Race Recap: Fargo Half Marathon ~ Fargo, North Dakota

State # 8! Fargo, North Dakota. Happy 10th anniversary to the Scheel's Fargo Marathon! 10 Years Rockin'.

You know what happens when a marathon celebrates a BIG milestone...Yep, a cool medal, awesome swag and an unforgettable good time!  :) My quick getaway started off with a 6 am flight out of Omaha and a connection through Denver. With a super easy landing in FARGO! I grabbed some lunch at the airport while waiting for Jodi to land from Orlando. Then we were off to the Expo!

Fargo is super easy to get around. We were downtown within 5 minutes and found street parking close to the Fargo Civic Center. We picked up our bibs outside in the tents and headed inside to retrieve our shirts and bags. Being one of the first 25,000 registrants of the marathon, we received an Under Armour Fargo Marathon Bag! Swag # 1, check! Already, this race isn't disappointing.

The Expo was pretty good. Merchandise to purchase, free giveaways/contests and the usual busyness of an event. After we filled up our bag with the essentials, we decided to head back to the hotel to check in.

We met some 50 staters (new and old) for dinner at Santa Lucia. Can't go wrong with a little pre-race carb load! One of our 50 staters is completing her 50th state, 50th Half Marathon!
Way to go, Susan!!!!!

Saturday morning sure came early. I was so worried about traffic that I made Karen and Jodi get up at 5 am! I can still hear them cursing under their breath :) We got to one of the designated parking facilities with PLENTY of time. Can you hear it...that's Karen :) Any who...we were close to the YMCA which meant CLEAN bathrooms. So we decided to get in line to use them. Unfortunately, they ran out of toilet paper so we ended up using the port-a-potties instead. The line was actually shorter for these. We made our way up to the starting line at Veteran's Memorial Bridge shortly after that.

After a short prayer and the singing of the National Anthem, they released all the runners and bikers. I wish they would have let those with wheels go first.

The course was nice. Lots of turns to keep the mind busy. I didn't like the two long straightaways...but I never like straightaways. A few minor hills (just to get under roads above) but all in all, a flat course. The spectators were amazing and full of life. The aid stations were plentiful and needed at just the right time. Thanks for adding a few last aid stations. It's about the time people begin to pucker out and getting that last glass of water is sure nice.

The course was rearranged being the 10th anniversary so it brought us back to the Fargo Theatre. It was a great ending point. Lucky me, I was able to see the marathon winner finish his race. It's nice to cheer them on!

Not a bad time; 2:26:06. I got a little tired at the 12 mile mark. At the 11 mile mark I was just at 2 hours and I really thought I could PR. We had to run back over the starting line bridge and that is where I lost steam. It was a fun run and if I were EVER to make my way to Fargo again, I'd sign up. But I don't see myself ever traveling in that direction again :)

I really wanted a final picture near the Fargo sign but I just love Sonya's sooo much! Here SHE is!

 

And the best part, Mark Knutson, the race director went out and ran a marathon on his OWN after working ALL day! He ran to raise money for Shoes for Kids. Area businesses were donating a $1000/mile that he completed with a grad total of $26,000! His wife captured his journey for us to follow on Facebook. She was even the aid stations :)

 

State # 8

 

North Dakota

 

Half Marathon # 13

 

2:26:06

 

 

PROS: swag, easy access to events, course

CONS: getting to the post-race food. Maybe try lines with ropes next time. It was just one big mess.

             Let those with wheels go first. Felt bad for them as the runners were practically running   

             on top of them.

 

 

 

 

 Now I can honestly say...

 

 

Can't forget about Susan!

 





Race Recap: Lincoln Half Marathon ~ Lincoln, Nebraska

If you are on a quest to run all 50 states, this is YOUR Nebraska race. Finishing in Memorial Stadium was actually pretty cool; even coming from this non-Husker fan. The registration sells out in hours so I expect you to be on your computer ready to register. Even at 12:01 am on New Years Day!

I met Sonya and Jodi at the Expo ready to pick up our packets.

Jodi and Sonya had never been to Nebraska so we decided to walk around downtown. Let's just say we had fun with what we had! Sorry I walked us ALL over downtown!

Sally finally arrived and we went to the FREE pasta dinner! All you can eat spaghetti, salad, breadsticks and icecream! Not only was it free for the runners, but it was free for the public as well. Can't beat that! Time to get ready for bed there is a little race in the morning!

It's race morning. It was hard trying to meet up with everyone I said I was going to. I managed to meet the 50 State Half Marathon Club! Not a new state for me but it was for others!

Then I found my friends!! Hi girls!

The Lincoln National Guard

And we were off. It took almost 37 minutes just to get to the start line. I took this race as a fun run. I wasn't planning on a PR, but who wouldn't like one! I knew within the first 2 miles that it wasn't going to happen. I'm running Fargo next weekend so I just decided to have fun, walk when I need to, and take lots of pictures!

May the Fourth Be With You!

The course was okay. Crowd support was the BEST I have even seen. People lined up the entire marathon course. Not a single spot was empty. High-fiving kids and people yelling your name! Not to mention the volunteers at the water stops. Have you ever heard of water stops having cups with lids AND straws??? It was almost like your very own water bottle. Very nice.

Photo courtesy of the Lincoln Journal Star.

The course was hiller than I heard. I wasn't expecting that. I thought Lincoln was flat. Apparently, the race director found the only inclines in the entire city and purposely put them on this course! I decided since I finally figured I wasn't running for time to just walk the hills. It was a nice breather for me. I had to remember I was running Fargo next weekend. That this was just a training run.

Entering the last few miles was hard. Seeing Memorial Stadium was nice...but it was SO far away. How come the last couple of miles always have to be straightaways??? Making the turn into the tunnel was cool and then the sun and the turf was just ahead. Being on the jumbo tron was cool too! No one was there to watch me but I made sure to have a fun final picture...to follow...

Crossed the finish line at 2:41:17. Not my best by far. But a finish is a finish. I always say, "You get what you put into it." I hven't been training very well; just assuming I could just do long runs without training in-between. Well, it's time to step it up. After Fargo, it's time to get back into training mode. I know I'll be thankful later.

Not a new state

 

Half Marathon # 12

 

2:41:17

 

 

 

PROS: Crowd support, chocolate milk, local

CONS: My training (which only I can control)

 

See ya this Saturday for State # 8 in Fargo, North Dakota!



Getting excited!

I'm getting really excited for the Lincoln Half Marathon THIS Sunday! I'm excited for a home state run where I don't have to travel very far. No airplanes involved! I'm hoping for a cool morning and clear skies! Nothing like 12,000 friends going for a little run :)

Who else will be there?!!!

Part 2: First Double...The Good vs The Bad

With only 10 minutes to change, we were off to the airport. We arrived with just an hour to spare. A little traffic due to gawking at the cop car :) No big deal! With just a small layover at Chicago Midway, we boarded the next plane to Boston. If I was ever tired of flying, this was it.

First mistake of the weekend, forgetting to refill my water bottle in Seattle. Second mistake of the weekend, forgetting AGAIN to refill my water bottle in Chicago. Third mistake of the weekend, flying so damn far not realizing that dehydration could play a major impact on my heath.

3 time zones later we were in Boston. Have you ever flown into Boston before? I thought for sure we were going to land in the water. I kept picturing that pilot that landed in the Hudson River. For sure we were next. It was after 11 p.m., EST and we still needed to drive to the hotel. It actually was quicker than I had expected. What lies ahead I never thought would happen.

We woke up early. Not too early though. I lifted my head up off my pillow and felt dizzy. So dizzy that my head almost felt bobble like. I didn't say anything. I just thought maybe I was tired. Flying cross country was just insane! I gave it a few moments and lifted my head again.

The dizziness continued but it just felt weird. Nothing hurt miraculously. My muscles weren't even sore. I stood up and almost fell over. I couldn't even walk straight to the bathroom. I ran into the dresser and then into the wall. Water. Just drink water. So I did. I drank about 8 ounces and that's when the nausea set in.

What in the world is happening? I can't be sick. I just can't be sick. I kept telling myself to get it together. I started throwing up and it just didn't stop. Time was creeping in and they were leaving soon for the race. I knew I couldn't go. I just couldn't. Get it together! I stopped throwing up and I thought maybe, just maybe I could go. I could walk. Yes, I can walk. I left the bathroom and I still couldn't walk straight. Now how in the world am I going to walk 13.1 miles STRAIGHT. Literally, a straight line.

I gave in. And I quit. You think, no you didn't quit. But yes I did, I quit. Deep down yes, I did. I quit. I was defeated. I flew 3000 miles across the country to just quit. I missed this amazing opportunity to just sit in a hotel and sleep my day away. Realizing now, it was the best decision I ever made. I could have easily passed out on that course and became stranded in some hospital in Boston. Without luggage, my personal belongings, nothing.

I'm still pretty bummed about the entire situation. I never did run The New Bedford Half Marathon that day. But I do have a nice throw away shirt for my next chilly race morning.

 

See you in Lincoln, Nebraska!

May 4, 2014

Race Recap: Logan View Raider Run

Hooray for the 2nd annual Logan View Raider Run! My 7 a.m. run "through the country" was better than expected. I was a little worried about the heavy rains just hours before, but the gravel roads were okay with just a few muddy spots. I met some new and old friends! I even saw some friends from the Dizzy Goat!

Pre-race food the night before was fabulous! All runners received a FREE spaghetti dinner. Salad, garlic bread and dessert filled my plate. Yummy. It was nice to see the various running groups conversing and taking their group picture. I met Loree, a fellow 50 State Half Marathon Member. Nebraska makes state #45 for her!

For those of you wondering what a run "through the country" is...well, it's exactly how it sounds. I passed cows, tall corn, sunflowers and even came across a caterpillar crossing the road. I sure hope he made it. With maybe a mile of payment, the entire course was gravel that included PLENTY of hills. Aid stations were available about every 2 1/2 miles. Gatorade, water and jelly beans alternated the out and back course.

 

Aren't the sunflowers beautiful?!

I kept hearing, Nebraska's hilly? Well, it is! Check out this elevation change!

 

Even though the hills were a killer, it wasn't THAT bad. I managed to run the entire first half, hills and all. And chose to walk up the hills on the way back. See that last hill? Oh.my.word.



Oh...and you can't beat a half marathon for only $35!

After that last hill, I knew I was free. My running friends ran ahead and were already done. Probably enjoying my chocolate milk. Don't worry, I got some.

Hooray! We did it!

PROS: Nice hometown race, post-race food, pre-race food, COLD chocolate milk
CONS: Hills (but nobody can fix that), bad cell service, few spectators on course

Note to self: Don't forget to turn on your GPS watch BEFORE you start. I had to post-pone the start by about a minute. Thanks Susie! It's a good thing I know the race director :)

Not a new state

5th Half Marathon complete.

2:41:22

New Course Record!

2 min. 14 sec. off my PR :(

 

 

See ya in Utah...T-13 days!