Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky: Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon

I ran the Run the Bluegrass half marathon in March 2018 and somehow convinced the family to drive from New England to race country in Kentucky.  The race is self-proclaimed as America's prettiest half marathon.  The race course spans from the track and Kneeland through roads that take you to several horse farms and back to the track.  

I happen to be writing this in 2021 - on the same weekend as the race.  

The drive was a bit of a stretch for the kiddos - but there was a plan. Caroline was going to be in Kentucky with her family - so the kids could see each other.  I call that a parent win - kiddos enjoyed the visit.

The race expo was hoppin!  Some of the race memorabilia for purchase sold out during the expo.  I was hoping to add to the trucker hat collection.  Packet pickup was organized as well.  Pick up your bib, grab your race shirt, stickers, or any other swag.  Things were so well organized I would consider doing this race again!  And of course, it felt like a back-yard party at the expo.

Race day started off a bit on the cooler side, so I dressed up in way more layers than were needed.  Fortunately, the main building was large enough to hold a crowd of runners, support indoor lines in and out of the bathroom, and pre-race yoga.  A great start to a half marathon.

The Pre-Race Selfie

Race day was a bit chilly so I layered up - should have brought some throw-away items!  The course warmed up fast!  I stopped along the route to remove some layers- this caused me to lose a few minutes on the course.  So did a pit stop or two during the race.

The race course is a bit hilly - more on the back half than the front half.  Mile 9 was THE WORST.  The signs on the hill were entertaining and great motivators.  My favorite was "Ain't no time for Walken" with a picture of the infamous Christopher Walken.  

No race is complete unless you have a post-race medal-wearing selfie!

It was nice to have the family at the finish line and to see them cheering runners on.  I saw the fam right before I crossed the finish line 💗.  The kids asked what took me so long.  Ha!  My pace is a bit on the slower side.  After all, I don't really train...

This race was a PR for me: 2:20:55 for a finish time without much training.  I have no clue how long my longest run was prior to race day.  I'm pretty sure I ran the Little Rock Marathon before this race.

Cannot leave Kentucky without some bourbon crafted by the race sponsor

Curious about the gear, pros and cons? Here is a readers digest synopsis of my experience with this race:

Shoes: Topo Flylite 2

Compression: I don't remember...

Pros: Felt like a party, race signs, perfect running weather, near Bourbon country, Half Marathon PR

Cons: Hilly back half 

Race injuries: Nada! I felt great 😁

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 running shoes.  I would consider doing this again but fly rather than drive.

Denial is more than a river

I started getting back into running in late 2017 and struggled a bit with hills and runs. My “summer” pace as I called it hovered around a 10:30 to 12:00 mile with the thought that hot and humid days were just going to be tougher runs because humidity makes it harder to breathe. I looked forward to spring and fall just so I could do a 9:30 mile for shorter runs. I accepted that while I liked hills, I would be walking up them to keep my heart rate down or walk at the top because my chest hurt too much. There were times my watch showed a 180+ pulse with me gasping for air and pausing to alleviate the tightness. This feeing happened on slow runs with fast friends, when I was sprinting toward the finish of several races, and the day Angie and Tracy said “you need to see a doctor. You sound bad” while running the Essex Steam Train Half Relay. The wheezing was loud in the upper airway but I felt my usual “normal” while running.

My friends told me I sounded bad in October of 2019. I did not see my primary doctor for a diagnosis until late March 2020. Denial is a powerful thing.

I reviewed my symptoms: rapid pulse, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and symptoms alleviated with walking. Cough and runny nose were in there, but I realized this after the diagnosis.

The first step with the diagnosis was to try an albuterol HFA.

“Inhale two puffs 15 minutes before exercise.” Okay... I have some planning to do for runs. Know when I want to go out, use the magic “puffer.” Okay... I was skeptical since side effects of albuterol include a rapid heart rate and cough.

I was *finally* diagnosed with exercise-induced bronchospasm over a year ago (around the time the pandemic started) and continued to have disbelief.  My first run following instructions was proof that I was over-due for albuterol.  Going up the hill to complete mile one: not so bad. Stops to catch my breath: three in my three mile run.  Baseline: at least five stops sans albuterol.  There was also a change in heart rate zones.  Albuterol helped to lower my average pulse while running - so much for the side effect of an elevated pulse!  I was off to a good start.  I mentioned that cough and runny nose were part of the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.  I did not notice these until after I started treatment.  I attribute this as self-awareness rather than being aware of the textbook reasons.  I noticed that mucous production was higher after a run - it seemed less with albuterol.  I also noticed that I did in-fact have a weak cough with a fuzzy feeling in my chest for 20-30 minutes after a run.  That fuzzy feeling is the bronchospasm.

I asked for Singulair at my next appointment to help reduce the need for a bronchodilator.  Can one pill manage the symptoms: yes and no.  Singulair helped control the amount of mucous.  I went from blowing my nose several times after a run to maybe once or twice.  Part of the denial aspect was having the mindset that adding medications was cheating.  I should be able to handle everything with exercise and the more I run, the better things will get, right?  Obviously, things did not get better.  Running continued to present the same breathing challenges until I added medications to support breathing.  This is not cheating, either.  Athletes use interventions such as bronchodilators and oral medications like singulair to decrease the work of breathing.

Using the phrase denial is more than a river encompasses the essence of my thought process.  I was in denial about the need to breathe just a bit easier.  I thought everyone felt like they were dying while running.  Maybe I was not strong enough and needed to lift more weights.  No one feels like they are dying while running unless it is race day.  My body should not have felt like I could not breathe on a regular run at my average pace.  Things have improved since starting on the breathing regimen.  I hope to break a PR 5K for me: Run a 5K in less than 27 minutes, run a 10K under 59 minutes, a half marathon in 2 hours, 25 minutes, and a marathon under 4 hours, 55 minutes.  The goals are achievable now that I can breathe easier.

Virtual ain't the same: Completing a virtual half marathon

 Virtual Half Marathon: Carlsbad Half Marathon 2020

I signed up for this virtual half to help me keep track achieve training goals and prepare Run the Alamo with Caroline in 2021.  Well, the great city of San Antonio decided it would not allow the race organizers to have a portion of the course because of COVID (yet allowed indoor sporting events).  The race organizers felt compelled and cancelled the 26.2 mile event and defer all 2021 registrants to 2022.  Okay... sigh.  Moving forward there are two 26.2 mile events planned in the near future: the Delaware Running Festival & Grandma's Marathon.  

Digressing, I signed up for the virtual half pre-injury and completed it on a planned post-travel rest day.  The original goal was to complete it during the actual Carlsbad Marathon weekend.  But MTSS happened and my left leg had other plans.

My longest run since re-starting was for miles and I could not find my albuterol HFA today.  But, I finished under my intended goal of 3 hours.  So a short long run and no inhaler.  How did I do? Not bad - and better than my goal of three hours.

Lets start at the beginning.  How did I find out about this marathon?  Well, I was eyeballing Carlsbad for California but decided on another race that may fit my introverted tendencies.  Then comes along an ad on social media after searching for my version of a Goldilocks virtual half marathon because virtual runs are not the same.  Translated in my speak: which event has the best swag?

Two shirts, a bib, medal, and a pint glass?  Yes please! 

Preparation was supposed to be easy after completing a 10K in the fall.  My body had other plans after I stopped weighted workouts: MTSS or Shin splints.  The decision to stop running for a while was difficult but the worst case scenario: stress fractures, would mean no running for a longer period of time.  

I completed the run in the megalopalis of New London, CT because it is fairly pedestrian friendly and all the touristy spots to see along the way.  Watch time is not strava time! 

Mile 1: The United States Coast Guard Academy.

Outside the gates of CGA

Mile 2: Somewhere on the Conn College Campus

Hi from one of the mist expensive colleges in America :)

Mile 3: Outside of the Lyman Allan Art Museum

Mile 4: A neighborhood tribute

Black lives matter

Mile 5: A fountain on the corner of Bank and Shaw Street

A fountain donated to New London

Mile 6: I miss Fred's Shanty!!!

Can't wait for Fred's Shanty to open!

Mile 7: Missed one here!

Mile 8: So many geese!  Glad none of them decided to chase me.

Not a fan of geese.

Mile 9: Oops. Missed another photo here.

Mile 10: Only 5k to go and at the pier!  Wahoo!!!

City Pier, New London

Mile 11: The wall was creeping up here!  But hey, there is the whale tail!

The Whaling City!

Mile 12: In the neighborhood.  Just needed to run a few extra blocks in and out of streets to get the mileage.

Mile 13: In the neighborhood

Mile 13.1: Finished before the ascent up the hill.  Strava time is 2:28:04 over 13.15 miles.

Just a two block walk to the house.

The title of this post is Virtual ain't the same.  And it is not for so many reasons, not all are listed here.  The first being race-day excitement. Sure, you can do a virtual run with a group of friends sans large crowd, blaring music, and course support.  Sometimes we need those motivators to keep us going and pick up the pace on the course.  There is no archway at the end or a clock to tell you how awesome you were.  There are no volunteers to don on your medal, no one is handing out space blankets, and there is no beer tent waiting to take your ticket.  You make your own post-run meal.

I miss running at a festival or race.  My post run meal was a salad with beef brisket because I did not feel like going to a restaurant solo.  I finished half of my post run beer because the comaradarie of sharing a post run pint was not there.  The positive from the experience was goal setting with increasing the long-run distance.  

I cannot wait for the virtual run as the gold standard to end.  I miss race day crowds and people.

Cost:

$70 for a virtual race with two shirts, race bib, medal, and a pint glass.  Everything was shipped to the house.

Downside: I had to hunt a bit to find out how to post my time to the Carlsbad website.

The Gear: 

Brooks Ugly Sweater Christmas 2020 beanie

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 running shoes, color 193

Goodr Runways in Breakfast run to Tiffany's

Under Armour Cold Gear hoodie

Nike 7/8 running tights

Camelbak hydration pack

Race Injury:

Got one large blister on my right foot.

So, I went back to South Carolina

 Myrtle Beach Marathon, 2020

Running along the strip in Myrtle Beach

I traveled to Myrtle Beach as we were amping up for a lock-down thanks to SARS-CoV-2.  This would be the last in-person marathon I run for a while.

Travel day was noting too unusual.  Fly in, grab luggage. The hotel had not shuttle so I hitched a ride via Uber to the hotel.  Note: Caroline and I stayed in the hotel recommended by the race organizers.  Great, makes lodging easy to book.  The down-side is that we were not extended a late check-out after running 26.2 and the hotel was rude about storing out bags while we ran.  The race was held during the start of spring break/tourist  season to the beach town.  It was not overly-crowded, either.  It would be nice to grant the late check-out to race participants since we  are helping to support the economy in the area.

The pre-race dinner and post-race lunch were at Dirty Don's Oyster Bar and ate tuna tacos for both meals.  Plus had a pint with each one.  

I managed to score a Bloody Mary from one of the few race spectators.

The course was flat as advertised and the crowd was not bad - not too much traffic.  But the spectator race support was not there.  You get used to this as a runner and it helps with motivation.  There were a couple of golden nuggets with this marathon: the post-race party was chill, finishers medal and tank (yes! two race shirts).  I still sport the finisher tank on summer run days.

His sign says "No Melt Downs"  Best one of this race!

Come prepared with a cooler weather set of clothes and a warm day set.  I was cold & windy for most of the run due to the overcast day and high humidity.  The sun decided to peek and wind died down toward the end of the time I was on the course.  Go figure.  

Sporting the Finisher Medal

The post race party was chill.  Pizza was served and runners were able to get up to two refreshing beers to help wind down after  26.2 miles of man-powered road time.

Chip time: 5:13:41

Only 0.2 miles to go - and I'm taking a selfie?!?

Travel Cost

Airfare & Parking: $600

Uber Rides: $40

Food: $150

Swag for the kiddos and DH: $100

Estimated cost: $1000

Curious about the gear, pros and cons? Here is a readers digest synopsis of my experience with this race:

Shoes: Altra Torin 4

Shades: A throw-away pair picked up at a race expo

Race Day Shirt: Raw threads Bamboo mix Hoodie from the Nightmare Before Christmas collection

Compression: CEP Compression sleeves

Pros: Flat course

Cons: Limited flight options from Myrtle Beach to Connecticut, hotel refused a late checkout during the early states of tourist season

Race injuries: Some sore muscles, the usual blisters

Rating: 2 out of 5 running shoes. If you are looking for a flat course to BQ, then sure. The lack of late check-out for marathon runners contributed to this being a less-than-desirable race. If you want to get South Carolina as part of your journey to run a marathon in all 50 states, then go to Charleston.  The city has more charm  and better dining options.

Got my kicks running the Route 66 Marathon

Running crowd in 2019: Route 66 Marathon

I ran my ninth Marathon in my ninth state in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I picked the race because it was recommended by Runners World magazine. Supposedly, it is a 26.2 mile block party. Spoiler: Yeah, it is!  And yes, this is one of the reasons I wanted to travel to Oklahoma to run this race.

Tulsa is a neat town.  I met Caroline at the airport on flight day and chatted while she was waiting on her dad.  He was running this marathon in his 66th year!  Wow!!  That is pretty amazing because 26.2 miles in one run can wreck your body.

Wait, what is this antiquated device?

Plan ahead if you are not a local and are travelling for this race.  The half and full marathons are popular and hotels in the area are booked a year in advance.  Downtown Tulsa is pedestrian-friendly, so pick a hotel close to the start/finish areas and to dining, and that provides shuttle transportation.  There is no need to rent a car with the transportation and Lime scooters in town.  Consider downloading the application before you travel so you can use a scooter on the fly.

The race draws a large crowd and some streakers in the sense of repeat runners.  This is the first marathon where I saw both Marathon Maniacs and the 50 States Marathon have their own booths and separate tent.  I was one shy of running my 10th marathon and had yet to pay for the Marathon Maniacs membership.  Expect a lot at the convention: packet pick-up, getting your race shirt, and any other swag you can.  There was also an opportunity for puppy cuddles at the expo.  

Proof I was at the expo.  Are you ready to run!?!

The pre-race dinner was fun - I met up with Caroline, her dad, and Caroline's friend, Loan.  We had our carb load (beer required!) as well as sharing stories about life and prepare for the next day.  

Race day was COLD.  Like 30 degrees cold.  I was not prepared to layer up so much.  Thank goodness for the heated tents that came with the VIP package the DH purchased for me (a birthday present).  Members of the 50 states Marathon Club and Marathon Maniacs also had access to these - as long as they donned a wrist band given out at the expo.  You never know what kind of weather you are going to get- the 2018 marathon had ice, so I'll take the cold start as a bonus.

This race is magical.  There were unicorns!

The finish line was warm and I was not prepared because I did not pack sunscreen!  It was close to 70 degrees at the finish.  Yeah, big temperature difference from the start.  Lesson: pack two sets of clothes or some throw away layers.

Why is it so hot?

Not only did I complete a marathon, but it was an Ultra Marathon!  26.5 miles of self-powered movement.  Obviously, the goal was to finish, not accomplish any PRs for a couple of reasons: Jell-o shots, block parties, beer, shots, and the Center of the Universe detour.  But hey, I finished!

Miss Unfortunate at The Center of the Universe

Time on the course: 5:13:27.  The post race Bloody Mary (at the indoor after party) was soooo delicious!

Post race indoor party thanks to VIP access.  Not pictured: Post-race Bloody Mary

Travel Cost:

Flight: $600 plus airport parking

Travel food: $200 since I stayed an extra night

In-town transportation: None; Walked everywhere!

Race Expo Purchases: Snagged freebies for the kiddos

Hotel: $300-ish, possibly more for two nights

Race Entry Fee: Around $100

VIP Package: A gift :)

Total cost: $1200 for two days of travel.  $1300 or more if you include the VIP package.

Curious about the gear, pros and cons? Here is a readers digest synopsis of my experience with this race:

Shoes: Altra Torin 4

Shades: Goodr OGs in Pool Party Pregame

Race Day Shirt: Raw Threads Long Run from the Toy Story 4 collection

Compression: CEP Compression sleeves

Pros: Jello shots, manageable hills, pedestrian-friendly city

Cons: Limited flight options from Tulsa to Connecticut.  I stayed an extra day to get a flight that arrived at a reasonable time.

Race injuries: None... but I see the predictor of future injuries in one of my pictures.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 running shoes.  I would go back to repeat the state as a half marathon.

GO! St Louis

Here we go again! Marathon travel to Missouri!

Race: April 7th, 2019

I believe this was my third trip in four months.  I paid for travel, the race, and promised to contribute to lodging, yet continued to experience the infamous leg pain when running.  *sigh*.

I signed up for this race to join Caroline on her Journey and had hopes of running under the infamous St. Louis Arch.  The race organization updated racers on how flooding impacted the race and needless to say, the race was re-routed because of mother nature.  Re-routing is better than cancelling given that I am writing this after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Travel day was uneventful considering I just flew to the middle of the country from the east coast.  Took an uber to the hotel situated near Busch Stadium.  The location wasn't bad - just a walk from some touristy stuff to do!  The race expo was a bit smaller than I expected but did not deter from the over-all experience.  My one complaint about the expo: shirt swapping was allowed at the packet pickup area.  Nooooooo!!!  I ended up getting a large and was a bit frustrated because I how have a shirt that looks stupid on me.  It would not be so bad if I lived near the race but I traveled to completed this.  Digressing back to the good of the race expo... There were plenty of shuttles from the hotel to the expo for packet pick-up prior to race day.  Bonus: the hotel allowed for runners to have a late check-out and a happy hour.  I know Caroline and I had a pitcher of something...

The pre-race meal consisted of sushi and beer.  Beer is mandatory :)  Sushi to avoid high trans fats.  

Next is race day...  And one must take transportation to the starting line in one of the larger parks in St. Louis.  The inside was crowded but warm - a must for the chilly race day start.

Who choses to travel and get up early on a weekend?  Marathon runners. 

We're in the starting corral!

I knew I would run this race a lot slower than previous ones due to injury, so I tried to volley a bit with the 5:30 (yep) pacer.  The pacing team in the back was great and made it known he had a bit of fireball with him to help with warmth and sanity.

Posing for race photographers as one should do.

One of the pros to this race was the free photos.  So yeah, I posed for at least one during this race.  And posing is a requirement for those of us partying in the back of a race.

Marathons are like mullets: business in the front, party in the back.

The race ended in another one of the city's parks. Plenty of carbs, water, and beer to consume after completing 26.2 miles on foot.  I ended up walking back to the hotel after the race.  Not ideal but much needed to help with post-race recovery.  

Post race selfie.  Who cares about time. I just completed 26.2 miles using my own power.

Finish time: 5:28; Gun time: 5:34.  Trailed that pacer by a few minutes!  I could use that fireball, now!

Curious about the gear, pros and cons? Here is a readers digest synopsis of my experience with this race:

Shoes: Altra paradigm 4 (I adopted this line as the over 15 mile running shoe- plenty of padding).

Compression: Purchased from a large on-line retailer

Pros: Organized, shuttle trips to the start line and race expo.  The course is fairly flat with some windy areas, and there were FREE race day photos.

Cons: Pretty sure the injuries did not improve. Shin splints, no fractures.  Mother nature caused the course to be re-routed.  No running under the arch due to the weather.

Race injuries: The usual blisters and missing toe nail.  Nothing once cannot handle.

Rating: Four out of five running shoes.  I would not do this race again but would recommend it because of the organization and flat course.

Is it worth the price? The Asheville Marathon

Finally finished! Need to catch a plane now.

My answer: No.  And here is  why: The race fee and lack of need for police support.

I will admit, I was initially excited to run on the Biltmore estate given that this is a place of American Royalty.  If you live close to Newport, RI, then you can see the expanse of summer manse from families like the Biltmore's, Vanderbilts, and Drexlers.  The race slogan is "run in America's largest back yard."  It is a back yard filled with vineyards, ponds, and gardens.  None of the vineyards are in bloom, nor are the gardens.  I hardly think running through hibernating foliage is worth the race fee: $150.00.

The race expo was held in a hotel outside of the estate.  It was small and well-run. I purchased a pair of lucky socks since the race was held on St. Patrick's day.  The race expo has the usual packet pick-up and an additional station to obtain your shuttle tickets.  Read the fine print with this race: there is a fee you have to pay for being shuttled to and from the estate.  This is in addition to your race fee, folks.

Asheville is a cute southern tourist town with some posh buildings, ambiance of wealth, and funky restaurants.  Caroline and I met up at the airport, went to the expo, then parleyed what to do for dinner.  We agreed on tacos.  Because, tacos.  We had dinner at the White Duck Taco Shop where bonus: the pre-race beverage was a Cheerwine slushie.  I considered this a win being a southerner displaced in the northeast.  There are some southern-isms I miss that cannot be found above the Mason-Dixon line.  But digressing, the food was great as well as the beverages.

Fast forward to race day, and here is where things go awry (at least in my humble opinion).  Caroline and I wake at our usual 2 hours before the race, get ready to embark to the shuttles about an hour and a half before we need to be at the start.  The bus ride was not so bad- it was a usual state of quiet except for the diesel motor changing pitch as we ride through the estate.  Keep in mind this race starts as spring is starting so it is off to a cold start.  The down side: there are not many places to access a toilet or warmth at this point. Hello shivering for an hour.  Side note: I wore layers to shed and was too cold.  We eventually found a covered are with propane heaters to hover around until it was time to walk to the starting line.  There were several announcements (nothing unusual) about the race, then came the request to make donations to support the post run beer.  OH HELL NO, they did not!  I just paid how much to run, no police support needed, a portion of the race fee is a donation, and you want me to donate more?  No.

Pre-race selfie.  Sooo cold!

The first few miles of the race were not so bad.  There are a lot of  out and back loops.  No big deal - mapping out a USATF course with exactly 26.2 miles is challenging.  But the off road areas of the course are concerning.  I found the roads on the back portion - near the vineyards - to be too worn from work vehicles.  They were so uneven that I treated them as if I was running a technical trail.  One of the portions of the trail had bulky gravel - I tripped several times because I lost footing. 

I also missed my original flight because I thought I could run faster than I planned.  There were limited options leaving Asheville. 

Breakdown of the expenses:

Race Fee: $150

Shuttle Fee: $20

Airfare: $500 + $150 fee to change flights

Hotel (split): $125

Rental (split): $40

Dining: $100

Running gear purchased: $50

Airport Parking: ??? Cannot remember if I flew out of Hartford or Boston

Total estimated cost: $1100 - $1200 plus donations for the post race beer 😉

Curious about the gear, pros and cons? Here is a readers digest synopsis of my experience with this race:

Shoes: Topo Flylite 2

Compression: Sleeve purchased off a large internet retailer.  Last use for this one! My legs are now too big. 😂

Pros: Race swag: great long-sleeved t-shirt and buff/gaiter.

Cons: cost, uneven dirt roads, asking for donations for the post-race beer, cost, lack of warmth pre-race, limited flight options to Asheville.

Race injuries: Recurring shin splints and toe blisters.

Rating: 2 out of 5 running shoes because of the cost, limited flight options, continual requests for donations, need to purchase additional shuttle tickets to enter and exit the estate, and lack of warm areas pre-race.

The First Hartford Half

Hartford, Connecticut.  Home to the infamous Hartford Marathon series of races.  Which also happens to be the city of my first endurance race: the half marathon.

Keep in mind, I decided to start "this running thing" after finding that I needed something in my life to fulfil a void.  I asked mom friend, Chandra, if she would be game.  No problem!  She was the morale committee + her husband and kids.  

Chandra's kept saying if you can run 8 miles, then you can run a half marathon.  So that is what I did.  Well, maybe half of that distance.  Chandra's husband met us at a few crowd points during the race.  She collected GU gel from him, as well as swapping out layers and sporting a fun princess race tank.  This was a nice first endurance race - not too hilly, plenty of electrolyte replacement, and great crowd support.  To top that off: you get to run under the arch at Bushnell Park.

Chandra and her eldest held hands and crossed the finish line together.  Super sweet!!! 

Now, trying to recall specifics from 2017 when writing this in 2021 is a beast!  There will be another post on the 2019 Hartford Marathon. 

Curious about the gear, pros and cons? Here is a readers digest synopsis of my experience with this race:

Shoes: New Balance - Not sure which line, though!

Compression: KT tape

Pros: Local, great running support + volunteers, race crowds, after party

Cons: Weather is hit or miss.  We were lucky this year!  Post race food is meh, start of the race is crowded

Race injuries: The usual shin splints, blisters

Rating: 4 out of 5 running shoes because you never know what kind of weather you are going to get!  Post race food is okay, but the beer makes up for that.

Georgia on my mind

 Rock 'n' Roll Savannah

Now for Marathon number 3: Rock-n-Roll Savannah and southern state #2 done with one big hiccup: losing my walled in an airport.  Spoiler: someone turned it in, no cash or credit cards missing or used.

Apparently losing your wallet happens a lot while flying.  Yes, you can successfully travel if you lose your wallet and I am proof (just ask Caroline. I'm sure I was super annoying on this trip!).  I stayed in the local airport (Hilton Head International) until Caroline arrived.  Thank goodness I had plenty of knitting with me for this trip.  Crisis of boredom solved!

I was able to finish one of these mittens while waiting.

Savannah is my favorite southern city.  I love it more than the hometown area of the Holy City, AKA Charleston, SC, and was looking forward to the trip because, SAVANNAH, GEORGIA!  Fun fact: Forrest Gump's many bench scenes were filmed in the city. Getting a selfie in the square where the movie was filmed is important, too. Ugh social media and gen-yer with pseudo-millennial tendencies!  Savannah is a charming city.  Parking may be a beast with larger events and tourist season and the city is navigable by foot.  

The pre-race dinner and beer  #1 was at Paula Deen's restaurant.  Caroline and I commented that we were most likely not up to the standard dress code for the restaurant. Who cares - we came just for the salty and fried food.  Race mistake: don't overload on greasy food the night before.

As mentioned, this race is part of the Rock 'n' Roll series of races (owned by a large conglomerate that also owns the Ironman triathalon series).  These races are large but be mindful that not many people are crazy enough to run a marathon. So, the first half was great - lots of live bands to listen to while running. Not so much on the back half.

I took lots of selfies - none in the location where Forrest Gump was filmed.  Imagine my disappointment when I realized I ran past Chippewa Square sans photo.  Needless to say, running through the historic district was my favorite parts of this race.  

Race day started off a bit chilly then warmed up into the 70s.  Don't forget to bring throw-away clothes if you travel for marathons.  Rookie mistake: I shed one of my favorite hoodies en route.  Many of the race organizations donate discarded clothing to local shelters - so it is easiest to do this close to mile marker signs.

The race after party is HUGE.  But then again, the Rock 'n' Roll series has a large draw.  Post finish line your medal is donned plus you are handed too much to hold as far as beverages and sacks go.  

This was a PR race for me, finishing at 4:58:21.  I may have trained for this one!

Savannah is a charming city and has limited flight options into and out of the area. Keep this in mind when making travel arrangements.  Late check-outs are always a bonus!

Curious about the gear, pros and cons? Here is a readers digest synopsis of my experience with this race:

Shoes: Altra Paradigm 4.0

Compression: Whatever I purchased off a large internet retailer

Pros: Organized race, music for most of the half marathon, flat course, and running past where Forrest Gump was filmed, southern charm, opportunity for a PR

Cons: Limited entertainment for the full marathon

Race injuries: Toe blisters

Rating: 4 out of 5 running shoes.  I would recommend for anyone wanting to complete a marathon, or a 50-stater who wants to run a race in Georgia.

Crabs Everywhere!!

At the Baltimore Race Expo

Crabs, running, Baltimore's inner harbor, and a flippy-style medal. Sure, I'll run the Baltimore Marathon!

The decision was made.  Caroline and I traveled separately and met up on race day.  I stayed in the inner harbor and she stayed with a friend in the area.

But.. race day.  The expo is HUGE. Like Boston Marathon HUGE.

Baltimore, MD, here I come!  I flew into BWI, picked up my rental ride, and made the drive to the inner harbor area.  As a side note, if you are not traveling outside of the downtown area, consider using public transportation.  The train takes you into downtown Baltimore for roughly the cost of a grande coffee at Starbucks.  And of course, there are the sportsball teams!  mentioned staying solo in a hotel during this trip.  I knew this trip would be expensive.  And yes it was.  But I was super close to the race start and finish.  And a Starbucks.

I met up with a runner that I met at the Hatfield McCoy marathon at the expo and later for dinner with a few other fellow runners she met while traveling.  Had some crab cakes for dinner at Philip's seafood, then went to retire for the night - after consuming a pre-race day beer.

The inner harbor is set up well in advance pre-race with multiple races: a 5K that starts before the marathon, a marathon, and a late-start half marathon.  The concept of the late-start half was awesome.  I did not feel the course was too crowded with how everything was organized and the aid stations throughout were packed with snacks, beverages with electrolytes, and interventions to make your race comfortable (Vaseline, Tylenol, water, ice, etc.).  The energy from the supporters and runners was amazing.

The race starts behind Camden Yards. Take some photos!  This place is amazing.  Poe, the Baltimore Ravens mascot is part of the pre-race shenanigans.  Some of the treats on the course include running past the Under Armour headquarters, seeing some animals in the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (don't forget your selfies!), a stroll near Johns Hopkins University, and the infamous Lake Montebello.

The after party was sponsored by Dogfish Head.  Two beers- hells yeah!  Beers along the inner harbor? Incredible. Flippy marathon medal?  Fantastic.  Chip time: 5:06:12, with an average pace of 11:41 per mile. 

Bonus: I went to Alexandria to see my dad and bonus mom!  This is the only reason I had a rental ride.  

Overall, I loved this race and it still is a top 5.  While I would not do 26.2 again, I would like to do the Baltimoron-athon.  The 5k and half marathon in the same day.

Curious about the gear, pros and cons? Here is a readers digest synopsis of my experience with this race:

Shoes: Topo Flylite 2

Compression: Whatever I purchased on a large on-line retailer

Pros: Race setup, aid stations, crowd energy, crowd support, the Baltimore Zoo (I took a selfie with a SKUNK!)

Cons: Cost of lodging & valet parking

Race injuries: Nasty blisters on my great toe

Rating: 5 out of 5 running shoes.  I loved this race.  Corrigan Sports, the race organization, is well-organized.  I look forward to the Deleware Running Festival in 2021.

I will start adding in cost of travel in future blogs because this adventure is expensive and requires a bit of planning to be and feel successful.  

Hatfields vs McCoys

There is a little marathon in a coal-mining, farm-country area of West Virginia (and Kentucky) that hosts a marathon with a theme of a famous feud: the Hatfield McCoy Marathon, run by the Tug Valley Run Club.  Things I did not realize going into this race: it is small, the expo fits into a gym, and don't expect luxuries, such as cell phone coverage, in this area.  

I wanted this to be my first marathon and am grateful it was not for many reasons, including solo traveling.

The drive from Southeastern Connecticut to the Tug Valley area was over 10 hours.  Traveling solo for a few is not so bad. But driving that long is just insane at my stage of life (I'm not one for sitting for too long).  Then there is a lack of Starbucks coffeehouses en route to said rural area.  Yes, I am one of those!  But then you get to the race town, and it is a small town in West Virginia with Kentucky next door.  There aren't many Yelp! listings on where to eat, either. So plan ahead with this one.  

I was a rookie with race planning on this one and recommend if you want to run it, sign up early, book your lodging early, and look at the area plus surrounding towns for lodging and dining.  This is is not to turn you away from the race - which I enjoyed very much- but to prepare you for not having conveniences we love and difficulty deviating from if we cannot use them.

Fortunately, I was able to book lodging at a local hotel run by Wingo's restaurant.  Not my first choice and not somewhere I would stay again because I love having luxuries when traveling.  I was able to shower and sleep in this place, so basic needs were met.  The cost was great: $70 or $80 for three nights.  I was a little prepared knowing ahead of time there was no mini fridge and thank goodness for a big box store being in town and traveling with a cooler.  I brought my pre-race beer with me and was able to purchase some instant coffee to start running the next morning.

For the run: the directions the Tug Valley Run Club. I ran with a total race crowd of less than 800 people.  You are bussed to Food City: the location of the starting line.  Then you run for a few miles. And OMG that hill at mile 7 followed by little bumps.  I mentioned there was not much for wifi or in this case, cell coverage and was all flustered the subscription music app would not play. Oh well. Now there is music stored on my cell phone for races like this.

The race coordinators have a competition for all the water stops in the race.  This is fantastic because of the entertainment you get for 26.2 miles.  Not all water stops are equal. My favorite was the wiggly bridge because those ladies had sunscreen.  This brings me to another point: this race can get HOT. Do not expect a PR, and take the cooling towels when offered.  Back to the race stops: you get to see miniature horses, a golf course, and a few tourist attractions, some railroad tunnels, and bridges. So, not bad.

I mentioned earlier this race is hot.  The day started off with a humid 70-ish degree temperature and rose from there to something in the 90s, clear skies on this particular race day, and more humidity.  The reviews from this race said not to expect a PR. Don't expect a PR if you're a #teamnotraining kind of runner.  There is a reason there is no time limit with this race.  Wait, a race with no time limit? Yes, this is one of the reasons I chose to run this one! No runner left behind! 

Saturday looks promising

There are also a lot of hand-made signs along the route to serve as motivation.  Were you a past runner? Great! Someone made a sign for you?  The only runner from Connecticut (I was not - I met a fellow nutmegger while taking a run break) - chances are, there is a sign for you.  Lost a toenail, that toenail has a sign.  Most of the runners completing this race wanted to do this for whatever reason. Mine was to do a challenging race, for others I met and talked to on the course, it was to accomplish a goal of completing a marathon in all 50 states.  One of the runners I met was on his second time around completing a marathon in all the states (WOW!!!).

I also met some great runners from the Chicago area who serve as inspiration because no matter how old or your stage in life, running brings people together in a different way.  I cannot explain it other than a truly judgement-free zone.  Hey, you finished a marathon in 6 hours. Awesome. You are a bad-ass because you too, are crazy enough to do this same feat as an elite athlete.  Okay, digressing back to the road race-y stuff. 

The finish line is in the middle of downtown Williamson, WV.  There is access to cold showers post-race, a few local dives, and pulled pork sandwiches.  Don't forget to pick up your race-themed mason jar.  Mine is sported on a shelf in my office at work - along with the stuffed race pig.  I feel like I was the most excited to cross this finish line than I have been with all my other races so far.  

Consider yourself a bad-ass if you completed this race - the half, or double-half.  The elements, you know, heat & humidity.  

Would I do it again? Maybe. But not solo.

Curious about the gear, pros and cons? Here is a readers digest synopsis of my experience with this race:

Shoes: Topo Flylite 2

Compression: Sleeves purchased off a large internet retailer

Pros: Rocking a medal post-race that shows a town that you are in fact, a bad-ass (or crazy) for a human-paced road venture of 26.2 miles in a mountain valley, race support, water stops, number of bathrooms en route, choice of two states to pick from if you are on the journey to running a marathon in each state, no time limit, met some great runners from across the country.

Cons: Lack of cell reception, humidity, sweating off sun screen

Race injuries: Blisters. I was able to keep all my toenails this time.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 running shoes because of limited wifi and local conveniences.