Marathon Morning!
Left my Narragansett B&B before 6am, crossed RI’s scenic Jamestown-Verrazano bridge into Newport, then 20 minutes to Second Beach in Middletown to catch the marathon Start Line bus.
Wilted 2 weeks ago in 90 degree Nebraska heat. This day I shivered in short sleeves – morning temp, a chilly 39°. Gonna start packing a variety of clothes during the season change – lesson learned. That said, LOVE running in cool weather – not a hot weather person, don’t think that’s ever gonna change.
Waved at the race drone hovering overhead, then ran alongside ocean the first few miles. Whatta view! Felt really good early on – kept pace with the 3:45 race pack thru mile 15. There I grabbed water & my race pack posse was gone.
Kept pace to mile 17 where I saw my CT bestie Dawn at the Sachuest Nat’l Wildlife Refuge. Haven’t seen Dawn since last September in Iceland. Bestest mile 17 pick-me-up ever!
Hills started at mile 18 and didn’t let up ‘til mile 24. Yep, even oceanside marathons have hills – LOL>
Shuffle-ran to the Finish – ugly form but whatta 180 turnaround from Nebraska.
383 K R Haga 4:17:22 LOUISVILLE CO
He’s baaaaack – 12 marathons in the bag, 38 states (& 6 continents) to go!
[Slipped in my continent stat – a man can dream, right? 🙂 ]
Spent an hour at Point Judith soaking in sun & ocean breezes at my favourite lighthouse.
Ended Rhode Island, dining waterside at MatuNuck Oyster Bar in Wakefield. Seared scallops & risotto – YUM! Last fine dined with Stephen & Dawn in Akureyri, Iceland. Warning World: these 2 set the bar high!
Completely-over-the-top race weekend – good food & even better friends. 2014 top 5 memory.
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- marathon with an ocean view 🙂
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- double fist pump – Newport Marathon finisher!
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- favorite lighthouse – 10 minutes south of Narragansett
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- oysters in bourbon chipotle butter
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- seared scallops & risotto – YUM!
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- Hello Ro – LOVE this guy!
A week of solid prep & excitement to be East Coast-bound, proved good mojo for my Sunday marathon in Newport RI.
Landed just after midnight Friday in Hartford CT & spent half the next day visiting family – starting with breakfast at the Cosmic Omelet. Living 2 time zones away, always good to see family.
Hit the highway at 1pm, driving thru rain but not dampening my spirit. Caught the tail end of fall foliage on the Mass Pike – BEAUTIFUL. LOVE our Colorado Aspens but nothing like autumn in New England – blazing reds, orange & yellows.
Had scheduled a sailing trip as my pre-marathon Rhode Island activity but unfortunately was cancelled due to stormy seas. Picked up my [marathon] race packet in Middletown RI – and the rain clouds parted. Sweet!
What to do? Briefly walked along Second Beach (expecting more tomorrow on my marathon run), then a 10 minute drive to Newport. Big sailing ships & Newport’s infamous Cliff Walk. Have-to, highly recommended; Check, done 🙂
Snapped a few pics in the harbor. SPECTACULAR sunset — light peeped thru the dissipating storm clouds. Today’s WOW shot.
Capped off the evening with a clam roll at Flo’s Clam Shack – carbo loading New England style 🙂
When making the decision to reboot my life 5 years ago, I was torn between Boulder & Narragansett RI – mountains vs. ocean. Both locales still tug hard at my soul. No regrets – I love my Colorado life – but Rhode Island will always hold a special place in my heart. Expect I’ll always come back.
Thanks Stephen for playing chauffeur – most awesome day!
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- Newport harbour
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- Rhode Island sunset – WOW!
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- mansion hike w/ an oceanview
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- Cliff Walk caution
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- Flo’s Clam Shack – highly recommended!
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- clam roll carb loading — no stopping me tomorrow
A week later, Nebraska’s now a part of the past.
Back up in the early a.m., 6 gym days last week, & cut back on complex carbs (bread). Still struggling with performance (pace is off, 9+ minute/miles) but re-dedicated myself to the process again.
For most endurance runners, it’s generally not physical – it’s a matter of repairing the mental.
Positive energy
Before crashing each evening, been surrounding myself with inspiring videos & upbeat vloggers. Easy to get tagged/bogged down with everyday negativity – lotta unhappy people out there. Key is to acknowledge weakness, not to judge (easier to point out shortfalls than to walk in someone else’s shoes) and avoid long time exposure to toxins.
Unhappy folks have to want to be helped. It’s a tough cycle to break.
Vloggers
I cycle through YouTube vloggers as my mood & interests change. Backpackers, 14er climbs, sky runners.
Currently following young upbeat individuals from LA, DC, Toronto, Indiana & the UK. Nothing heady or life-changing here but their upbeat can-do attitudes are a nice 5-minute diversion. They believe anything is possible – that’s the key, right?
