Biggest concern eight weeks ago was summer heat, now my training miles regularly see snow.  Fall foliage, FAMILY & a lotta East Coast push-pin additions.  HUGE life adventure.  Anne of Green Gables, Washington Crossing, the Grand Ole Opry, night-toured our nation’s Capitol.  Always more than just running.

Rooted deep in America’s Old South, took most of Friday as travel.  Nothing direct to Mississippi.  Denver to Chicago, Chicago to Birmingham, rental car 2 ½ hours west to Meridian.  Welcome Y’all greeted at bib pickup.  Heavy Scarlett O’ Hara lilt.  Only 20 miles inside the M-I-S-S border, but distinctly Mississippi.  Reminiscent of my own childhood home, old industrial town fighting itself relevant in the 21^st century.

Quick trip, under 24 hours.  Flight return check-in before my head hit the pillow.

7am Saturday Start.  Gathered around City Hall, hat offs, EVERYONE stopped.  Anthem voiced LIVE, hand-over-heart/eyes-on-the-flag.  Patriotic, well sung.  Common thread – Colorado, Maine or Mississippi – same Stars-n-Strips LOVE.  RED or BLUE, Americans always come together when it matters.

Combined FULL/Half Start, double loop course, 13-mile trek done twice.  Sunshine & 40.  Digged the cool morning start, not a Mississippi norm.  MUCH appreciated by the visiting Team.

Hilly course.  Rolling hills played to strengths.  Day’s mantra: Get ‘er done.

Maintained a steady 9 min/pace first loop.  Tunes blaring, back-n-forth’d with 4 marathon tees.  Cheyenne (Wyoming) grey, husband-wife in Milwaukee tangerine & an orange Lost Dutchman Finisher.  Sub-2 Half.

Followed Arizona into Lap 2.  Plugged in, head forward, eyes focused, alert to increased motor traffic.  No stopping ‘til a planned med break at 17 – lactic lead in my quads but kept pushing.  PUSH, PUSH, PUSH – 20.  Brief walk marker 21.  Steady, consistent 10 min/pace to 24.  New PLAN: hotel shower before my room boot @ high NOON.  AWESOME motivator 😊

Sunshine & finish line support.  Locals draped in blankets, BIG smile/running shorts in my camp.  STRONG finish – 3^rd place Masters.  50 State countdown now 7.  Hot hotel shower/fresh clothes before highway’ng back to Alabama.  Got ‘er done.

Friendly folk in Meridian.  Thanks y’all.  Good push-pin memory added to my map back home.

2018 Magnolia Marathon

Place Name Hometown Type Bib # Time Pace Speed

 

17 K R HAGA LOUISVILLE, CO RUNNER 30 04:15:05.85 09:43 6.2mph

 

Split 1 01:56:35.709 08:53 6.7mph 01:56:35.709

Split 2 02:18:30.145 10:33 5.7mph 04:15:05.854