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
Quick shower at the Cow Palace in Lamar. 2 hour drive ‘cross the Oklahoma Panhandle, diner dinner in New Mexico. Big thanks to my co-pilot Dave – talk about Sports Trivia…today I chauffeured the King. Completely took my mind off the blowing snow.
2 days, 2 states, 2 marathons — my first DOUBLE!
Met up with Dave’s friend, Cindy, another Colorado 50 Stater – unloaded, snapped a few pics, then diner dined at the Rabbit Ear Cafe (it was this or Pizza Hut – HA!) Our small group of Dust Bowl runners were greeted by the local Chamber of Commerce – super nice – yep, we’re kinda a big deal in Clayton. Ya’ll know that’s how I roll. LOL>
Head hit the pillow early – although tomorrow’s marathon day…so was today 🙂
Doubled our drive time next morning – no more snow but woke to a quarter-inch of ice. Inched down curvy canyon roads into Clayton Lake State Park, no drama…took it slow & easy.
18 degrees. Coldest start of my New Mexico marathons (3rd run this year). Borrowed layers for the Start – had packed short-sleeves & shorts this day.
My legs woke slow – still stiff from Saturday’s marathon…but my head was a go. Cold temps, snow on the ground & SUNSHINE. Days like this, I run with a perma-smile.
AND the view – WOW! Take poor little Lamar Colorado & up the panorama 10x. Course hugged scenic Lake Clayton. Proudly collected 9 rubber bands today – 5 on my left arm, 4 on my right.
Only one small stretch on pavement…all coated in ice. Down to a crawl, still landed on my backside. Luckily sensed it was happening & went down pretty graceful.
Received good advice from a fellow marathoner on running my first DOUBLE. Took my first 2 laps at a slow 12-minute slog. AND she was right! 6-7 miles in the day’s run, my body DID adjust. Warmed up, legs moving, did another 2 laps with Greg & Barbara, a couple from Ames Iowa…then picked up pace – goal to lap them by loop 7 or 8 & finish last lap(s) together.
Trail turned to sloppy thick mud in sections. Not my first rodeo – jumped in both feet & tread thru the middle. No real avoiding it…best to embrace & enjoy the experience. Sunshine, antelope grazed nearby. Temps topped 40, turned into a beautiful day.
Today was about the journey – and training my body to marathon multiple days. 3 miles to go, legs stiffened again, struggled with left knee pain. Different from runner’s wall – today wasn’t mental, first time pushing my body 50+ miles over 2 days. Walked the next mile with a lady from Vegas. Karen, a cancer survivor, had lived a wild early life. Awesome stories – good therapy, body & soul.
Greg & Barbara tagged me as I slipped on rubber band #9 – one short loop ‘round the Dam to go. No concern ‘bout finish time so the 3 of us took a short detour to view the lake’s infamous dinosaur tracks. Far-out experience DURING a marathon 🙂
Marathon/ultra #59. FINISHED an hour slower than yesterday’s 26.2 urban-trail in Lamar – but no regrets. My first ever DOUBLE – two marathons, two days, two different states. FAAANNNTASTIC!
2016 Dust Bowl Day 5 – Full Marathon – March 27, 2016 – Clayton, NM
KR Haga Louisville CO 06:06:15
free State Park shower (AWESOME), then schlepped 6 ½ hours home. Weekend over? Heck no – it’s Easter.
Easter Sunday in March caught me by surprise (honestly, would have never scheduled a marathon run). Barreled home to share holiday tradition with Ash & Tom – our 3rd Easter pilgrimage to Casa Alegre. Mexican fiesta, olé! LOL>
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- first NM marathon in SNOW
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- it was this or Pizza Hut
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- 25 minutes away – tomorrow’s scenic course
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- chilly New Mexico sunrise
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- 18 degrees & ice — packed short sleeves for NM, borrowed layers from running buddies
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- antelope
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- temps warmed past 40; shed layers & soaked in sunshine
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- Clayton Lake [State Park]
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- dinosaur tracks
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- GREAT smiles from Ames (Iowa)
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- snow, ice, sloggy mud, then SUNSHINE — beautiful New Mexico day
Happy Easter 2016!
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- home in time for Mexican — it’s Easter, right?
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- our 3 year Casa Alegre tradition
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- chocolate Bunny magic
