MyCOLORADOLife.net

7 weekends 7 marathons 7 different states

Published March 27, 2015

What a cliff diver must feel just as he pushes off – that’s the feeling in my gut, knowing what I’ve signed for, knowing what’s ahead.

Fear & excitement, same time – how will my body hold up? Can I run injury free? How far & how often do I train when running full marathons over 7 consecutive weekends? Can I stay consistent with sleep & not blow nutrition – different airports, different time zones, racing in unpredictable weather, travelling from New Jersey to North Dakota?

Breathe, then…break a grin – good or bad, this experience is gonna change me.

03/29/15 Ocean Drive Marathon NJ
04/04/15 Charlottesville Marathon VA
04/12/15 Go St Louis Marathon MO
04/18/15 Garmin Oz Marathon KS
04/25/15 Kentucky Derby Festival KY
05/02/15 Wisconsin Marathon WI
05/09/15 Fargo Marathon ND

: squirreling around on Pearl St

: first dress-up, then treat

: Colorado cowboy

week’s training inspiration – Steve Prefontaine & Everest

Posted in Goals & Resolutions, Marathons/Ultras | Leave a comment

family ski-cation: Arapahoe Basin

Published March 21, 2015

Too much run, run, run – not enough Colorado fun, fun, fun. Well folks…that ends today 🙂

This weekend – my bro & his family flew to Denver for their 2nd Colorado Spring Break ski-cation. Add Ash & Tom to the mix, now 6 of us would be traversing down the slopes Saturday morning. FAAANNNNTASTIC!

Travelled to A-Basin, just south of Loveland Pass on US-6. Ski & boot rental – a few runs down the Bunny Slope before graduating back to Green (yep, ski novices). It was everyone’s first ski of 2015; all re-found rhythm by lunch.

When not skiing, we were eating. Must have been all that mountain air & activity. LOL> Cell phone pics revealed breakfast in Georgetown, pasta lunch at Arapahoe Basin, dinner in Louisville – topped off with ice cream at Sweet Cow.

LOVE my family – nothing like it.

Next up on my 50 State Quest? Climbing Cape May lighthouse with my friend Stephen, touring Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello with Aunt Joyce, riding St. Louis’ iconic Arch with my Sis, then exploring Kentucky horse country with CT bestie Dawn.

Life, it’s one amazing ride.

: Arapahoe Basin (11,000ft base elevation)

: sunshine & snow – no jacket required

: carb loading lunch – YUM!

: Breckenridge 2014, A-Basin 2015 – where to in 2016?

: ice cream ending to a super fun weekend

Posted in Continental Divide, Family | Tagged skiing | Leave a comment

Montgomery Marathon

Published March 14, 2015

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.