#41 done – next weekend: Baltimore
Having lived in Connecticut for 9 years, two things I remembered ‘bout the Hartford Marathon: (1) scenic Bushnell Park finish & (2) it always, always rains – cold, heavy rain…not just a sprinkle.
Fast forward to 2015 & my first Hartford Marathon – woke Saturday to SUNSHINE & cool morning temps. FAAANNNTASTIC!
8am start — lined up across from the Capitol dome (7th dome on my journey).
Started out fast, crossed the Connecticut River at mile 4 into East Hartford, then out to South Windsor on Highway 5 just past the half. Least scenic portion of today’s run, 10 miles of out-n-back highway (mentally zoned out, time suffered)…returned to East Hartford at mile 23. Back over the river, climbed up Hartford’s historic Founders Bridge at mile 25 before re-circling downtown.
Whole lotta memories. Worked downtown at Deloitte & Touché (CPA firm) just outta college; Hartford Whalers (NHL) played across the street. 100 years ago, never pictured myself finishing a marathon. Running down Pearl, passing the City Place II Building, remembered that first ‘real’ job.
2 long blocks more, left on Trinity, then crossed under Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch into Bushnell Park. Not my strongest finish but 41st state complete.
K R Haga at Eversource Hartford Marathon 2015 (short complimentary race video)
- one race, 2 medals – Hartford Marathon & the New England Double (completed Vermont & CT same year)
- Marathon Maniac family — TITANIUM, baby — 30 marathons, 30 states, in 365 days! WOW! WOW! WOW!
Hartford Marathon
#1062 K R Haga Net Time 4:35:41
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- Connecticut’s state capitol dome
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- downtown Hartford
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- autumn colour & city skyline in Finishers’ Village
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- one race, 2 medals — completed the New England Double (VT & CT same year)
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- trifecta pose — Vermont, Connecticut & New England Double
Who doesn’t remember the big 4-0! Marathoning in New Hampshire would be just that – my 40th marathon, 40th state. Same time last year had just finished #10 in western Nebraska. Whole lotta marathoning in 2015 – it’s become a 50 State Quest addiction!
Friday afternoon touchdown in Manchester, then jetted an hour north to Bristol for bib pick-up & a quick drive-through of Saturday’s scenic course ‘round Newfound Lake. Fall foliage in New England – WOW, nothing like it. LOVE our Colorado Aspens but the intense bursts of orange, reds & yellows in New England, mighty magical.
Dinner with Stephen & his family in Concord – then straight to bed, marathoning in the a.m.
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- Old Country Store, Bristol NH
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- town green, village of Hebron
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- lake lighthouse
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- autumn foliage in New England — nothing like it, anywhere
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- dinner in Concord w/ Stephen & family
Woke Saturday to grey skies & cool temps – but no rain. Met up with several Maniacs before race start (pre-race pics) & a new marathoner, Rachel from nearby Mass (congrats! all that training & you’re now a marathoner 🙂 ) Today’s elevation map: rollercoaster-liken, continual barrage of rolling hills but nothing crazy steep – ‘though the pitch at mile 18 came a bit late in the game.
Quick blast thru town, then lakeside sunshine at mile 3. Large leafy trees canopied overhead – so much colour 🙂 Held pace thru Hebron center, didn’t slow ‘til the turnaround at Sculptured Rocks, mile 14.
Sun disappeared & wind breezed for the run remainder, flip-side of Newfound.
Tagged Houston-based Andy just past mile 25 & journeyed together to the Finish. Always remember those races where I’ve had friend/family support – thanks Stephen & Sheila! Pretty special, much appreciated.
Celebrated this day at Bristol House of Pizza – ya’ll know how I love my post-race lasagna – FAAANNNTASTIC!
- Next Saturday — Hartford CT (5th consecutive weekend marathoning)
New Hampshire Marathon
#11: K R Haga
Guntime: 4:29:43
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- 26.2 ’round scenic Newfound Lake
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- all smiles near mile 15
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- the big 4-0, only 10 to go!
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- friends at the Finish: mighty special & much appreciated (thanks Stephen & Sheila!)
Flight booked — this is really happening. Super excited!
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Fri, 15 JAN16 UA1736 DENVER, CO (DEN) 11:45 AM MAUI, HI (OGG) 3:50 PM
9 more 2015 marathons — busy Fall season — then only 3 states left next year: Hawaii in Jan, Illinois in April & Steamboat Springs CO in June…and I’m a full-fledged 50 Stater!
