Life

Polar Blast, Day 2

Published November 12, 2014

3 days ago I was high altitude hiking in sunshine – albeit in 30mph headwind with gusts > 50mph (whoa Nellie).

Woke today to Polar Blast, Day 2. Single digit temps, wind chill below zero & more snow (8 new inches overnight). Yesterday’s high of 16° set a new record; not suppose to reach 10° today – FAAAANNNNTASTIC!

It’s November – thanks Mother Nature for cooperating 🙂

Social Media Commentary
NPS Climate Change Response · Much of the U.S. seems pretty chilly, with highs today in Denver only to reach 6ºF. However, our friends in Alaska are currently nice and toasty: Fairbanks is expected to reach a balmy 34ºF.

Daily Camera · Heads-up: It’s going to get even colder. Colder temperatures ahead as record-breaking chill ices Boulder. Today’s forecast calls for a high of 3, which the city may have already reached. The snowfall has also resumed, with 3 to 5 inches of additional accumulation…

Stacy · You know it’s cold when Antarctica is 20 degrees warmer than you…

: time to walk the dogs 🙂

: 2 short runs left before Vegas; see the treadmill in my immediate future

: 8 new inches of SNOW overnight

: Winter has arrived in Colorado!

Monumental Marathon, Indianapolis

Published November 1, 2014

Up early & in the hotel lobby at 530am. Met-up with my sis & walked a few blocks over to today’s marathon start. Crazy cold morning, 20° & windy. I’ve run in winter before; it’s the dramatic temp dive that made acclimating difficult.

Today’s start near Indiana’s state capitol dome marked my 5^th state capitol start (preceded by Baton Rouge, Austin, Atlanta & Des Moines). ALSO first time running with my sister – & Tammy travels with a pack so there were 10+ of us. Awesome day!

Super crowded start – full and half marathoners lined up together. Five minutes back from the Start Line, I spent 6 miles weaving in & between runners. Thankfully half marathoners peeled off after mile 7, where I picked up pace.

3^rd straight marathon [purposely] going out fast. Slow n steady hadn’t been working – found I’m just as tired at mile 19-21 whether pacing steady or racing hard.

Goal was to locate a pace group. Quickened my clip to 7-minute miles & caught the 3:55 group at mile 8. Too many bunched together so picked up speed again & caught the 3:45 pace group at mile 12.

Running thru Butler University 17 miles in & still felt strong. Pleasantly surprised hills at miles 11 & 17 were only slight inclines – Indy was a fairly flat course. Nice! Fatigue finally set in at mile 22 – but dang, only 4 miles to go.

SUB-4 started running thru my mind. Didn’t think this possible ‘til 2015.

Never saw the 3:45 guy but was lapped by 3:55 pacers just after mile 25. Passed Sailors & Soldiers Monument & kicked hard.

Ice in my veins: SUB-4 AND a PR!

K R HAGA – finish at 3:55:21
— at Downtown Indianapolis #BeMonumental

Finishers’ medal, Mylar wrap & chocolate milk, then secured a spot near the Finish – not just me marathoning this day. Watched my sister cross 30 minutes later – SPECTACULAR!

Folks, I come from strong stock. Better than running a marathon? Marathoning with family – nothing like it.

: Good Mornin’ from crazy cold Indy!

: booyah – new PR & 2nd sub-4 finish

: we come from strong stock – Go Sis!

: 13 marathons in 13 different states within 365 days

: Indiana State Capitol

: Soldiers & Sailors Monument

: sharing cocoa w/ my sis: post-marathon celebration

: haggard, early morning start — good to be home 🙂

Posted in Family, Heartland, Marathons/Ultras | Tagged capitol-domes, sub4 | Leave a comment

fall colour & football

Published October 31, 2014

It’s been a busy Fall season – lotta work, lotta marathoning — and a warm one too! After an early September 11^th flurry fest, unfortunately saw no snow in October – zero, nada, zilch.

Autumn has always been my favourite season – foliage colour & cooler temps. LOVE it! Always feel like – yes! made it thru another summer 🙂 Autumn = hot apple cider, pumpkins & county fairs.

Having Ash & Tom as housemates meant homemade pumpkin cookies for our fur babies, Ro & Marty, festive outdoor decorations AND a whole lotta Halloween candy for costumed trick-or-treaters while I travelled to Indy. Fall 2014 = a new car for Ash after her Jeep Liberty was crushed by a deer (5pm, in traffic, in Boulder — shows it can happen to anyone).

Autumn = Football. I’ve seen more NFL this season than I have in years. In addition to the weekly office pool, Ash & Tom are part of multiple fantasy football leagues. It’s crazy, dysfunctional fun — Ash’s rooting for the Bengal’s kicker, a wide receiver from Arizona & Denver’s quarterback. Whereas last year I watched the Broncos & [New England] Patriots (old habits die hard), this year my house is engaged all week. Monday night, Thursday night & all day Sunday. Will be sad to see the season end.

so long summer, FALL has arrived. #ROOOOOAAAAARRRR