Race Recap: 2nd Annual G.O.A.T.z Trail Run - 21 miles

It's been two days since those 21 miles. My mind is continuously running in circles wondering how I was even able to do it. I wanted to give up multiple times. And was really considering if just before the first loop (around 10.5 miles)...but something came over me. I wasn't going to quit. I'm not a quitter. I wanted that medal; NOT a ribbon :)

The day started about pretty bad. I got lost. Really lost. I went to the wrong entrance of Glenn Cunningham Lake. This is no small lake. I was on the complete opposite side of the darn thing. With only 20 minutes till gun time, I was frantically trying to find the entrance. At 7:50 am, I saw signs of hope! Phew...that part was over. I go over to check my bag...I forgot my water bottle. After running back to the car, I only had about 4 minutes to recollect myself. No time to really worry, which was probably a good thing.

After some quick directions from Papa Goat, aka Scott, we were off. The first few miles was pretty congested. Single file trail running. All is good. I'm really happy that I decided to go with the cold weather gear; long pants and long sleeves. It was a frisky 35 degrees. I figured with the generous 9 hour cut-off I was sure to get this run done. My intentions were to run the first 13.1 and walk the rest. Well, the first 13.1 took a little longer than I had hoped...

Trail running is hard. It takes dedication, determination and a different kind of runner. Someone I am not. I tripped over twenty times; rolled my ankle twice but never completely fell down (unlike the Dizzy Goat). I cried around mile 14. I wanted to quit around mile 17 but there was no where to go. I was even secretly trying to figure out a way to cut through the woods. But who am I kidding; I'd get lost. My legs were killing me and so were my hips. My 5 hour goal soon went out the window.

The encouragement from runners was amazing. It was probably the only thing that really kept me going. I decided to walk the uphill's and run the straightaways and downhill's. Then I couldn't even do that anymore. I had to walk the last two miles. My intentions where to run the last mile; finish strong. But it was an uphill.

I tried my hardest and I didn't quit. I wanted to! Did I mention that I had originally signed up for the 10.5 mile race but changed my mind. All for a medal...I'm just crazy. That pretty much sums it up. I came into the finish running at 5:38:31. People lapped me...I didn't care. I was done and ready to go home.

Will I run this again? Um...no. But I'm excited about the 12 hr Dizzy Goat trail run! The volunteers were spectacular, the food was stupendous and the runners were encouraging! I'm just not a trail runner. And I'm okay with that.

Special thanks to the G.O.A.T.z, Turkey's Aid Station, Mama's Pizza and Red Dirt Running. The chili was amazing and the salt pill was exactly what I needed. And a special thanks to the volunteers who got all the thistles out of my pants. And I LOVE my shirt.

Kudos to all of those who finished (regardless of distance)...I'm in awe of your excellence. You all deserve a big pat on the back. Thanks for letting me tag along.

See you in Tulsa...Route 66 Half Marathon!

Race Recap: Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon

Just 6 days after Iowa, I was off to Missouri. Kansas City was a blast but boy, was it COLD. A couple of awesome things happened at this race: another PR and I mooned up with Half Fanatics! And adding another state to my challenge wasn't half bad either.

After a 3 hour drive, we were in Kansas City. I said "we." Dan came with me! I know he probably didn't have fun, but it's nice having someone at the finish line waiting for you. We went straight to the Expo and picked up my race packet. I got a sweet white Dri-fit shirt and a small jar of BBQ sauce! The Expo had a lot of area businesses; chiropractors, health food industries and various other vendors. I was hoping for a little more. We did get pulled in by a vendor sporting this stick contraption. You've got tight muscles? Oh.my.word. This "thing" is amazing.

I wanted to purchase a "finishers" shirt. Instead of just purchasing a shirt, you could have one made anyway you like. I wasn't a fan of any of the vinyl iron on decals nor the price. So I opted out of getting a shirt. The Expo building was attached to our hotel so we walked over and checked in. The Sheraton was a gorgeous hotel with a great view of downtown. The only complaint I would have about the hotel was the unavailability of late check out. Most Host Hotels will offer late check out to their runners...not this one. I feel sorry for those running the Marathon and not getting done before noon.

 

 

 

 

Dan and I walked around the Crown Centre. We had pizza for dinner at d'Bronx and went back to the hotel. GREAT pizza. I laid out my running clothes and went to sleep.

 

 

 

Saturday morning came early. I couldn't sleep. I got dressed and just sat there...waiting! I decided to go downstairs and walk near where the starting line would be. It was sooo cold outside that the runners were all coming into the Crown Centre just to stay warm. I was able to meet up with the Half Fanatic and 50 States group! Met some new people and saw some old ones! I wish it was warmer so I could meet everyone. Pic was taken and we all went back inside!

 

 

 

The race started and things were going well. The first mile was a long "gentle" uphill. Not too bad. What comes after a "gentle" uphill...a DOWNHILL! I decided this race that I was going to take advantage of those downhill's. I normally don't want to over stride and hurt my knee but I felt good and I was flying past runners. The short, "steep" uphill around mile 3.5 was exactly that...steep. I decided to walk up this hill. I wasn't going to waste my energy on that stupid thing. Can you guess what came next? A DOWNHILL!!

 

I kept watching my Garmin...ahead of pace. 10 min miles. I was staying consistent, real consistent. That never happens. I thought could I actually get another PR just 6 days after my last one? I decided at that moment that I was and I kept chugging. The weather was so cold. The wind didn't help much either. The buildings were blocking the sun which made me want to run faster. I just kept thinking the quicker I get this run over with the quicker I can get warm.

 

The split came and the FULL marathoners continued straight and the HALF marathoners made a left turn. I had a quick thought of a fellow Half Fanatic who made a wrong turn and I wasn't going to do that :) Go Gwen!!

 

The run was quite scenic. We ran past the War Memorial, through Westport and past the Plaza. There was a ton of crowd support with fun signs that made me laugh. I would like to say a personal thank-you to the random crowd supporter with the box of Kleenex. I really needed to blow my nose. Thank-you! The miles kept increasing and I decided to just take it.

 

 

Around mile 12, the wheelchair winner was coming in along with the FULL marathon winner. It was cool seeing them come in with a police escort. I've never seen that before. But I guess I've never been this fast before. I was making it into the home stretch and saw a fellow Fanatic, and then I saw Dan! I looked at my watch as I crossed the finish line: 2:19:58. I did it. I FINALLY broke 2:20 and I set another PR. Thanks Kansas City for an amazing time.

 

Home stretch.                                                               Photo captured by KC Marathon FB page.

 

 



State # 5

 

Half marathon # 8

 

New PR:   2:19:58

 

 

PROS: great scenic views, crowd support, BBQ sandwiches, mylar blankets, medal

CONS: no late check-out, COLD

 

 

 

 

 

See ya Sunday at the 2nd Annual Trail run with the G.O.A.T.z! I'm running 21 miles!



 







MCM must go on!!

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2013 Chicago Marathon: Sights and Sounds All Along The Route

2019...I will be there.

Race Recap: COUNCIL BLUFFS HALF MARATHON

Iowa complete! It was a chilly morning for running but I'm glad I decided to go with the short sleeves (with some help of course). Love you NU!

I was skeptical about this race. One of the directors from Half Fanatics warmed me that this race director is notorious for cancelling races. The USRA Running Half Marathon Series fortunately didn't cancel this race...but often made me believe that they were. Up until 5 days before the race, there was no location for packet pickup. The original location was cancelled. The website had information posted from last years race; no updates. I heard that this company offers no refunds; just transfers to other races nearby. I began emailing the director and he reassured me that Council Bluffs was going on! (always with exclamation points) What really got me worried was that the race was deleted from the Halfmarathons.net website.

I also went to their Facebook page. How come a running group SO BIG has only 1,379 likes? Well, updates began pouring in (four days before race day). They found a location for packet pickup. The website was updated with a race start/finish address. Things were finally coming together. I picked up my race "packet" and headed right back home. It was that fast. No lines. I was able to choose my shirt size; that I liked.

Race day was here. I was ready to complete my 4th state and 7th half marathon. I came early; too early. I could not find anyone or anything. And I honestly thought, oh my word, it's cancelled. But I kept driving around that stupid lake and finally found people outside setting up arrows for the race. Shelter 6 they say; hidden way back by the lake. As I wait in my car (it's freezing outside), I try to stay warm. I still have no idea if I'm wearing long sleeves or short. A minute before the "go", I switched to short. So glad I did.

I didn't take any pictures on this run. It was an out and back; x 3. x 3? We ran around Lake Manawa for about 5 miles, turned around and ran back. Then switched to another out and back. The turn around was at 11.5 miles. The one thing I didn't like about that out and back was the tunnel. I almost felt claustrophobic. My eyes couldn't adjust. Then I had to run back into the tunnel. I took a peak at my watch around the 12 mile mark and realized I could actually PR. I wanted to run easy because of Kansas City next weekend...but I couldn't let this opportunity be passed up! So I took it.

I finished at 2:25:38 a new PR. The route was nicely labeled. Water stations were manned by Creighton University students. They did a great job! The weather was beautiful and the paths were clean. Post race food? What can I say, hard chocolate chip cookies, fig newton bars and Gatorade. I wanted food and chocolate milk. None available.

I would like to know where my $65 dollars went. I got a COTTON short sleeve shirt with a cheesy medal.  I can literally bend the medal in half. This guy is making a lot of money. From last years website, Half Marathoners were promised a Dri-Fit shirt. When they redid the site, that was removed. I'll never run under this group again.

Google: Reinke Sports Group for questions you might have.

 

Check out my cheesy medal.

 

 

PROS: Labeled course, water stations

CONS: Medals, Reinke Sports Group, USRA Half Marathon Series, post race food.

 

 

State # 4

 

Half Marathon # 7

 

 

 

See ya this Saturday in Kansas City, MO!