Early a.m. start – marathon morning. Hadn’t actually run 26.2 miles since my race in New Brunswick, 3 weeks ago. Cut things kinda close this morn. Heard the anthem play while in the porta-john. Made it to the Start as runners were just on their way. Yikes!
Tight first couple miles. Race wound on pedestrian paths thru Aspen downtown & John Denver Sanctuary, allowing little room to pass – super congested. Crossed 2 footbridges. Water rushed wildly below; crazy scenic.
July temps remained cool-to-moderate for 9 miles. Followed the bike path just outside of town, thru Snowmass Village.
The Aspen Valley Marathon is primarily on the Rio Grande Trail…this mostly paved trail follows the Roaring Fork River and is closed to motorized vehicles.
Struggled a bit with elevation, breathing bit more labored at 7900ft (versus my Louisville home, 5500ft) – however, a super forgiving course. Gradual decline for long stretches, ultimately finishing in Basalt Colorado 6600ft.
Tree cover loss near [town of] Snowmass. Sun cooked the last 10 miles. Ya’ll know how much I love the heat…argh.
Eventually slogged my way to the Finish, just under 5 hours. I’ll take it. 67th marathon done – & my streak of monthly marathoning continues…32nd consecutive month. FAAANNNTASTIC!
No post-race shower but gotta kick my feet up while Stephen drove us 4 hours back to Louisville. Capped off the weekend with a little dinner theatre – Ash & I love our seasonal shows in Boulder. everybody get Footloose! 🙂
Aspen Valley Marathon
July 16, 2016 in Aspen, CO
K R Haga
bib number: 138
time: 4:52:07
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- 32nd consecutive month marathoning
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- Aspen leaf design
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- Aspen to Basalt 26.2 miles
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- everybody get FOOTLOOSE!
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- theatre tradition
Early a.m. drop-off at the Lubec School, followed by a bus ride to today’s marathon start at Quoddy Head State Park. Lighthouse & an ocean view. All smiles.
Temps would surpass mid-80°F by marathon end – summer marathoning norm, even in Canada.
Stretched, chugged water, last-minute porta-a-john use – filled time while awaiting the National Anthem…O’ Canada would be sung today. My second Canadian province in 2 weeks. YES!
Flat, easy start. 6 miles to Roosevelt Memorial Bridge. Cleared Customs in advance – no drama.
I’d follow the same path as yesterday’s sight-see to Head Harbour Lightstation. Only one east-west route on Campobello…gonna take more than 15 minutes to cross the Island today by foot. LOL>
Lotta rolling hills. Find the change in pace suits [me] more than miles of flat pavement. Another beautiful sunshiny day, albeit a bit warmer than yesterday. Roosevelt Campobello Int’l Park, Friar’s Bay, Herring Cove Provincial Park. Stayed on Route 774, kept right & caught much-appreciated shade past Wilson’s Beach. Trekked to the end of Lighthouse Rd – stopped & gazed at Head Harbour Lightstation before water fueling for the return loop to Lubec [pronounced: loo-BECK].
Last 10k, started feelin’ the full morning rays. Slogged a mile+ with 2 early-start 50 Staters. Good mental refresh – LOVE my running community.
Saw Mulholland Point Lighthouse in the distance (approx 2 miles to go). Up & over the bridge, past the International Boundary Line, US Customs folk cheered as we raced into downtown Lubec toward the Finish.
Marathon SUCCESS! Finish Line #66 – 2nd Canadian province, 17th long run of the year (including 3 ultras).
2016 Bay of Fundy International Marathon
Congratulations K R on completing, with a finish time of: 4:46:29.
Today’s post-race food reward? Plate of local-catch steamers. FAAANNNTASTIC!
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- today’s marathon start at Quoddy Head State Park
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- mile 6 border crossing
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- Roosevelt Memorial Bridge
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- Finish Line #66
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- MEDAL LOVE!
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- food reward: plate of local-catch steamers
After a play day in Banff & a pre-marathon Canadian wedding (another first – LOL>), slept in for a late 9am race start – first marathon outside the U.S., first all-kilometer trek (42.2K), first of my Canadian Province Quest (10 provinces, 5 years).
Canadian blogger friend Sarah pulled up in her Jeep rental, armed with bagel & peanut butter. Curbside pick-up. Pretty sweet, huh? Canmore to Banff – 20 minutes. On-street parking, short walk to Banff’s Central Park, 10K road race already in progress.
Layered up, trusting the day’s forecast: rain would stop, temps remain cool, wind breezy.
Small field of marathon runners, quick pop & we’re off. One, two kilometers in town, then dropped onto a bike path which paralleled Trans-Canada Highway 1 to Johnston Canyon in the Park. Pine & marshy meadows high-fenced to contain wildlife from entering the highway. Vista views of the Park’s high chiseled peaks – STUNNING!
Unfortunately the distance between markers (miles vs km) wasn’t noticeably different – my first experience with kilometers – but the incremental # of markers, a bit overwhelming. 100% mental. 17, 18, 19 – nope, still not halfway.
Parks Canada asked us to pass on this notice (Issued June 1st):
The Wolf activity has been very active in the Banff Region.
WHAT: Wolf warning
WHERE: Bow valley of Banff National Park, including campgrounds and day use areas.
WHY: Wolves have shown bold behaviour and accessed human food in a campsite.
Never approach, entice or feed wildlife.
Ensure all food, garbage, and pet food are stored inside a building or vehicle.
Supervise children and keep pets on a leash at all times.
If you are approached by a wolf, act aggressively to discourage it from approaching.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Please report all carnivore sightings to Banff Dispatch: 403-762-1470
Route Change (Announced June 16, 2016)
Due to the increased and consistent wildlife presence, mainly wolf and bear activity, Parks Canada has determined that the Half and Full Marathon courses will be adjusted. As a result, Parks has granted runners exclusive access to the renowned Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail Route.
This beautiful route will still offer an accurate and fully serviced course for the participants. The Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail was built in honour of Banff National Park’s 125th Anniversary. The trail is a testament to, and celebration of the values of the national park, encouraging visitors and Bow Valley residents to explore the landscape in an environmentally friendly way.
toujours frais
An impromptu lap was added between kilometers 16 & 25, because of wildlife concerns. Elite runners passed on the left…weird to be lapped, then to lap others as the race drug on.
30K achieved, loop craziness ended. Thin air, strong headwind – but no heat.
Instinctively knew I was finally returning to Banff centre. 12 kilometers to go – a 10K run is 6.2 miles, must be just over 7 miles left. Whole lotta estimating.
Had never previously seen a ‘40’ marathon marker. Exact same wave of relief as passing mile 25 in the States 🙂 Couldn’t yet see the Finish but knew it was coming. Turned off Bow Ave, short ‘city’ trek, then up Banff Ave to Central Park.
Banff MARATHON FINISHER – Alberta, first of my Canadian 10!!
2016 Banff Marathon
Congratulations K R on completing, with a finish time of: 4:48:40
Shared a walk along Banff’s Bow River with my pal Sarah, before hustling back for a hotel shower & autobahn return to Calgary – 630 flight home, work in the morning. No post-marathon lasagna this day…had to stomach Tim Hortons (fast food Canadian). Ho hum. Celebrated belated Dad Day [on] Thursday with steak & grilled corn – lovin’ me some summer (thanks Ash & Tom). YUM!
Next weekend: Campobello Island, New Brunswick
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- 42.2 kilometers
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- first of my Canadian 10
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- Banff’s Bow River w/ Sarah
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- scenic FINISH — LOVE the Canadian Rockies, WOW!
