Any other year, no way I could take off the 31st from work…end-of-month in Finance, gotta/hafta work requirement. That’s of course unless New Year’s weekend is a rare Saturday/Sunday combo 🙂 Google-searched (then promptly registered) for a New Year’s Day marathon in Spring Hill FL. Direct flight to Tampa – couldn’t imagine a better way to kick off 2017. FAAAANNNNTASTIC!
Lazy pre-race day, 2-mile run ‘cross the Causeway [bridge] to Clearwater…breezy, humid conditions. 82° forecasted for tomorrow’s 26.2. Early to bed, early to rise – except for, a powerful midnight firework display celebrating the start of 2017.
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- last flight of 2016
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- ocean digs next 3 days
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- Clearwater Memorial Causeway
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- last run of 2016 — whatta view!
marathon #79, first of 2017
Hour-15 north from Clearwater – not a soul on the road at 6am…most folks snoozing late this Sunday holiday. Same day bib pick-up at Anderson Snow Park, a local ball field. Small group of local runners gathered – 10K, half marathon, 26.2 mile options. No more than 50 registered for the Full.
Comfortable temps gave way once the morning sun broke. Today’s course – the Suncoast trail – an out-n-back bike path built parallel to a northbound toll road. Flat paved path, not super scenic, no trees.
Ran strong for 12, walked/ran at 15, called my Sis at 21, death-marched or slogged the final 5. No good excuse, complete mental fade – let the day’s heavy humidity exaggerate today’s marathon collapse. I’ve run in hotter…most affected by the January temp swing, been snowscape training in Colorado.
Not the way I envisioned my 2017 start – 5 hour finish, not a great run…but I finished. Marathon #79, first of the new year, 9th consecutive run day. No chemo, weaning myself off meds & running EVERY SINGLE day.
High hopes for 2017 – New Year, New You. Gonna live HUGE.
Spring Hill Marathon Mania – Jan 1, 2017
Haga, K R LOUISVILLE CO 1664 5:14:14
Post marathon plans? beach, Frida Kahlo, dinner at Guppy’s. Lovin’ me some fresh seafood. Watch out New England – Gulf Coast oysters, they’ve got game. YUM!
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- 5 hour finish — not the way I envisioned my 2017 start…but I finished
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- Gulf Coast oysters — YUM!
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- January beach day 🙂
Haven’t been home since being cancer diagnosed last July. AND because I’m not the best with sharing personal information (this comes from a guy who weblogs 10x/month), best response – show up in person. Alleviates some worry: sharing dinner, sharing laughs, worshipping together…and completing another marathon (of course).
December 18th – celebrated baby Bro’s birthday LIVE & in PERSON.
Game night, [Hallmark] Christmas movies – and birthdays too! FAAAANNNTASTIC!
Unexpectedly my 3-day weekend trip became a 4-day adventure — weather delayed my return flight home. Bright side? Extra half-day with Mom & a crack-of-dawn work-out at my brother’s new gym (not yet open to the public). Sweet!
Mark your calendar, FAMILY. Marathoning OKC next April – short (3 hour) road trip away…hint, hint 🙂
[Colorado fun fact: Dec 18th/my 7th year as a Colorado homeowner]
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- long, long time ago
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- flanked by wife & daughter, even James looks good 🙂
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- brother’s new gym
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- celebrating baby Bro’s BIG day
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- mountain of chocolate
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- ‘Grandma’ gift (now 20+ years old)
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- more grandkid art
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- who can’t resist Granny’s homemade chocolate-covered peanut butter bonbons?
Williamsburg ‘Clown Room’, Bro’s new gym & Family Game Night
last marathon of 2016
Thursday night flight thru Dallas – Friday marathon? Heck no, Saturday 🙂
Week before Christmas, no better time of year to mix ‘love of running’ with ‘love of family’. No direct flights to Fort Smith, Arkansas – but can always count on family to pick me up at the airport. If you can’t count on family, who can you count on?
Friday noon hitched a ride with my niece to the best lunchette in the world – my Mom’s lil’ sole proprietorship, Williamsburg Kitchen. When did my nieces & nephew all learn to drive? And why again was my niece not in school…on a Friday? HA!
Post-work day, family loaded in my brother’s SUV — destination: Little Rock. Mom sprung for a set of hotel rooms, night before my final marathon of 2016. Over-the-top nice, huh? Thanks Ma.
Crack of dawn wake-up (345am alarm). Last trolley to the Start: 5am. Shed layers before I left my brother’s truck, already 64 degrees…gonna be cooking by noon.
‘3 Bridges’ Marathon so…should I assume three actual Bridges? Yep, pretty straight forward.
The course crosses the Big Dam Bridge at Miles 1 and 18, the Clinton Presidential Bridge at Mile 9, and the Two Rivers Bridge at Miles 19 and 26. The course is mostly flat, except for the three bridges.
Tagged 2 runners early, consistently pacing 8:40/miles. Would coast off these dudes to the Clinton Presidential Library. 9 miles, totally doable. Heavy humidity early on, like breathing in water (yep, it’s the South)…luckily, skies above stayed overcast so I didn’t bake.
the course? Urban trail. the view? Miles & miles of river. my attitude? FAAANNNTASTIC.
Lost my pacers a mile past the Library. Slowed waaaaaay down but didn’t stop, didn’t walk…and most importantly, no pills. Sub-2 first Half. Crazy muggy but didn’t really struggle until marker 20-21; puked at 22. Finished the day with ‘Boston’ Jim – guy wore a Tough Mudder tee & spoke fluent Yankee. Great attitude; made the last 4 miles completely bearable.
And my Finish? Sprinted it out with Boston Jim. Check out the pic – mighty close, you be the judge 🙂
K R Haga, Congratulations on Finishing the 3 Bridges Marathon!
Time: 4:35:41
13.1: 1:59:39
Post-marathon? Shower & fancy food with the Fam; insta-weather change. Outdoor temps dropped from 78 to 34 degrees during our 2 hour drive to Fort Smith. Guess I brought a little Colorado with me 🙂 Evening plans: Game night. Mighty good to be home.
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- count ’em, 3 Bridges
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- photo finish: me & Boston Jim — you be the judge 🙂
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- marathon #78, 2nd in Arkansas
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- 50 Stater, Dan Ruiz
