Up early & in the hotel lobby at 530am. Met-up with my sis & walked a few blocks over to today’s marathon start. Crazy cold morning, 20° & windy. I’ve run in winter before; it’s the dramatic temp dive that made acclimating difficult.
Today’s start near Indiana’s state capitol dome marked my 5th state capitol start (preceded by Baton Rouge, Austin, Atlanta & Des Moines). ALSO first time running with my sister – & Tammy travels with a pack so there were 10+ of us. Awesome day!
Super crowded start – full and half marathoners lined up together. Five minutes back from the Start Line, I spent 6 miles weaving in & between runners. Thankfully half marathoners peeled off after mile 7, where I picked up pace.
3rd straight marathon [purposely] going out fast. Slow n steady hadn’t been working – found I’m just as tired at mile 19-21 whether pacing steady or racing hard.
Goal was to locate a pace group. Quickened my clip to 7-minute miles & caught the 3:55 group at mile 8. Too many bunched together so picked up speed again & caught the 3:45 pace group at mile 12.
Running thru Butler University 17 miles in & still felt strong. Pleasantly surprised hills at miles 11 & 17 were only slight inclines – Indy was a fairly flat course. Nice! Fatigue finally set in at mile 22 – but dang, only 4 miles to go.
SUB-4 started running thru my mind. Didn’t think this possible ‘til 2015.
Never saw the 3:45 guy but was lapped by 3:55 pacers just after mile 25. Passed Sailors & Soldiers Monument & kicked hard.
Ice in my veins: SUB-4 AND a PR!
K R HAGA – finish at 3:55:21
— at Downtown Indianapolis #BeMonumental
Finishers’ medal, Mylar wrap & chocolate milk, then secured a spot near the Finish – not just me marathoning this day. Watched my sister cross 30 minutes later – SPECTACULAR!
Folks, I come from strong stock. Better than running a marathon? Marathoning with family – nothing like it.
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- Good Mornin’ from crazy cold Indy!
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- booyah – new PR & 2nd sub-4 finish
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- we come from strong stock – Go Sis!
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- 13 marathons in 13 different states within 365 days
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- Indiana State Capitol
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- Soldiers & Sailors Monument
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- sharing cocoa w/ my sis: post-marathon celebration
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- haggard, early morning start — good to be home 🙂
Sunday morning, marathon morning.
Over the past few months, I’ve met a lotta marathoners. As a result, my FB newsfeed lights up on the weekends. Today I’m sharing the day with Rock n Roll Denver runners – crazy, I haven’t yet marathoned in my own home state. Strategy’s been to bang out an even mix of East Coast/West Coast races – based on ease of travel, cost & time away from work.
Not sure if Colorado will be my 50th, but keeping the possibility open. ALSO thinking NYC or maybe Hawaii. Wherever the location – it’s gonna be a party! 50 State Goal – 2016!
Arrived downtown early to secure parking, then slept like a bum in the rental until half past 7. Des Moines races 10,000+ strong – that’s a lotta runners, one of my largest marathon fields to date.
Long sleeves, gloves, a 2nd t-shirt – all geared up after last weekend’s chill in Rhode Island. Lesson learned.
Des Moines’ race route would be a mirror opposite of Newport. Lotta rolling hills over the first 17 miles, then flat to the finish. I felt strong today – despite marathoning only 8 days ago.
LOVE every marathon start. LOVE the excitement, the buzz, the music. LOVE our national anthem.
Hung close to the 3:40 pace group. Last weekend I went out fast for 15 miles before dropping back. This Sunday: same tactic, same result. But dang I was strong up the hills – unfortunately, no gas left in the tank for the flat finish.
Another ugly form finish but timed within 4 minutes of last weekend’s race. Sweet!
Mentally I’m getting stronger. Heading home with a Plan to improve nutrition, increase core & sub-4 in 2015 (Duluth won’t be a one-time wonder). Consistency is the key.
Lucky #13 marathon FINISHER! Woo-hoo!
Indy in 2 weeks, then another 3 races in 2014 (Vegas, Tulsa & Rehoboth Beach, Delaware). I’ll end 2014 at 17 states – that’s roughly a third complete. Heavy race schedule planned Jan-June 2015 (minimum 2 marathons a month), then taking off the summer. It’s 14er season in Colorado plus ya’ll know I’m not a fan of running in hot weather.
Missing Ro – will be good to be home. I miss Colorado 🙂
bib place name location time
1975 781 K R Haga Louisville, CO 4:21:28
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- 13 states COMPLETED — liking my progress!
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- 2014 Nov-Dec races (tan); 2015 Jan-Jun schedule (green)
Woke Tuesday & thought: BONUS marathon (doesn’t everyone? 🙂 )
Deadline to enter the Des Moines Marathon was Wednesday. Next thought: What to do in Iowa?
Slept on it & woke with a plan. Iowa would be all about the journey – an all-Midwest adventure! I’d travel to Des Moines via bus (to Denver), overnight train (to Omaha, Nebraska), then rental car 2 hours across Western Iowa. Perfect!
2 short runs on Wednesday & Thursday would be the only prep I could fit in – always lose a few days after marathoning (letting muscles & joints heal). Have learned to listen to my body after a full year of 26.2 race days.
Had never been to Denver’s Union Station previously – what a surprise! Unbeknownst to me, a major renovation occurred over the past 2 years – what a beautiful station! Additionally, Denver’s night life was a-happening. Lotta laughter & hand holding as I passed couples walking to some of Denver’s finest restaurants. Super impressed – go Denver!
Train conductors, comfortable seating, polite conversation, leg room, no baggage fees, no security scanners, a dining car. Riding Amtrak is like going back in time – when humans were kinder. LOVE LOVE train travel. Wish the U.S. would greatly expand our railways. I’m telling ya – if you haven’t travelled by train, you’re missing out.
Plugged in my phone (yep, that’s also possible on train) & woke 7 hours later in Lincoln – an hour from my train destination.
Taxi to the airport (to pick up a rental car), breakfast, 5 minutes later…I’m in Iowa.
An hour into the drive, detoured down a rural highway to take in the scenery. Early morning grass was still wet with heavy dew. Cornfields, farmhouses, brightly colored silos – reminiscent of Waller’s Bridges of Madison County. Truly blessed.
Discovering there’s unique beauty in each of my 50 state marathon destinations.
Race packet pick-up at the Iowa Events Center, then spent a couple hours exploring the State Historical Museum & State Capitol Building. Iowans are proud of their John Deere tractors – ‘nuf said ‘bout the museum. The Capitol Dome however was fascinating. Saturday was probably the ideal day to explore – no bureaucrats 🙂
2 hour nap, quick shower, then off to Carlisle Iowa where I had VIP tickets to a local production of Dracula – performed at historic Randleman House, a “found space” production.
A found space is a nontheatrical space — the rotunda of the state capitol, a church, warehouse, courtroom, carpenters shop – which is used for production. Typically the space is chosen because of its context to the play: Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at the capitol, The Passion Play in a church, Inherit the Wind in a courtroom.
2 hour original production (currently unpublished), poetry reading during intermission and dinner – all proceeds supporting Des Moines’ local arts scene. FUN night! Conversed with many – including Carlisle’s mayor, the play’s director, playwright & cast members. Thanks Mary Sue for creating such a special night before my 13th marathon!
What to do in Iowa? Think I found my answer. YIKES – only 6 hours sleep before race time!
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- Iowa weekend adventure – bus, overnight train, then car – and a BONUS marathon!
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- discovering unique beauty in all 50 states
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- IOWA!
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- downtown Des Moines
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- State Historical Museum of Iowa (yep, tractors)
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- State Capitol
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- Iowa’s Il Duomo
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- Capitol dollhouse
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- LOVED this painting – American West, crossing the prairie
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- Soldiers and Sailors Monument
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- historic Randleman House
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- holiday decked in Edgar Allan Poe
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- pre-race drama in Carlisle IA
