6am marathon start – back that an hour in Sebastopol where I picked up Carolyn. She slept in an all-female teepee commune (Airbnb). Makes Motel 6 sound a bit more sexy, huh? (actually kinda jealous — HA!)
Overcast cool morning – couldn’t ask for better running weather in August. FAAANNNTASTIC!
Started in Corral 2, race paced quick. Hadn’t run with Carolyn since our NM desert trail run last March. Good conversation, felt super relaxed. Generally I’m a solo runner, even in training – much appreciated sharing the day. I’d get a little fast, Carolyn would pull back the reins. sub-9 pace for 10 miles. Thanks friend. Not looking for a fast 10K, but a steady sub-4 marathon finish.
Mike from Southern Cal joined our pack; finished the Half three-four minutes under 2 hours. Nice flat course, few rolling hills, cloud cover protection from August summer rays.
Unfortunately, started puking at mile 13, then again at 15. Slowed, couldn’t hold with my running pals – but kept pushing, didn’t quit. Sick again at 18. Popped a pill at mile 21 (brought one along, just in case).
Stomach settled before mile 23 (big thanks Zofran). Slogged next 2 miles. Saw Carolyn just after the 25 mile-marker. She finished 3:59+, then walked back to pace me – WOW, thanks pal 🙂
Marathon 68 done. Marathon run streak continues at 33 months consecutive.
My first 26.2 since being diagnosed – and I had a GREAT 15 miles. Getting stronger, really good day.
Santa Rosa Marathon 28 August 2016
K R Haga
Net Time 04:39:31.003
Event: Full Marathon
Race No: 1516
Country Representing: United States
Wave: Full Marathon Start 6:00 AM
With yesterday’s 50 States Award Presentation, not a lotta time for pre-marathon adventuring.
[however] 6pm return flight home. Plenty o’ hours to get our California on 🙂
Quick stop at the Charles Schultz Museum. Always been a Peanuts fan. Received a plush Snoopy as a one-year-old from my Grandmother. Memory tugs at the heart. Started the drive back to San Fran early – destination: Golden Gate Park (a close 30 minutes from the airport). Bridge ride-over, pulled off along the ocean. Walked beachside past Seal Rocks, up to Cliff House.
Palm trees, sand & blue ocean water – ah, yes…California.
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- iconic Americana, just WOW!
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- beach volleyball
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- the beautiful blue Pacific
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- Seal Rocks
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- goodbyes from the Cliff House
Plan always was to finish in Colorado – marathon all 50 states but gotta/hafta/MUST finish in Colorado. Set a goal, meet a goal, make it happen.
the 50 States Marathon Club certifies results & presents awards at our quarterly reunions – reunion locations which rotate ’round the 50 States. Super nice to be recognized amongst one’s peers – we’re a tight running community.
First opportunity to receive my award, club’s 3rd quarter reunion in Santa Rosa CA.
early Saturday a.m. start – flight delay, heavy fog in San Francisco. Met up with Carolyn (my running partner from Indiana), picked up the rental & hit the highway. Slow going even on the weekend – Cali loves their traffic. Crossed the Bay Bridge. Soooo many cars. Two ½ hours later arrived in California wine country. Bib pick-up for tomorrow’s 26.2 at DeLoach Vineyards, nestled in Sonoma County’s Russian River valley.
Located our reunion location – cool temp room, walled with oak wine barrels.
Whatta journey. Alaska to Hawaii, Maine to California, 26.2 miles in every U.S. state. Additionally, I’ll attempt tomorrow to keep my monthly marathoning streak alive. Haven’t missed since December 2013. FAAANNNTASTIC!
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- Bay Bridge today, Golden Gate tomorrow
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- the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge spans San Francisco Bay in California
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- north on Highway 101
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- DeLoach Vineyards, Santa Rosa
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- 30+ marathons in 30+ states — last year’s Maniac Titanium partner, Stacy
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- 50 States Marathon Club
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- it’s official, bumper-stickered the car
50 States Award Presentation
Run the Year Motto: Run, Crawl, Walk, Conquer, Dominate 2,016 miles in 2016
July 2016 update: Month o’ mighty family vacations – week in St. Louis, week in Montana. Struggled to get in all my miles, but overall fairly consistent – missed only 6 days. It’s summer time, I’ll take it.
2 month focus (July & August): ENDURANCE
Never been a summer runner – completing my miles, just getting it done in July & August will be a personal victory.
Race ReCap: completed marathon #67 in Aspen, my 5th FULL in Colorado, 32nd consecutive month marathoning 🙂
Mileage ReCap: Still on track, ended July at 1,171 miles (5 miles short of goal).
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- ended July at 1,171 miles
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- summer fire season
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- waiting for Papa to finish his miles
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- Milestone 1100
Run the Year – August Newsletter
When you take on a year long challenge like this, you have to remember that you are not perfect. If you were perfect, there would be no room for improvement, no reason to make goals, take on challenges, or fight to improve who you are.
If you were perfect there would be no room to grow, to learn, to struggle, or to take on the impossible. Being imperfect is what makes you interesting, beautiful, complex, fun to talk to at parties. Being imperfect forces you to strive for success and to understand that failure is part of the process.
This month, celebrate your imperfections. Pick one thing to improve. Maybe add an extra mile to your weekly log. Maybe skip your afternoon snack. No matter what you choose, choose it knowing that you will still not be perfect – but that’s what makes the progress feel so good.
