My Better Half 10k 2026

I wasn't going to run this race this year...it was too early to be my birthday race, and therefore it felt skippable. But photos of the shirt and medal changed my mind, and I quickly decided I could tack a couple miles onto the 10k and get a good, final long run out of it. 

I'm so glad I did.

February 8, 2026

After a week of tired legs, I scrapped my Friday run and replaced it with a strength workout. I spent Saturday going back and forth on my plan for race day: I was definitely doing a warmup run to add some miles, but should I do one or two? Should I race the 10k, or just treat it like a long run? And what should I wear for a long run around a lake in 44°?

Every year I wear tights and every year I overheat, but I never seem to learn my lesson. I ended up not even taking a flat!Ali picture because I couldn't make a decision until race morning.

I got up at 6:15am after a night of crappy sleep. I had an espresso with milk, took an Imodium, got dressed, and made my way down to Seward Park. My plan was to arrive by 7:15am so I could run two miles without being pressed for time.

Morning views of Rainier were...cloudy.

I planned this part perfectly. I parked by 7:05, which gave me plenty of time to make sure I had everything I needed before walking to the venue, where I used the bathroom, got a picture of the mountain, and then started my warmup. In my shorts and long sleeves, I didn't even feel that cold.

At some point, I decided to run out a mile before turning around. I've never been a warmup before the race type of runner, but I wasn't the only one out there doing it. When I get into long distances, it does take me 20-30 minutes to feel good, and by the end of my warmup I felt loose and warm. I took off my gloves and got in line to use the porto-potties again, with ten minutes before the gun.

Mid-warmup.

I didn't want to run an entire 10k with my gloves creating bulk in my shorts pocket, so I asked a group of girls behind me in line if they'd put them in the back pocket of my running vest.

They enthusiastically agreed, then told me they had noticed my vest, shirt, and shoes, and loved how coordinated I looked. I thanked them and mentioned that my shoes were on-theme for my desert-sunrise half next weekend. I mentioned it was for my 40th birthday, to which the girls asked, "40?! What fountain of youth have you been drinking from?"

As I opened the door to my porto-potty, I told them, "Running!"

Find me!

That little conversation boosted my mood even more and set me up for a good run. After using the bathroom, I tossed my gum, ate a UCAN gel, and messaged Elizabeth. Then I lined up at the start.

In the first half mile, a lot of people passed me. I kept my eyes off my watch and tried to just run true to what felt good. Having run this race so many times, I was ready for the hill at mile .5, and I was surprised by how easily I weathered it, considering I haven't been training hills during this cycle. I told myself I could slow down, and probably should, since this was a long run and not a race, but my legs just kept pumping and I let them go.

The 10k runners have to tackle a second hill right after the first, and I ran that one too. (In fact, I ran the entire race without stopping except for an 18-second walk break while I drank some Nuun later on.)  It seems like the harder the conditions, the more I lean into speed. Maybe I just want to get it over with.

I finished the first lap around Seward Park feeling pretty good. When my watch showed 4 miles (meaning I was 6 miles in), I started to flag. I hadn't brought a Maurten gel with me, so all I had for energy was my water bottle with Nuun. At mile 4.6 (6.6) I took that walk/water break, and then kept on going.

My one walk break.

A lady who I'd noticed at the start of the race (before she passed me and disappeared) appeared at my side around around mile 5 (7). I kept her in my sights, but wasn't trying to race her. I was tired, and was developing some discomfort in my left hip. Despite having pushed the pace up to this point, I was still telling myself I wasn't racing this race.

The photographers did me dirty this year. My feet are cutoff in every pic and they didn't even get one photo of me crossing the finish line.

But when we passed the "tunnel of love" and had less than half a mile to go, I cranked it up and overtook her. And I sprinted my way through the parking lot, around the last couple turns, down the finishing chute, and through the finish line. I barely felt winded after.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the time on my watch. How had I managed to hold a pace in the 9:20s with two extra miles on my legs? This race validated my training cycle and provided a much-needed confidence boost as I entered my final week before my birthday half. I was feeling doubtful after a hard 5-miler earlier in the week, and this race wiped that doubt away.

I am trained. I am ready.

I couldn't have asked for a better race/long run. I placed 10/35 in my age group with a chip time of 57:59, which is less than a minute off my PR. For me, that's damn good—when you consider this was part of an 8-miler, it's damn great.

Not bad for my last run of my 30s.

I am feeling more excited than ever for The Lost Dutchman next week!

Ali