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
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- squirreling around on Pearl St
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- first dress-up, then treat
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- Colorado cowboy
week’s training inspiration – Steve Prefontaine & Everest
Sweet Home Alabama – marathon #22. Super psyched to be part of Montgomery’s 1st 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.
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- State #22 done – check Alabama off the list
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- Alabama’s Capitol Dome
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- PSers tracking my journey at work (thanks Ash – awesome gift)
Ho hum…2 times unlucky in my quest to run NYC. Haven’t been back since January 2011 – when I changed my life path & moved to Colorado. I’ll return someday but won’t run the Marathon. 50 State Quest ends June next year in Steamboat.
Time to juggle.
Memorial Day 2016 – Buffalo. Day trip to Niagara Falls on the short list.
NYC just wasn’t meant to be. With an extra free weekend this November, stay tuned. I’m not one to sit idle 🙂
From: TCS New York City Marathon <email@tcsnycmarathon.org>
Date: Tue, Mar 3, 2015 at 5:48 PM
Subject: Your 2015 TCS New York City Marathon Status
Dear K R,
Thank you for applying to run the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon. We’re very sorry, but you were not selected…
