Riverboat Series, Vienna IL

Published April 21, 2018

Last week Athens, this week Vienna – continuation of marathoning faux European capitals in the American Midwest.

THIS Saturday’s signup super last minute. Bought a crazy cheap flight on Southwest then found a marathon. Rental car, 2 hours+ drive, checked into ‘Hotel 7’ – the only motel in Vienna, quarter-mile from tomorrow’s Tunnel Hill trailhead start. BEST location!

Running Day 7 of Mainly Marathons’s Riverboat Series. Seven days folks been crisscrossing the Mississippi River, marathoning a different U.S. state every single day. Walk/jog social event. GREAT way for marathoners to tag a lotta US states on a travel Budget.

Ran back-to-back events 2 years ago – Saturday/Lamar CO, Sunday/Clayton NM: Mainly’s Dust Bowl Series. First marathon double, my first running injury (IT band). Older, wiser, train more consistently. I see doubles in my future [maybe 2019] as I add ultra distance.

Saturday morning bib pick-up, 6:30am start.

Who knew? More than 50% of the field took the early Start option. Live & learn. I’m a FAN of cool early morning temps. That said, MIGHTY lucky with the day’s weather. Saturday’s forecasted rainfest shifted to Sunday. Sweet!

14 laps today (plus a short loop to the Bridge). One of 4 who paid the extra $10 to complete a 50K 🙂 Haven’t run a multi-lap race since Runs with Scissors last April. While I dislike double-loop marathons, strangely don’t mind multi-lap events. LOVED being able to self-support with my own food & electrolytes. Run a lot lighter/carry a lot less knowing everything I need is a short 2-mile lap away.

Do’s & Don’ts speech, then followed Mainly’s lead runner ‘round the visitor center/parking lot to the trailhead Bridge. From there a straight out-n-back on crushed rock/dirt path. Not necessarily a ‘trail’ but not a road race either. Easy on the feet. FAAAANNNTASTIC! Settled into pace early. One of the flattest courses I’ve ever run. 4^th at the turnaround, 2^nd place end of Lap One.

Perfect weather, perfect conditions. Woke this day feeling: PERFECT.

Group of walkers blocked the path before the turnaround 2^nd lap . Right side thru the grass & didn’t look behind. I LED today’s run from that moment ‘til mile 18.9 (Garmin distance). Me, leading? 100% serious. Perspective: super small race, middle of nowhere America where most runners had previously marathon’d several days in a row. I show up Day 7, fresh as a daisy – but dang, LOVED running first. Runners yelling positives my way, felt good. I was the LEAD runner. Finished another lap, grabbed another rubber band.

7 bands on one wrist, 2:12 14 miles in. No drinking, no eating – I’m leading! Groups of social walkers again & again, GREAT people. Today’s eventual winner in my rear view. PLEASE PLEASE pass me – MUCH needed break – I was not built to win races. LOL>

Start of Lap 10 stopped, finally. Fueled up, lotta liquids – then hit it hard again. No intention of catching day’s race leader, just didn’t wanna get lapped. Guy seemed a bit jerky…first place taken far too serious, went to his head.

Eventually passed by 3 others. Chick’d by the ultimate lady runner – wasn’t even breathing hard, running alongside a Brit completing his 100^th marathon. Stayed close for another lap, marathoners finished after 12. Lady stopped, Brit kept running. 50K!

Back-n-forth traded places, could not overtake him. Nearing the Bridge end of lap 14, still in 2^nd. 200 meters back, needed a plan. Came into the trailhead, grabbed my band, didn’t stop. No water, no aid. 30 miles in, that was my plan. AND I kept running, short lap to the Bridge – now a half-mile ahead. FINISHED FIRST, new 50K PR. Whatta unexpected surprise!

Tunnel Hill in November, next 2 years – not sure if/when I’ll be able to run 100 miles but I’ll be back. Everyone needs a dream ❤