The countdown continues ….only eight days until Hood to Coast and ten days until birthday number 66.  For me, Route 66 has been a long journey.  The real Route 66 highway extends from Chicago to Santa Monica, covering 2,448 miles.  There was initially some controversy involving the naming of this highway.  The number “60” was the original intent, but the designers eventually agreed that the number “66” in numerology is considered a master number, bringing material pleasure and success.  I can only hope that my 66th year is also filled with success and pleasure.  I was mostly familiar with the TV show that ran on CBS from 1960-1964.  It starred Martin Milner, George Maharis, and Glenn Corbett. The distinctive Route 66 instrumental theme song was composed by Nelson Riddle to avoid paying royalties for the Bobby Troup song,  “(Get Your Kicks on Route 66).  Will I get my kicks from year 66?

It would take me a little over two and a half years to run Route 66 at my normal daily workout level.  That’s an average of about 17.5 miles a week.  With the recent training for Hood to Coast, my weekly miles have increased to nearly 40, so I could run from Chicago to Los Angeles in about 61 weeks.  I think I’ll pass!  I plan to taper off to about 12 total miles next week until next Friday’s 7 mile leg.  I’m pretty sore from today’s 9 mile run, that I had actually planned to be 10.  If I decide to go on from this relay challenge to run a half-marathon, I will definitely need to plan a 10+ mile course.   There are too many hills in my neighborhood, so it gets a bit boring to repeat the flatter areas over and over again.  Hopefully, the flat waterfront area in Seattle will provide some new scenery and inspiration this weekend. (See Post #213).

We’ll visit my former boss to see his new Seattle radio station, see the Terracotta Warrior exhibit, and enjoy an outdoor concert featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  It’s about as far from Route 66 as you can get!