....Thanks to some lunch get-togethers made possible by some VERY SPECIAL friends. So Calgary was suffocating under about a foot of snow and I could not wait to get the #%$@# outta there, and so excited to get to the warmer temps and greenery of the Seattle area. I arrived at the airport and was met by Divechief and we immediately drove the 2 1/2 hours to our hotel which was very close to the marathon race start. K, so where are my warmer temps and greenery? Marathon morning was unbeleivable, I have never seen such gigantic flakes of snow in my life! I met with the butterfly goddess, Mariposai, and was over-joyed to be able to keep up with her for the first 11 miles...she has this smooth, strong running gait...I've never felt so comfortable running with anybody, we seemed to just feed off eachothers positive energy. I slowed down to my more comfortable "put put" ultra gait, and just felt so grateful to be able to run and feel so good and strong and healthy, fortunate and blessed with so many loving friends and family on this birthday weekend. I finished feeling strong with a time of 4:49. For those who don't know me, I like to use marathons as aided training runs. My big goal race is a 100 miler at the end of August. After the race Divechief and I met at a restaurant for lunch with rasmussenmp and his beautiful wife, also Mariposai and her hubby, which I have to mention is such a sweet guy, and I love it how he goes and supports this special lady in everything she does. Divechief, (Dave), didn't run this race as he is still battling a foot injury, but was there for me, as he always is, with his constant love, support and encouragement. That night Dave and I had waaaaay too much fun bar-hopping and the next day, we were so happy to be able to meet Tetsujin and his special lady for a delicious birhday lunch at a fabulous restaurant on the waterfront. All in all...a really fun race and perfect weekend, thanks for reading... arf

It was so much fun sharing your birthday weekend with you, It was great to hang out with Mr. Mariposi while the two goddess were running, It was great to see Mike and Sue again, and I think I had as wonderful of a weekend as you did. And lunch with Tet was great. Dave

Always good to hear from you, arf. From the looks of the smilies and the report, you certainly enjoyed yourself, and that's what it's all about.

your flight plus driving over the snowy/frozen/icy Cascade passes, running through the snow, sleet, wind, hills, and finally sunshine plus all the birthday activities sound like good practice for anything the Big One can serve up too. ps - glad the photo of the piece of chocolate decadence birthday cake and ferry boat came out. (-now practice setting the date right tet>>)

Sounds like a great birthday weekend. A marathon as a "training run!?" Oh my gosh!

Arf, I really want to do that marathon someday, it sounds beautiful even with the sleet. Wait a minute, I've never even done a marathon, what am I talking about?? You and Dive look like you were really enjoying the weekend. Good Luck on your 100-miler, wow, I get tired just counting up to 30!

Arf, Congratulations on a great race (uh training run) and on celebrating your birthday in such fine company. You sound and look like you had a blast.Very happy for you and all the other boomers present. What a supportive group. Congratulations and you don't look a year over 30. Tall

Thanks for sharing your perfect weekend with us.