Sweet Home Alabama – marathon #22.  Super psyched to be part of Montgomery’s 1^st FULL marathon.

Didn’t sleep well nite before – sometimes for whatever reason, you just wake up not feeling it.  Unfortunately, one of those days – gotta suck it up, pull up my big boy pants & post a result.  Can’t finish what you don’t start.

Arrived early, welcomed with drizzle & warm temps.  Pop, ran heavy for 4 miles, then tagged a local running group racing the Half, throwing 8 minute miles.  Chatted 30-45 minutes, nice folks.  Big hill at mile 10 & they were gone.

First 12 miles were gorgeous – old historical buildings, Alabama’s Capitol Dome, ran thru 2 campuses (Alabama State & Huntingdon).

Entered Maxwell AFB at mile 14.  Shirt drenched from miles of drizzle & high humidity – struggled to wipe my face, salt burned my eyes. LOVED the first mile, support from servicemen & their families – and the planes.  Double liked the planes.  Miles 15-23 however, not so much.  Sun, dusty airfields, nothing scenic.  Concentration loss.  Ran loops within the AFB – felt trapped for hours.  Both 4 & 4:15 hour pace groups caught & passed me.  Rough day, ran dehydrated.

Off Base, re-entered downtown, regained some form.  Last hill – top of mile 25.  Volunteers assured all downhill now (thanks).  Half-mile to go, circled Riverwalk Stadium & ran thru the infield to the Finish.

UGGGGH-LY but I snagged another medal.  Shook the Mayor’s hand (that was kinda cool), walked 20-30 feet more, then dropped to the ground.  Sucked down two bottles of water & laid in the sun.  Tough day.

Montgomery Marathon

Place   Bib                               Finish Time

132       2075    K R Haga        4:38:33

It’s only March – gotta make peace with da heat.

Heading home, licking my wounds, then it’s Jersey shore baby – next race in 2 weeks.