Runless in Seattle

I've been in Seattle since last Friday for work. Seattle is the site of this year's trade show for the orthodontic industry. Our team was fortunate enough to pull off the launch of our newest product, so I was lucky to get to attend. Being on your feet in a trade show booth isn't all that glamorous but I was just very happy to be in Seattle.

I really love the Pacific Northwest. I've mentioned before that I've always thought I would want to live there. Last year when I ran the SEAFAIR marathon in Bellevue, I fulfilled my wife's requirement that we at least visit before I pack up my belongings like the Beverly Hillbilly's.

As much as I disliked the idea, the trip offered the perfect respite from running. Whenever I travel I really look forward to finding somewhere to run. It is required planning for any trip I make. But to help whatever is wrong with my foot heal up a little, I was committed to not running while I was gone. I didn't even bring my shoes or my gear so that I wouldn't be tempted. I wasn't exactly sure how eight hour days standing around the booth would effect the foot, but I wasn't going to run.

Surprisingly my feet have been tired, as expected, but the pain in my arch has subsided considerably. The rest from running combined with the anti-inflammatory seem to be working quite nicely. It has been a mental challenge to not run. It seems that everyday I've seen at least one of the sales reps on their way out for a run. I even found out after I got here that the trade association conducts a 5K fun run complete with race bibs and t-shirt. This year's event was held at Myrtle Edward Park on Elliot Bay. Under normal circumstances I would have for sure taken part in this event. Instead I slept in Sunday morning.

I have gotten out to some good eats in downtown Seattle. I've had lunch at Virginia Inn, a small laid back bistro, and at Purple Cafe and Wine Bar, a hip wine bar (no wine was drunk since we had to return to the show floor). We've had dinner at Palace Kitchen, a fresh PNW grill. Quite by accident we also had drinks at the Dalia Lounge followed by Pizza at Seriously Pie, all restaurants under the same management. Tonight we are having dinner at a much acclaimed and anticipated, Wild Ginger. I sure hope it lives up to the expectations.

The unfortunate effect of no running, standing at a booth all day and a food tour of Seattle is an expansion of the waistline. Moderation doesn't come easy. I'll be back home Tuesday evening and am scheduled to see the doc on Wednesday. So far things look good. I will stay the course at least until next Monday.

A huge congratulations go out to two of my favorite Canadian bloggers, Mark and Robb for completing to very colorful marathons, the Red Deer Marathon and the Blue Nose Marathon. Mark celebrated his return to the marathon and Robb ran his first.