Snow on Friday, cool overcast but dry on Saturday (great day with family) – so what would race day weather hold?
Freezing drizzle.
Cold, yes – cold & freezing rain, kinda tough. That said, Little Rock cancelled last year’s marathon – can’t afford any more cancellations…too many $$ tied up in airfare. Rain, heat, sleet, snow – bring it on. I’m running.
Suited up, running beanie & a rain jacket – parked a half mile away & walked in with my Mom & bro. I’ll say this over & over – nothing like running with family. Lined up late so queued way back – more than 2 minutes behind clock time.
Slower than normal start, legs felt like bricks in the rain. At mile 4, heard the 3:55 pace group behind me – already? Seriously? Turns out this was the motivation needed. Picked up my stride, settled into the tunes & actively flexed my gloved hands to keep fingers from going numb. I run in snow – winter rain is a whole different animal.
Passed the Capitol dome at mile 11. Thought I’d see family at mile 18 or 19 – kept me motivated (unfortunately, traffic trapped them Downtown). Stopped under the race clock at mile 20, downed some Frog Fuel, a swig of water, re-focused & pushed hard. First time since November pacing ahead of 4 hours, 20 miles in.
Right leg started cramping at mile 25. Ran too many hills, drank too little water – had to power through.
Approaching the Finish, saw my first 3 hour clock. Never have I crossed sub-4 under the clock (previous sub-4s have only been official time). Mentally – a HUGE moment!
Sub-4! – first of 2015 & by far my hilliest. Minute+ slower than Indy (PR marathon run with my sis). Nothing but smiles, I’ll take it – FAANNNNTASTIC!
LITTLE ROCK MARATHON 2015 RESULTS
1151 K HAGA Marathon 3:56:39.8 9:01/mile LOUISVILLE CO
Have seen Mom 3 times since November. Will see bro & his family again in 3 weeks (Colorado ski weekend). And sis? Next month at Go! St. Louis, my Missouri marathon & USA half-way mark (25th state). Life is good, really really good 🙂
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- cold, rainy, lotta hills – AND my first sub-4 of 2015. Booyah! So much family support – BEST weekend!
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- mile 11 – LOVE capitol domes
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- snuggling on the couch – time to turn UP the heat
Fast learning during my 50 State Quest — winter travel can be precarious. Have experienced both flight delays & cancellations due to inclement weather & plane mechanical problems. While travelling East Coast on red-eye flights, have mastered sleeping in airports across chairs or against poles, propped against my backpack & running shoes. In Dallas, Skylink was down due to a security breach, leaving few options to transfer between terminals. Not only a Marathon Maniac, but fast becoming a travel warrior.
Received the following email late last night, cancelling this weekend’s Hyannis Marathon in Massachusetts. ARGH! Race fee – gone. Air travel – salvaged 50% of cost. Hotel – salvaged deposit (one-night stay) by moving reservation to October.
50 State Quest in jeopardy? Heck no. Kept cool, put on a happy face & juggled. Registered for the Cape Cod Marathon in October (Massachusetts salvaged), then added Charlottesville Marathon in April to cover Virginia. Everything happens for a reason.
Visiting Cape Cod in October makes much more sense than February plus I’ve always wanted to see Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello [in Charlottesville] so…although not ideal financially, I’m better off & remain on track to finish 50 States in Steamboat, June 2016.
No Hyannis, weekend’s open — gonna hit the mountains…this Colorado transplant loves the snow 🙂
Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10Km & Marathon Team Relay – HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO CURRENT AND EXPECTED WEATHER
I am sorry to report that this year’s event has been canceled due to current and expected weather conditions this week and on race weekend in Hyannis respectively.
I was informed this afternoon that top Town of Barnstable officials, including Police, Fire and DPW, met and decided that the town roads and parking would not be safe or adequate for a large event, and that this year’s event would have to be canceled.
There will not be a reschedule date.
Please keep in mind that all tees, medals, insurance, and food have been purchased; beneficiary organizations have been paid; hundreds and hundreds of hours have been put in to get the event off; and there are contracts to honor.
Thank you for your patience in waiting for this call. As I am sure you understand, after waiting for word from the town of Barnstable, we have hundreds of volunteers to inform, as well as vendors, contractors, and so many others.
530am bus pick-up from Breakers Resort – early start, still dark & 28 degrees. Not as originally thought when I signed up for my South Carolina marathon run. That said, I’m a cold weather runner. 28 degrees – bring it on! Laced up, ready to run.
Lotta locals in parkas & an announcement this would be Myrtle Beach’s last Valentine’s Day race start – moving the event to March next year, in search of warmer weather. Today’s finisher’s medal would feature flip-flops – uh…no beach attire this day. HA!
Donning a thermal wrap (Las Vegas Marathon leftover), ran 2 miles in my cape before disposing in a municipal can. Sunshine & the Atlantic Ocean were visible early – cold but SPECTACULAR!
Flat course so folks had me thinking PR all day. In hindsight, think I need hills to mix up pace or find I run flat-footed, lose form – running solely from my calves, not utilizing enough quad & hip strength.
Made the turn at mile 18 & met strong [ocean] headwinds the last 8 miles. Tough on pace, tough on the spirit – but whatta beautiful course. Pushing hard, wind blowing – felt I was running in place, making no forward progress at times.
Slogged in my last 2 miles, no PR, no sub-4 this day – but marathon 20 done & in the books, 3rd 26.2 of 2015.
Couldn’t think of a better way to avoid Valentine’s Day 🙂
Congratulations K R Haga
on completing the
Marathon
Your Finish Time:
04:12:09.263
Woke Sunday 3am – hour half drive to Florence SC. On & off 2 planes, neither actually left the airport. High winds cancelled all air travel – U.S. Airways moved passengers by bus to Charlotte, 2 hours away. Missed my connection but thankfully arrived home same day – Charlotte to Dallas, Dallas to Phoenix, Phoenix to Denver. Crazy travel day. Several of my running family spent Sunday night stranded in Dallas, Houston & Memphis – woes of winter travel.
Walked thru the door – crazy wildly, greeted by Ro. Home, sweet Colorado, home 🙂
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- feelin’ all Ray Charles — note to self: drop the shades next marathon 🙂
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- windy run along the Atlantic
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- 20 down, 30 to go! Still on track – Steamboat 2016!
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- never forgets his Papa
