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
Each of the kids were introduced to Disney early in life, all were still in diapers. It’s one commonality they share.
25 years later, 2 of 3 still feel that magic. The force is strong with these two 🙂
Since finding my ‘forever home’ in Colorado, I often struggle with our distance & actively maintaining relationships. Dave’s a moderate-to highly operating autistic…has been since age 3. Now 21, he’s Level 2 on the spectrum: “requiring substantial support”. David has the truest heart of the 3, the kindest soul…but he will always need care. Physically strong, mentally adept – but trapped in a mind which misfires social signals. Always been Disney-motivated, super strong bond to his Mom. Plan B? My guest room in Colorado is adorned with Peter Pan memorabilia. Dave will always have a home.
Took advantage of an open-ended offer to join David & family sometime during their 3-week Disney adventure. Purchased airfare & a Park Pass, bed-shared at the family’s timeshare. Although not a fan of crowds…I do love my family. PLUS, crazy fun to see Dave & Michaela in their element/favourite place on Earth/where they feel most comfortable.
Quick shower after my Saturday morning marathon, shared two half-days at MGM Studios…sandwiched ‘round a full day at Magic Kingdom. Park rides, Disney princesses galore…and a whole lotta shows. FAAANNNTASTIC magical time!
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- Dave’s fave
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- Cinderella castle
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- who doesn’t love a parade?
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- Tigger: T-I-double-guh-er
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- YIKES!
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- hands UP for the big DROP
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- best photo-bomb EVER!
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- Beauty and Gaston 🙂
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- Star Wars showcased ‘front-n-center’
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- fake flakes in sunny Florida
Magic Kingdom 2016
MGM Studios 2016
5 consecutive weeks marathoning – hey, didn’t I already finish my 50 State Quest last May? Healthy addiction 🙂 Takes the mind off health issues/negative thoughts, provides daily goals – proving I can still marathon, even thru chemo.
After family invited [me] to join their Disney World vacation, I did what all Marathon Maniacs do: Calendar-checked for a nearby marathon. AND as luck would have, YES – the Orlando Marathon, a Veterans Day run in Winter Park.
Jetted work 2 hours early. Friday nite flight, Florida arrival just before midnight. Hotel, rental car, 5 hours shut-eye. Bib check-in at American Legion Post 112, an hour before race start. Post Commander gave a rousing speech about the importance of Veterans Day & serving our country. Hats off for the National Anthem. Air horn start…2 laps on Cady Way Trail.
Flat neighborhood trek, not super scenic – but ALL proceeds (100%) support War Veterans. Course not a BQ qualifier either…who cares, right? 27 miles – that’s .8 [miles] too much folks. Guess what’s another mile, bigger bang for your buck. LOL>
Miles 8 & 9 (21 & 22) looped a local shopping mall…bit odd. Weather however stayed fair. Sure it topped 80 degrees…but running in Florida, could’ve been far worse. Dropped pace on my 2nd lap – higher temps & lack of water – but stayed focused on the Finish.
Orlando Marathon
Bib # Name Time
254 Haga, K R 5:05:48
Keenan – You just finished your 76th marathon, what are you going to do next? I’m going to Disney World!! Yep, that’s exactly what I did. Ok, showered first but then, Disney-shuttled to MGM Studios. But that’s a story for another day 🙂
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- Veterans Day run in Winter Park
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- marathon SUCCESS & won my Age Group — FAAANNNTASTIC!
Thursday nite pre-race activity – Jersey Boys, my first in Denver’s Buell Theatre. Orchestra, Row C – FAAANNNTASTIC!
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- Broadway hit, Jersey Boys!!
Orlando Marathon (Veterans Day start)
