best part about racing is meeting up with your friends with your medals and getting some post-race recovery food. The three labbits met up at Agave Mexican Bistro in downtown Portsmouth to hang out and talk races. Masher got a custom made fresh lemon-lime seltzer from the bar, while Moritz and Doddy Blue decided to rehydrate with some tequila. They shared a freshly mashed bowl of guacamole and nacho chips before digging into their own meals. Mexican food after a race really hits the spot. Then it was next door to Byrne & Carlson for chocolate! All in all, a great day at the races for these fleet footed labbits. Way to go, runners!

Seacoast Half Marathon Results
Doddy Blue 
Total Time: 1:50:16
Pace: 8:25
Division Place: 56/141
Overall Place: 248/1094

Masher McBuns
Total Time: 2:11:14
Pace: 10:01
Division Place: 160/238
Overall Place: 749/1094

Moritz
Total Time: 2:11:14
Pace: 10:01
Division Place: 139/238
Overall Place: 750/1094

Labbit Travels: Gas Works Park, Seattle WA

Pipkin wanted to put a little distance between himself and the Fremont Troll, and since they were near Lake Union, he suggested visiting nearby Gas Works Park. He and Domo rode their bikes and arrived at a pretty spot that had once been the site of a coal gasification plant.

Since the plant stopped converting coal to gas in 1956, it was sold to the city of Seattle, the land redesigned as park space, and in 1975 it opened to the public. Some of the plant has been converted into a sheltered picnic area (remember, it is rainy in Seattle) and a large play area. There's also lots of green space, a hill built on a windy spot for kite flying, and a sundial at the top of the hill.

Despite its name and presence of heavy industrial machinery, Gas Works Park does not smell bad. Domo got Pipkin to take off the gas mask. Pipkin was wary at first, sniffing the air with caution, but Domo was right. It's nice up here!

Pipkin hopped up the hill to take in the views of Seattle. You can see the Fremont Troll's bridge to the west (but you can't see the Troll, phew!), downtown Seattle and Seattle Center to the south, and lots of boats out on Lake Union. At the top of the hill there's a sundial sculpture on the ground embedded with bronze, seashells, glass and rocks. When you stand in the center your shadow (if there's sun) will tell the time. Pipkin has a feeling it's about sunset.

From the top of the hill you can see the old gas plant. Certainly stands out against the city, doesn't it?

Pipkin got in a little evening meal before the sun went down. Quite tasty!

Before it got too dark, Domo pried his friend away from the grass so they could ride their bikes back home before dark. Definitely check out this unique park if you ever visit Seattle. Leave the gas mask, and bring a kite and some blankets for sitting on, instead!

The Troll Under the Bridge

Pipkin had a few days' break from Seattle's 8 legged freaks so Domo felt it was time they met the Fremont Troll. Domo promised Pip that the troll would not be interested in eating them, as they were just wee creatures and the troll had a taste for only the fattest of tourists.

They rode their bicycles to the north end of the George Washington Memorial Bridge, and sure enough, at North 36th St and Troll Avenue, they found the Fremont Troll. He's big. Very big. He must have eaten many fat tourists. Pipkin wasn't too keen on getting close.

Domo wanted to climb up to the troll to say hi, forge better monster-troll relations, and maybe take a closer look at his hubcap eyeball. Seemed like he was busy eating up the passengers of the VW Beetle he had in his hands so he wouldn't bother with a 5" labbit but Pipkin declined the meet and greet. This was close enough, thanks.

Domo found he could practically climb up the troll's nose! Pipkin didn't care. He just wanted to go. Seattle's full of scary things.

Go, Alice, Go!

Domo: Hut-hut!* 

Domo: I said, hut-hut!

Pipkin: I don't think she's listening.

The tortoise in Copley Square was much more cooperative.

*hut-hut is to the camel what giddy-up is to horses