Captain Jack's Treasure Run 12k

Last weekend, Nick and I ran what will probably be my last race of 2025: Captain Jack's Treasure Run. This was the race Nick signed up for six hours after we finished the Orca Half because he "wanted that stupid beautiful medal" that runners get after participating in three Orca races in a calendar year.

I would say that after this race, he absolutely earned it.

I knew days ahead of the race that it was going to be a rainy one. We'd had hail, strong winds, and rain throughout the week leading up to it. But despite knowing the weather was going to be bad, I failed to plan ahead. This was mostly due to that fact that I've been in a weird mindset since the half where anything shorter than 10 miles feels like it's not worth getting worked up about. I did make sure to get my long runs done, including an excellent 7 miler during which I didn't take even one walk break, but I didn't stress myself out with training.

So, while I considered bringing water and fuel, 12k (7.5 miles) didn't seem long enough to warrant it. I debated what to wear, and considered that my last two rainy races over the summer were 10 degrees warmer. Last minute, I decided to wear my rain coat and tights, which was a good choice. And that was where my logistical planning ended.

Nick picked me up around 8:45am and we made the 30 minute drive to Redmond. The race venue was at the city hall, and we were able to park in the garage nearby. We use the porta potties and then took refuge against the building under an awning while we marveled at the people who showed up in costume despite the rain.

At 10:10, the first wave of 12k runners took off. We didn't realize there were waves; I think a change in the 5k course due to a downed tree was the cause. The 5k runners weren't originally going to be on our route, but because of the tree blocking their path, they were sharing it, which meant the route was very crowded. Splitting the 12k into two waves was an attempt to spread out of the runners.

This race had a 5k, 8k, and 12k, and Nick and I made comments throughout that we would opt for a shorter option next year—not because the course wasn't nice, but because we were so cold and so very wet.

Anyway, we started at 10:12, and my shoes were already wet well before we got to the start line. There was no point trying to avoid puddles. The course was a simple out-and-back along the wide, paved Sammamish River Trail. If it hadn't been so gray out, it would have been a gorgeous run. We did get to enjoy some gorgeous fall colors, though!

My calves felt pretty tired early on, and I knew it was because of my waterlogged shoes adding some extra weight and loosening the laces. I told Nick I could make it to the halfway point before needing to fix them, and that was our first little break, stopping just long enough around mile 3.7 for me to take off my gloves and retie my shoes.

The rain was in our face after the turn-around. I had warmed up a bit and unzipped my jacket, but I got cold again and now I was cold. Nick was gliding along like nothing was wrong, but I was struggling. Around 5.5 I requested our first real walk break, although we kept it pretty brief. We didn't have a time goal and we'd managed a good pace in the first half anyway, so I didn't mind taking a break.

But being so thoroughly soaked through in cold weather for so long was taking its toll, and I realized I should have brought fuel and water after all. I'd had breakfast at 7:45, but it wasn't enough.

We walked again around 6.8, because I thought we had one mile left to go—Nick had convinced me that a 12k was 7.7 miles, not 7.4. We kept that one short as well, and I told Nick I could run the rest, but probably not very fast.

But then, very shortly after passing the 7 mile marker, I could see the cones that indicated we were nearly to the finish. I was surprised and relieved. I told Nick, "Let's see what we've got left," and tried to find it in myself to sprint to the finish.

I carried both our phones in the pockets of my tights...and you can tell.

Despite this being a mentally and physically challenging race from the word go, I managed a 3-minute PR from my last 12k, which was a virtual race, but a race nonetheless. As this was Nick's first 12k, he also earned a PR, and you better believe we both rang that bell!

Nick also got his fancy R-Pod medal.

I'm pretty proud of us for showing up for this race and giving it the best we could in the circumstances. I won't say it was a triumphant one to end the year on necessarily, but it definitely gave me a sense of finality. After this race, I'm ready to take a couple months off racing (but not running) until my birthday race is upon me.

Ali