Woke early & jetted to Louisiana’s State Capitol – 7am start time for my 3rd 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
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- Louisiana State Capitol – 7am start time
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- daybreak – big smiles, ready to run
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- just under 10 miles, still smiling
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- MARATHON FINISHER!
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- thumbs up, no medic needed
60 days ago I challenged myself to get marathon ready again.
Despite our abnormal sub-zero temps in Boulder, stayed focused & on-track all week.
December 2
5am Monday morning swim class is kinda hard to stomach after the holidays — up to 1.7 miles (longest swim to date). Positive news — even after Thanksgiving dinner, told to up my daily calorie count to 2400. 4 more training days (2 swim, 2 run days), then off to Tucson.
December 3
12 mile training run today. Probably my last day outdoors before Tucson. Arctic blast settles in later this afternoon. Single digit highs, lows below zero thru Saturday. YIKES! That said – sunny & 45 this morning; it was a mighty good run.
December 4
7 degrees & snowing — surprised to have the pool all to my myself until 630 this morning. Slackers!
December 5
Woke this morning to -8 degrees, wind chill of -31F. BRRRRRR! Shipped Ro off to Camp Bow Wow for an all-day indoor play date. 6 miles on the treadmill at a quick 8.0 pace — last run before Marathon weekend.
Good news? Our Colorado sunshine is back! Bright & sunny – life is FAAANNNNTASTIC 🙂
December 8 – RACE DAY
Woke early, checked out of my hotel & drove to the local high school for bus pickup (hauling runners to the Start from 440am-520am – yep, mighty early). Super cold morning to be wearing shorts. Luckily our line of buses were blocked in by a large tour bus near the drop-off stage. Lucky? Yea, we got to stay on the bus & keep warm.
20 minutes before race time — lined up in the dark with 3,000 other runners & shivered in Tucson’s first snow in years. Just flurries but jeez, snow? & only an hour from Mexico?
Ran strong for 19 miles – great pace, felt really good.
Mile 21 – HIT THE WALL. A mile further than Alaska but same feeling of concrete blocks tied to my quads & calves. Frustrating but no shooting pain. Gutted out those last 5.2 miles. Walk, jogged, ran – whatever it took.
Half mile left & stopped again. An older runner comes up from behind & says ‘Come on, you’re almost there.’ Runner angel? Maybe. Started jogging, then running ‘til I crossed the finish at just over 4 hours.
Shaking from hypothermia, off to the medic tent after the orange lady repeatedly insisted I go. Embarrassing, sure but 15-20 minutes under blankets felt mighty good. Who knew it’d be windy, overcast & 30 in Tucson?
Each marathon is a learning experience – 2 down, 48 states to go. Next month – Louisiana.
Place Bib Athlete Name City State Finish Time
422 321 K R Haga Louisville CO 4:05:39
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- FINISHER!
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- Goodbye Tucson!
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- 5-hour layover in Phoenix
Happy Thanksgiving 2013!
Thankful for so many things – family, friends, great health, sunshine, mountains, snow & my Colorado home (of course).
Found myself completely caught up in the holiday spirit this year. Signed up for not one but TWO 5K charity runs.
The trick was finishing Louisville’s 9am Turkey Trot (supporting Flood Relief) & driving to Boulder in time for the 10am Community Food Share 5K. Backseat full of non-perishables for 9am’s charity & canned goods for the 10am run.
Crazy huge turnout for my hometown Turkey Trot. Excited to see 2 trucks filled with donations. Feel super lucky & blessed that my home & most of Louisville was spared from September’s epic (500 year) flood.
Ran this first 5K mighty fast, almost breaking 21 minutes. Quick photo with Santa — in the car & off to Boulder.
Community Food Share’s mission is to ensure that no one in Boulder and Broomfield Counties goes hungry.
What better mission than to feed our neighbors. Dropped off 3 bags of canned goods. Big smile.
Sunshine, warm weather – and another big crowd, all ready to run. Beautiful view of the Flatirons, just east of CU campus.
Ended the day at M’s brother’s home for turkey & fixin’s. No holding back this holiday – already ran off my calories 🙂
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- Louisville 5K Turkey Trot – supporting Flood Relief
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- 9 a.m. start time – gotta run fast….next charity race starts in an hour
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- finished 10 seconds ahead of the little dog (who photo-bombed my pic – LOL!)
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- quick shot with Santa, then off to Boulder
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- Community Food Share 5k – supporting homeless in Boulder County
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- check out that view – LOVE LOVE Colorado!
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- winter residents
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- 2 5Ks in under 46 minutes – ROCKSTAR day!
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- Happy Thanksgiving 2013!
