Overcast & cool, low morning temps.  FANTASTIC marathon morn!  Late sleep-in too.  Downtown Minneapolis Start super close to my Westin overnight digs.

8am Start, Corral 2.  No longer hung up on starting in an early corral.  If I could break 5 hours again, that’d be a victory.  Diet on point.  Training miles met.  Morning acid blocker taken, pain pill safely stored for marathon 2^nd Half.  4:45 goal today.  Never been a runner who’s super time consumed.  Ultimately wanna bring my finish under 4 hours again.

Point-to-point course, Minneapolis to St Paul.  Started 7 minutes after the Elites.

Minnesota’s known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes.  Majority were represented today.  First 13 miles, LAKE scenic.  Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet, Lake Nokomis, Lake Hiawatha.  1:58 Half, first sub-2 since Spring.  Porta-potty, refueled.  Nothing extra ‘til mile 15.  Skies stayed overcast, wind blew cold.  Thankful for gloves – GREAT conditions.

So what makes the Twin Cities Marathon so popular?  CROWD SUPPORT.  Not just Aid Station volunteers, city residents line this course.  Mile 1 thru mile 26.  Absolutely serious.  Spectators even on the abandoned miles, like mile 17 – past the Half, well before the Finish.  NEVER do you see folks miles 15 thru 21.  40’s/overcast/slight wind – near PERFECT when you’re running, but standing/cheering on participants, WOW!  Bundled in coats, had to be cold.  Top 10 marathon of my life.  AMAZING crowds.

130 marathons, all unique, no repeats.  Warm ❤️ for Minnesota.  Same kinda crowds at Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, my first ever sub-4 (June 2014).  Think I’ve found a 2nd run home.  Easy airport travel, cool Spring/Autumn weather.  Tag.

Quarter-mile walk at 18, another quarter-mile break at marker 23.  Crossed the mighty Mississippi at mile 19.  Breezy, cold & BEAUTIFUL.  Marathon’s only actual incline (mile 21), killed it.  Saw the approach early.  Head down, arms pumping, pushed thru the top.  9:36/min pace.  Best pace of 2^nd Half.  I run HILLS at home 😊

Big fade at 23, then an unexpected second wind.  What?  10/min pace last two marathon miles.  Not earth-shattering for most – but 24 miles into a marathon, HUGE success.

STRONG FINISH at Minnesota’s State Capitol dome.  4-hour pacer started a Corral ahead, 4:30 runners never caught me.  He’s baaaaack.  Minnesota x2 SUCCESS!  Diet, meds or result from tens & tens of pre-dawn training miles.  Good to feel good again!  ALL IN.  CHANGING NOTHING rest of October.

Theatre at the Guthrie.  Front row seat, benefit of travelling solo.  Work day Monday…but tonite, Frankenstein – he’s ALIVE!

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

 

K R Haga   Louisville, CO

TIME  4:20:39

 

24M    3:57:12

30K     2:58:50

13.1M   1:57:59

Twin Cities Marathon