Coming as the furthest race participant from Florida, I of course extended my stay in Washington to explore. The drive from Seattle was easy and there are several options to take tours off the route to Anacortes (Chateau St Michelle vineyard, Snoqualmie Falls, La Conner and Skagit Valley to name a few.)
Anacortes, a very small coastal shipping town had its own charm-Secret Cove for dining with a view, small shops on the main strip, the Ship Harbor Interpretive Trail where you can keep an eye out for wildlife on the water and land!
I stayed at a wonderful small cabin Airbnb on the hosts property overlooking the Salish sea with amazing sunsets, constant hummingbirds, and even a view of the Olympic mountains in the far distance!
This was just a few minutes from the Deception Pass State Park which was easily accessible for short trails down to different beaches with views of the infamous bridge. And of course the option to walk the actual bridge which one wouldn’t think is a big deal, but let just say, my adrenaline was pumping!
The Ferry to San Juan takes reservations for cars or you can walk on. I highly recommend renting a car to take to San Juan Island to explore the local farms and coast if it is off season (which the race was one week before in season started). Farms to visit include the alpaca farm, sheep farm, lavender farm, and of course the grape farm (vineyard!). And don’t forget to stop at Lime Kiln point to try and spot a whale where they frequent. Otherwise in the Summer a trolley circles around the island that you can buy a day pass for.
On the ferry I spotted a couple of other runners chatting. They told me to look out for them on course as they would be dressing up as bugs and a few of them running their first half marathon ever.
I stayed at Snug Harbor which I would recommend to get away from the hustle and bustle of Friday Harbor. It was very peaceful waterfront property with bonfires and even fireplace inside the cabin. They even offer free kayak and bike rentals.
The packet pick up was at a local pizzeria, with unfortunately, nothing more than handing over your shirt and bib, which could have been done at the start line as well. The place was too small for runners to hang out, so it was an early night for me and the fireplace, but not until I had my local seafood at a Tiki Bar in Washington!
The sun rises early in Washington, but the race starts late! I actually got to sleep in being on East coast time! Parking was easy at the fairground and we took a shuttle to the start, which Snug Harbor was a short 15minutes to. The bus driver was very informative of the island on our drive in. The shuttle unfortunately drove most of the course, which I always prefer as a surprise. We did get to see a fox on the way into the beach.
It was a simple start of the race with the steepest start line hill I have ever seen! I laughed it off and decided to use it as my walking warm up. The race was a point to point along the coast in the beginning, and thru mostly farm land the rest of the way and finishing at another beach. Me and the bug girls were consistently the same pace in the beginning but as my toe started hurting and I walked more, they passed me. They kept me entertained as they were enjoying each other company.
Each station had water and Gatorade to fill your own bottles. The last station had some candies as extra fuel. It was a very quiet race which most of it I was alone. No spectators, not even locals line the streets here! It was me and the birds chirping. I was a little worried at one point as I had not seen any patrols to make sure the runners were okay and my foot was really bothering me.
Ever since my Jones fracture on my left foot, my middle toe has gone numb and sometimes turns to pain. I blew it off for a couple years as I thought it was just healing/getting back in shape pain and it always stopped after I took my shoe off, or sometimes even just repositioning in my shoe. Well, this time the pain was excruciating at M10. I was scared I was breaking my foot. I even took my shoe off at M10 to see if walking barefoot would help but the road was too rocky. I pushed thru.
It was at M11 I burst into tears as I looked up and saw two of the bug girls that had already finished were running back for their friends still running. My heart exploded with that love and compassion of friendship but also because they motivated me as well. I finished those last couple miles mostly walking and shuffling as my run.
Then I burst out loud as I turned the last corner for the Finish Line to see it the steepest downhill of a Finish I had ever seen but my foot hurt so bad all I could do was walk it!
I threw off my shoes and the pain did calm down for the most part, but there was still something not right for the next week between my toe and ball of foot. I would visit a podiatrist when I returned home.
The weather stayed nice and cool(er), the sun behind the clouds, and even a bit of a misting at one point, and some wind, especially at the Finish. Hot pizza was served as well as lots of snacks. But no celebratory beer. Thankfully my new bug friends had champagne they shared!
The race later shared free pictures on course! The medal was nice and unique being handmade, shaped like the island and showing the race course. The shirt was okay, thankfully I visited the lighthouse that it showed, as we did not run passed it on course.
Later in town, I ran into other runners in which they invited me to hang out and wine and dine the rest of the evening! Out of 43 states, this group made my Washington experience among the top!
Friends come in all varieties. Some friends may only come and go for a few minutes of your life. You may not even remember their name. But that friend made such an impact you will never forget that moment. Some friends stick around for months or a season. They are there to get you through that chapter. Other friends are there for years. They have your back and you can always turn to them. They all have their reason and impact they make on your life. Life is all about learning from these people who show up even when you don’t even realize you need them the most.
Overall I would recommend San Juan island half marathon if you like small races. The experience of visiting Washington, taking the ferry over and seeing the island made the experience. Oh and the new friends!
State 43
13.1- 2:55
-Update on foot-Podiatrist confirmed I have a neuroma. Nonreversible. Cortizone shot given but it doesn’t seem that it has worked for *all* the pain. But Im not sure that is how its supposed to work anyways. We will see after State 44 South Dakota and another visit to podiatrist.