#41 done – next weekend: Baltimore
Having lived in Connecticut for 9 years, two things I remembered ‘bout the Hartford Marathon: (1) scenic Bushnell Park finish & (2) it always, always rains – cold, heavy rain…not just a sprinkle.
Fast forward to 2015 & my first Hartford Marathon – woke Saturday to SUNSHINE & cool morning temps. FAAANNNTASTIC!
8am start — lined up across from the Capitol dome (7th dome on my journey).
Started out fast, crossed the Connecticut River at mile 4 into East Hartford, then out to South Windsor on Highway 5 just past the half. Least scenic portion of today’s run, 10 miles of out-n-back highway (mentally zoned out, time suffered)…returned to East Hartford at mile 23. Back over the river, climbed up Hartford’s historic Founders Bridge at mile 25 before re-circling downtown.
Whole lotta memories. Worked downtown at Deloitte & Touché (CPA firm) just outta college; Hartford Whalers (NHL) played across the street. 100 years ago, never pictured myself finishing a marathon. Running down Pearl, passing the City Place II Building, remembered that first ‘real’ job.
2 long blocks more, left on Trinity, then crossed under Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Arch into Bushnell Park. Not my strongest finish but 41st state complete.
K R Haga at Eversource Hartford Marathon 2015 (short complimentary race video)
- one race, 2 medals – Hartford Marathon & the New England Double (completed Vermont & CT same year)
- Marathon Maniac family — TITANIUM, baby — 30 marathons, 30 states, in 365 days! WOW! WOW! WOW!
Hartford Marathon
#1062 K R Haga Net Time 4:35:41
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- Connecticut’s state capitol dome
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- downtown Hartford
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- autumn colour & city skyline in Finishers’ Village
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- one race, 2 medals — completed the New England Double (VT & CT same year)
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- trifecta pose — Vermont, Connecticut & New England Double
Sweet Home Alabama – marathon #22. Super psyched to be part of Montgomery’s 1st FULL marathon.
Didn’t sleep well nite before – sometimes for whatever reason, you just wake up not feeling it. Unfortunately, one of those days – gotta suck it up, pull up my big boy pants & post a result. Can’t finish what you don’t start.
Arrived early, welcomed with drizzle & warm temps. Pop, ran heavy for 4 miles, then tagged a local running group racing the Half, throwing 8 minute miles. Chatted 30-45 minutes, nice folks. Big hill at mile 10 & they were gone.
First 12 miles were gorgeous – old historical buildings, Alabama’s Capitol Dome, ran thru 2 campuses (Alabama State & Huntingdon).
Entered Maxwell AFB at mile 14. Shirt drenched from miles of drizzle & high humidity – struggled to wipe my face, salt burned my eyes. LOVED the first mile, support from servicemen & their families – and the planes. Double liked the planes. Miles 15-23 however, not so much. Sun, dusty airfields, nothing scenic. Concentration loss. Ran loops within the AFB – felt trapped for hours. Both 4 & 4:15 hour pace groups caught & passed me. Rough day, ran dehydrated.
Off Base, re-entered downtown, regained some form. Last hill – top of mile 25. Volunteers assured all downhill now (thanks). Half-mile to go, circled Riverwalk Stadium & ran thru the infield to the Finish.
UGGGGH-LY but I snagged another medal. Shook the Mayor’s hand (that was kinda cool), walked 20-30 feet more, then dropped to the ground. Sucked down two bottles of water & laid in the sun. Tough day.
Montgomery Marathon
Place Bib Finish Time
132 2075 K R Haga 4:38:33
It’s only March – gotta make peace with da heat.
Heading home, licking my wounds, then it’s Jersey shore baby – next race in 2 weeks.
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- State #22 done – check Alabama off the list
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- Alabama’s Capitol Dome
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- PSers tracking my journey at work (thanks Ash – awesome gift)
Snow on Friday, cool overcast but dry on Saturday (great day with family) – so what would race day weather hold?
Freezing drizzle.
Cold, yes – cold & freezing rain, kinda tough. That said, Little Rock cancelled last year’s marathon – can’t afford any more cancellations…too many $$ tied up in airfare. Rain, heat, sleet, snow – bring it on. I’m running.
Suited up, running beanie & a rain jacket – parked a half mile away & walked in with my Mom & bro. I’ll say this over & over – nothing like running with family. Lined up late so queued way back – more than 2 minutes behind clock time.
Slower than normal start, legs felt like bricks in the rain. At mile 4, heard the 3:55 pace group behind me – already? Seriously? Turns out this was the motivation needed. Picked up my stride, settled into the tunes & actively flexed my gloved hands to keep fingers from going numb. I run in snow – winter rain is a whole different animal.
Passed the Capitol dome at mile 11. Thought I’d see family at mile 18 or 19 – kept me motivated (unfortunately, traffic trapped them Downtown). Stopped under the race clock at mile 20, downed some Frog Fuel, a swig of water, re-focused & pushed hard. First time since November pacing ahead of 4 hours, 20 miles in.
Right leg started cramping at mile 25. Ran too many hills, drank too little water – had to power through.
Approaching the Finish, saw my first 3 hour clock. Never have I crossed sub-4 under the clock (previous sub-4s have only been official time). Mentally – a HUGE moment!
Sub-4! – first of 2015 & by far my hilliest. Minute+ slower than Indy (PR marathon run with my sis). Nothing but smiles, I’ll take it – FAANNNNTASTIC!
LITTLE ROCK MARATHON 2015 RESULTS
1151 K HAGA Marathon 3:56:39.8 9:01/mile LOUISVILLE CO
Have seen Mom 3 times since November. Will see bro & his family again in 3 weeks (Colorado ski weekend). And sis? Next month at Go! St. Louis, my Missouri marathon & USA half-way mark (25th state). Life is good, really really good 🙂
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- cold, rainy, lotta hills – AND my first sub-4 of 2015. Booyah! So much family support – BEST weekend!
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- mile 11 – LOVE capitol domes
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- snuggling on the couch – time to turn UP the heat
