South

Home of the Clintons

Published February 28, 2015

When you tell folks you’re flying to Little Rock, Arkansas, everyone thinks of the Clintons – no worries, I wouldn’t disappoint this trip.

Arrived in Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport, greeted by family – mom, brother, sister-in-law & niece – who travelled to Little Rock to support me at marathon #21 of my 50 State Quest. Best family ever!

Another unexpected cold snap in the deep South (Mississippi, South Carolina, now Arkansas) – perfect! Grey overcast skies (snow yesterday) – luckily had indoor activities planned in Arkansas’ capital city.

Bib pick-up, check. Next stop, lunch – Maddie’s Place, a Creole restaurant 2 doors down from the Cross-Eyed Pig 🙂 Food did not disappoint. Where else can one fill their pre-race belly with fried green tomatoes? YUM!

Googled top 10 things to do in Little Rock. All paths led to the Clinton Presidential Library. Library, seriously? These days I skim-read news headlines; haven’t actively read books since earning a MBA 10 years ago.

Luckily no Dewey Decimal system or card catalogue on today’s tour. Witnessed everything Clinton in these halls – thru film, photos & White House memorabilia. Clinton was a likeable President, super charismatic.

Completed our afternoon at the Old State House. This historical corridor-riddled building told Arkansas’ past, of its governors, its first ladies & of course Bill Clinton, first elected Governor at age 32.

President-Elect Clinton greeted the American public from this spot when elected in 1992. Lotta history here.

Ended the day with flaming queso at MarketPlace Grill. FANTASTIC day, surrounded by family. Super pumped, ready to run. Just wait ‘til tomorrow – a little freezing rain won’t slow me down 🙂

: Happy Saturday from Little Rock!

: Maddie at Maddie’s Place

: fried green tomatoes – YUM!

: a Monet (bottom right)

: Oval Office replica

: “Dear Valentine” — at the Peanuts exhibit

: the mighty Arkansas River

: my lovely Mom

: Mom & her Lumberjack son

: flaming queso – a family tradition

Posted in Family, South | Tagged museo, rivers-lakes, us-presidents | Leave a comment

Myrtle Beach Marathon

Published February 14, 2015

530am bus pick-up from Breakers Resort – early start, still dark & 28 degrees. Not as originally thought when I signed up for my South Carolina marathon run. That said, I’m a cold weather runner. 28 degrees – bring it on! Laced up, ready to run.

Lotta locals in parkas & an announcement this would be Myrtle Beach’s last Valentine’s Day race start – moving the event to March next year, in search of warmer weather. Today’s finisher’s medal would feature flip-flops – uh…no beach attire this day. HA!

Donning a thermal wrap (Las Vegas Marathon leftover), ran 2 miles in my cape before disposing in a municipal can. Sunshine & the Atlantic Ocean were visible early – cold but SPECTACULAR!

Flat course so folks had me thinking PR all day. In hindsight, think I need hills to mix up pace or find I run flat-footed, lose form – running solely from my calves, not utilizing enough quad & hip strength.

Made the turn at mile 18 & met strong [ocean] headwinds the last 8 miles. Tough on pace, tough on the spirit – but whatta beautiful course. Pushing hard, wind blowing – felt I was running in place, making no forward progress at times.

Slogged in my last 2 miles, no PR, no sub-4 this day – but marathon 20 done & in the books, 3^rd 26.2 of 2015.

Couldn’t think of a better way to avoid Valentine’s Day 🙂

Congratulations K R Haga
on completing the
Marathon
Your Finish Time:
04:12:09.263

Woke Sunday 3am – hour half drive to Florence SC. On & off 2 planes, neither actually left the airport. High winds cancelled all air travel – U.S. Airways moved passengers by bus to Charlotte, 2 hours away. Missed my connection but thankfully arrived home same day – Charlotte to Dallas, Dallas to Phoenix, Phoenix to Denver. Crazy travel day. Several of my running family spent Sunday night stranded in Dallas, Houston & Memphis – woes of winter travel.

Walked thru the door – crazy wildly, greeted by Ro. Home, sweet Colorado, home 🙂

: feelin’ all Ray Charles — note to self: drop the shades next marathon 🙂

: windy run along the Atlantic

: 20 down, 30 to go! Still on track – Steamboat 2016!

: never forgets his Papa

Posted in Marathons/Ultras, South | Leave a comment

Alligator Adventure

Published February 13, 2015

As the clock struck midnight, this Cinderfella cued for his 3^rd red-eye of 2015. Marathon #20 destination: South Carolina.

today’s travel log – cheap flight to Florence SC Regional Airport (via Charlotte), followed by an hour half drive to Myrtle Beach. [always looking to save a buck – this 50 State Quest isn’t cheap – crazy, alternative travel plans add flavor to the journey.]

Myrtle Beach. Hmmm…ocean. downside: coldest temps of the year. 40mph wind gusts off the Atlantic made for a chilly 25°.

Runner Expo, bib pick-up – then phoned to confirm my Alligator Adventure was still a possibility. Alligators don’t feed during winter months but because they’re sluggish in the cold, I’d most likely be able to hold one. Sweet!

Gator shows are pure redneck entertainment – and that’s ok by me 🙂 Didn’t understand much of the young showman’s dialect (subtitles would have helped) – but impressed to see him pull out one, then two juvenile gators for our small crowd.

[First reptile nipped him. Wrapped electrical tape on his wound, then tossed the small gator back. Blood ran down his hand, which he promptly rinsed in the sludgy pond, before grabbing a 2nd gator by the neck. Yep, redneck entertainment – LOL>]

Having missed out on seeing gators before both Louisiana & Florida marathons, today satisfied my curiosity.

Hotel check-in & a pasta dinner rounded out evening activities. [Met 2 marathoners from Wisconsin while in Jackson MS’ airport last month & kinda invited myself along to dinner tonite. Thanks again Toni!]

Early to bed, early to rise – 26.2 South Carolina miles loom ahead in the a.m. FAAANNNTASTIC!