Monday, May 21, 2007

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.

16 comments:

Wes said...

You continue to show us dogged determination in all things :-)

Randy - Maniac #788 said...

Darrell I hope your doctor visit on Wednesday goes well and you are back in your running shoes soon. It's no fun sitting on the side lines.

Sarah said...

Glad to hear the foot is feeling better. Enjoy the rest of your stay in lovely Seattle! : )

Backofpack said...

Darrell,
We were just in Edmonds (just north of Seattle) for a memorial service today, and stopped at a shop in Greenlake this evening. Had we known you were there we could've met for coffee! I'm glad you are enjoying the city and that your foot is healing. I know it's hard to sit it out, but good for you for doing so!

Jessica DeLine said...

Glad your foot is doing better! I like your Seattle tips. Feel free to send me more. I'm going to be there in about 3 weeks for a week of training...

Anne said...

Now that's the way to recover -- guilt-free.

Ryan said...

Sorry to read about the foot issue, keeping yourself busy really helps. Take care & I wish you HAPPY FEET!

Legs and Wings said...

My friend, thanks for the plug. I would love to live in Seattle. I enjoyed several visits to that city while living in Vancouver. It's a great town with a real cool feel.

By now you've likely been to see the doctor. I trust you get a clean bill of health. Take care...and thanks again for inspiring me to run a full marathon.

Joe said...

Ahhh, yes, trade shows. Hope it went well for your cool clips, Darrell. I have told a number of folks about them.

Hope your Dr. appt went well today (Wednesday)...and the inflammatory stays fully "anti."

So, whats the plan for the half on Monday??

Journey to a Centum said...

Thank goodness you weren't "Eatless in Seattle"

Hope the foot has a speedy recovery. You showed great restraint not running that 5K. Too bad you had to do the booth duty. That's really tough on your feet. Hopefully your booth had the coveted double padded carpet.

Time to hit the pool for some water running dude.

Mike said...

Darn feet eh Darrell?! I'm still having issues with mine as well. You mentioned your arch bothering you? My podiatrist recommends NEVER going barefoot. On his recommendation I got some crocs and keep them right by my bed so I can slip them on first thing and my foot/arch is always supported. It definitely helps...just my .02cents but if it's your arch, get them supported 100% of the time!!
I agree on the Pac NW- it is awesome! ;-)

Jenny, Maniac #401 said...

Sorry we all missed you while you were so close. But we would have broken you down into running with us (probably). Glad you enjoyed your visit, it is beautiful.
Jenny

Unknown said...

Darrell, You really must inform us when you are in the area. We promise we won't try to be a bad influence on you and force you to run. We like eating just as much as we do running. I hope your foot is feeling better with the rest.

Randy - Maniac #788 said...

So how did the rest of the week go in Seattle Darrell, we are anxious.

~nattie~ said...

i too, love the area. i've yet to run on the olympic peninsula, just because it is so gorgeous. the secret to not having the urge to run is to keep really busy, i guess... so busy that you wouldn't have time to run even if you could... wait, there's no such thing! there's always time to run... good luck on the half!

David said...

The questions we all want answered is whether you raced this weekend.