Marathons/Ultras

Georgia Marathon

Published March 23, 2014

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes

Quote sums up my 5^th FULL:

first marathon in USA Eastern Time Zone (never adjusted to the 2 hour time difference)
last marathon in the South for several months (temps are already heating up in Dixie)

Race Highlights:

the Omni Hotel (marathon started at CNN Center – super convenient)
Martin Luther King Nat’l Historic Site (mile 4)
the Carter Center (mile 6)
Emory University (mile 16) – super positive student volunteers
Georgia Tech (mile 24) – universities are always mighty scenic, runner eye candy

Paced well for 14 miles – up and down, up and down, one hill after another.

At mile 16, I grabbed water. At mile 17, I started walking up the highest hills. At mile 23, my quads ceased – too many hills, serious lactic acid buildup, began walking. Pulled it together & produced a slow crawl for the final mile thru Atlanta’s downtown.

Not a fine moment but I finished. Tough day – my 2^nd worst time to date.

1575 K R Haga Louisville CO 4:45:14

: 7am start – all smiles

: corralled in downtown Atlanta – 13,000 runners

: G-A Marathon FINISHER!

: Centennial Olympic Park

UPDATE:

4 weeks ‘til my April marathon in Salt Lake. Only 2 days after Atlanta I biked 17 miles (indoors), followed by a 1000 yard swim. Wednesday 545am, I biked another 17 miles & on Thursday (only 4 days after the Georgia Marathon) I ran 10 miles.

Already solved my calorie count in March (now eating 5 small meals a day). In April, I start outdoor cycling AND train for marathon #6 (my first in altitude). Colorado winter almost over, time to fully commit. No more excuses.

Posted in Marathons/Ultras, South | 2 Comments

Austin Marathon, Texas

Published February 16, 2014

Race day. Up at 5am, already 65 degrees & crazy humid – in February!

Spent 30+ minutes locating parking in the designated state capitol parking garage(s) – Austin’s gotta resolve I-35 traffic congestion & downtown parking (friendly suggestion) – then jockeyed my way near the 4 hour pace group.

Whole lotta runners. More than 18,000 participating in either the half or full marathon events.

Marathon was rolling hills from mile 9 thru mile 19. Yep, 10 miles of gradual UP.

Austin only provides marathon ‘Finisher’ tees, so picked up a local Longhorns tee for race day. By mile 9, my new cotton tee was soaked. Let the chaffing begin – that’s all I’m gonna say here but ouch, live & learn. Cotton never again plus wearing strategically placed Band-Aids in every marathon going forward.

Assume it was the humidity but whatever the excuse, today just wasn’t my best. Felt tired, struggled for motivation & was passed by my pace team a few miles past Lady Bird Lake. And because of super tight security, had no one encouraging me at mile 19, 20 or 21 (aka – Runner’s Wall). Just me this day. Tough one.

As the race day drug on, felt more & more like a fraud in that Longhorns tee. Whatever, I’ll take it 🙂

“The eyes of Texas are upon you, son”
“Hook ‘em Horns”
“Run Forrest Run” (not sure he was from Texas)

Race ended up a hill. Ugly day but I collected my official Finisher tee.

Only 46 states to go. Next month – Atlanta!

Place Name City State Time

1686 K R Haga Louisville CO 4:27.41

: Austin Marathon FINISHER!

: Texas State Capitol

: heavy fog, crazy humid race day

Posted in Marathons/Ultras, South | Tagged capitol-domes | 2 Comments

Louisiana Marathon

Published January 19, 2014

Woke early & jetted to Louisiana’s State Capitol – 7am start time for my 3^rd full marathon (only 47 states to go).

After enduring snow last month in Tucson, wore a blue running suit this go-around. Had a lotta competing colours going on this day (crazy look)…but gotta say, [the running suit] did the trick. Awesome Christmas gift – many thanks!

National Anthem, starting gun blast by Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor & off we went – my largest marathon to date (or at least it seemed that way – both marathon & half-marathon races started concurrently.)

Sunshine poked out early in the run. Still smiling at mile 10, enjoyed running lakeside through LSU campus.

Started dragging just past mile 15 – kept thinking how much I needed a potty break. Unfortunately all outdoor johns were lined with female participants. And no aim-n-shoot opportunities available on today’s course, race principally meandered throughout Baton Rouge suburbia. Argh – new thought.

Saw M at mile 17 & then again at mile 20. Re-energized. I can do this thing…only 6 more miles.

Hill at mile 24, not pretty but kept running whereas other marathoners chose to walk up the I-10 overpass.

LOVE LOVED the many residents cheering us on – helped boost my energy level. Thanks Baton Rouge!

Last mile – tired, but no excuses. And still felt fairly good — even picked up pace at the end. 7 minutes slower than last month’s run in Tucson but finished so much stronger. I-EEE!

Next month – Austin 🙂

9361 K R Haga 575 4:12:38