State #30 Des Moines, Iowa

Double Marathon Day 2

October 16, 2016

"Glad to hear you enjoyed your king size bed meanwhile, I am at home sleeping in the dirt. Hope that makes you happy!"  This is what my cat's thought bubble would be. At least she is getting her winter coat and it is still warm at home. We have a goal to accomplish and hitting the 30 state mark somehow feels as if we have jumped over a psychological hurdle and the goal is within reach. While many runners complete 50 states before reaching age fifty, I will have to settle for 30 states by fifty.  It just means the fun continues. At least that is what I tell my big toe as it is about to shed its nail.  While I should be out running today, I am writing a blog instead of figuring out a way to fit my foot into my running shoes without further aggravating Mr. dangling toenail. It is funny when the pacer in Kansas City was telling the runners about the time he lost his big toenail and I scoffed thinking I have some pretty messed up toenails, but I have never lost my big toenail. Karma or a lesson in not being judgmental!

Back to the blog, and back to riding in the car for the three hour drive to Des Moines. I'll drive even though, I drove to the airport and all day yesterday. It is my punishment for forgetting the pain relievers and my husband is hurting. He actually had some with him but when he got them out they flew on the ground. I will do the driving until we can stop and get some food and gas which ends up being almost two hours. Turns out there are not a lot of places to stop between Missouri and Iowa. Choices being limited we stop at the old stand by, Taco Bell and thankfully the gas station has Advil. I get to take a driving break and bust out the remaining two Reese's pumpkins for some extra fuel. I share with hubby as he is hooked on the delicious pumpkins too. It leaves me wondering if there is rehab for Reese's holiday candy. Once we make it to Des Moines we go straight to the expo for packet pick-up. After hunting down the Maniacs to get our sticker for the extra medal it is hotel time. We luck out and get a parking spot right in front of the hotel saving 24 dollars on valet parking.  

It is another nice hotel with a comfy bed with a very short walk to the start and finish line. We elect to keep our great parking spot and find a restaurant within walking distance and discover an Italian place a few blocks away. They have a waiting list but we elect to sit at the bar.  Shockingly, I order pizza~surprise~and my husband has a burger.

It's not the best pizza. The sauce needs to go under the cheese please. I take it back to the hotel refrigerator thinking we might eat it after the marathon, but I think I am over pizza~Not really, they have hot slices at the finish line~and I manage to get my pizza fix. 

Once we are back in the room, we prepare for the morning and crawl into another comfy bed. We need to check in for the airline at 7:45 a.m. with the race starting at 8 a.m. it is perfect timing. Except we both totally forget to do it. It doesn't even cross my mind until my husband asks me if I checked in as he comes across the finish line. Oops...well what is the worst that can happen! Apparently nothing as we get home with all the luggage and sat in the front of the plane even though we were the last to board. Thanks Southwest. Plus we had the nicest flight attendant!

Did you check in... hmmm clueless  No!

Back to marathon morning. It is a warm muggy day. Miserable is the word that comes to mind. I have never seen so many runners soaking wet within the first few miles and it is not raining. It is the dew point! I am struggling within the first few steps. I know it's part of the warm up, but it plain and simple hurts. The marathon rewards us with hills in the first three miles. My husband is running with me and I tell him to go ahead, but he sticks with me as pacer after pacer run by. I insist he go, but he doesn't listen. I need to walk and work into the run, but once my legs are numb I am able to power through.  

Finally the hills relent and I am able to get into a nice groove with my husband. We enjoy the course and the people with many out and back sections, there are Maniacs and 50 Staters everywhere. It is nice to see everyone, for the most part, be positive and encouraging towards one another.  I really enjoy the lap around the Drake University track!

State #29 Kansas City, Missouri

Another Double Marathon Weekend

October 15, 2016

One double marathon weekend in October must not be enough punishment.  Here we go again.  I actually signed up for Kansas City and Des Moines before I added Maine and New Hampshire, but now we are running another double in a two week period.  At least this one is only in the Midwest rather than the East Coast. However, the travel times are not the best for the trip. The flight leaves at 6:15am which means we need to be at the gate by 5:45am.  We leave the house at 11pm in order to get to the parking lot before the really bad~I feel sleepy, I can't drive anymore hits!  On the plus side it makes for super easy travel with minimal to no traffic and a record time getting to the airport. It leaves time for a nap in the car before catching the shuttle to the airport. Also super easy and quick. Once we board the plane, it is smooth sailing and we are in Kansas City before noon with no line for the cheapest rental car ever~can't beat 37 bucks for three days! We are eating lunch at the Pizza Ranch buffet shortly after landing. Lunch sustains us for the day leaving plenty of time to visit the Truman Library.

The fatigue is starting to hit me!

After an informative historical tour of the museum, we drive to the Chiefs stadium for a little look. Definitely something that interests my husband way more than me.

Things are always great until they are not!  Fatigue hits hard and the brain slows, my patience wanes especially when we are ready to get to the final destination now!  But first, we drive around in circles to find parking at the wrong hotel.  After trekking into the wrong Crowne Hotel with luggage in tow, it's back to the car for more traffic battles and confusion before finally finding the correct hotel. I must say; even though, it is pricey, we stay at the host hotel which is very comfortable and convenient~at least once we finally find it. 

After leaving our stuff in the room, we go to the expo located in the hotel. Love the convenience after our trouble in finding the hotel. The last thing I want to do is get back in the car. The expo is rather small and easy to navigate quickly.  We pick up the I-35 challenge backpack.  I suggest they stick with the shirt from the year before. Upon registering we thought we were getting a shirt, but they changed it to a backpack~disappointing many of the Challenge participants. That is my only suggestion for improving for next year. We decide take a short walk to check out the start and finish area.

After orienting ourselves for the morning, it is back to the room...Let's just say it is so nice to sprawl out on the huge king size bed~oh so comfy~and the good pillows! Sleep deprivation does not always leave one at their running best, but I plan to enjoy every last second laying in the bed. I bring along Reese's pumpkins for a sweet treat. (It is October after all.  The obsession used to only be Reese's Easter eggs in March or April, but somehow it now includes October pumpkins.)  It has been scientifically proven that the holiday Reese's candy is better tasting and more addicting than the regular kind!

View of city from room

When the alarm goes off...I have no desire to get up! Usually on race morning, I spring out of bed in anticipation~not today~I just want to sleep and stay in bed forever. I seriously think about not getting up. I wait until the last possible moment to throw myself together. We leave ten minutes before start time and are quite surprised when the elevator door opens and it is full of runners. I guess they did not want to get up either. As we step out of the hotel the temperature is quite warm with lots of moisture in the air. I think it is the humidity, but I am quickly informed by another runner it is the dew point. After making our way through the corral, we are as ready as we are going to be.

It is still dark as the race begins. My sunglasses sit on my hat the entire run.  The sun is not a factor, but it is definitely a warm run. The course takes runners on a nice little tour of the city. We run the downtown streets that showcase the big buildings, along waterways and through nice neighborhoods. The course also showcases every possible incline. Someone said,"It is a fast course, easier than Boston." I have to disagree. I am worn down from lots of marathons and my fitness is not where I would like, but it is a more challenging course than Boston. On the other hand, if properly trained, it is a good marathon to race. The volunteers are great handing out plenty of water, Gatorade and nourishment. The course elevation is constantly changing with lots to see. The entertainment on the course is abundant and greatly appreciated.

The marathon uses a ton of pacers.  I run with one of the half pacers until they turn and I run with the 4:20 pacer near the halfway point before I start to feel better and push ahead.  Running in the group helps me get over the hump.  I talk with a Maniac from Los Angeles. It is interesting to share marathon stories and the miles pass quickly while immersed in conversation. Many Maniacs and 50 Staters are doing the double increasing the camaraderie on the course.

Another plus for the Kansas City Marathon is free pictures. It is a challenge to search through the thirty thousand photos, but nice to find a photo that captures the moment. After the halfway point I begin my mile countdown. Nothing is more exciting than seeing the mile 25 sign other than seeing the mile 26 sign. The zinger for the course is the climb up for the last .2 to the finish line. There is just nothing left in my legs to push and I slog through finishing in 4:19:29 just in front of the 4:20 pacers.

That's gun time!

I give the marathon two thumbs up. A good course with plenty of aid, entertainment, hills, volunteers and a nice after-party atmosphere with beer and burgers for all participants. I sit on the Washington statue ledge to eat and drink and it turns into the pacer hangout. I listen to their chatter and am glad to run my own race today. It is nice not to constantly look at my watch and make adjustments which is required while pacing. The pace band I picked up at the expo was the 4:20 and I finished thirty-one seconds under right on the money. I don't even do that well when I am pacing! I guess the secret is not to stress so much about the watch and mile markers.

After refueling I walk back to the hotel to shower and get ready to leave for Iowa. The hotel gave everyone a letter at check-in that we need to be out by 12 pm. I requested a 2 pm check-out when I booked, but at check in they can't promise anything. I will fight that battle if need be, but there are no issues. My husband finishes and is back in the room by the time I get out of the shower. All is good as we leave the hotel by one. A one o'clock check out seems fair considering the money marathons bring to a city. Now it is off to Des Moines for day two!

State #28 Portland, Maine

Double Marathon Weekend

October 1st and 2nd

The great thing about small marathons is the ease of getting back to the car. We are literally parked less than five feet from the finish line. Making it easy to drive over to the middle school and change into dry clothes before making the two hour drive to Portland. We elect to take the scenic route which is pretty, but not as spectacular as usual due to the lateness of the changing leaves. The drive is slow with no passing lanes. I drive  and my husband is unwilling to take pictures. We capture only a few pictures of the trees.

It will be left to the imagination as to just how magical it must be...maybe it looks something like this photo...I stole from the internet!

Once we make it to the state line, I want to be there already. Luckily, the heated seats provide heat to the hamstrings and lower back!

We are looking forward to soaking in the pool and spa, but first a quick stop at bib and packet pick-up. The people at the expo are super nice. I see snacks...yes!  I munch my way through the tables. Unfortunately, they only have large women's shirts left~bummer~and the shirts are nice looking too. On a side note, with all the shirts I have obtained over the years, only a very few fit properly, I actually only wear a small percentage of them.  I think it is time to make a blanket or quilt. 

Now that I am no longer hungry there is no rush to eat and we are able to relax our muscles in the pool for awhile. We chat with a lady from Maine in the spa about the winter weather.  These east coast states are so appealing in the spring, summer and fall, but I have to keep in mind the winters.

There is so much to do and see in every new state, but limited time and energy seems to lead us to early bedtimes.  After a quick dinner we are back in the room getting organized for day two. I am pacing this one and I am required to be there by 6:45 even though the race starts at 7:45. The pacers take a quick photo...then it is hurry up and wait. 

The potties are great.  This is the first race ever where there is a guy with a megaphone yelling "one line for EACH STALL," making it a faster and much more efficient system~LOVE IT.

The extra time gives us time to chat with people. We meet two young bubbly ladies who are ready to run their first half-marathon. Their excitement is contagious and gets us excited too. They tell us to try the lobster truck at the light house. We also meet the race director who tells us it is his last year after 18 years. We tell him how impressed we are with the course, shirts and medals. When we tell him we ran in New Hampshire the day before, he says, "Oh one of those crazy types that limp around!" I tell him I am walking fine and he agreed.

Once we find our place in the corral we talk with others that ran the day before and with a few runners that plan to run with me for a sub five hour finish. Taking it easy in New Hampshire, surprisingly, leaves me feeling no soreness. I feel ready to run another one.   

I have three ladies that run and talk with me from the beginning and a few others that are back just far enough to be spared my nonstop babbling. My husband is out in front, but after a few mile rejoins the group and starts talking with one of the ladies and off they go. We see them at the turn around and then again in the final miles.

My other two ladies are solid, running strong and we have a gentleman join in with the conversation too. He lived in Ventura for awhile which is twenty minutes from Santa Barbara, a city I know well. I even paced there. It never fails during every marathon I find someone from my area. His goal is to break the five hour mark. In his previous attempts he has been unable to go under five. He takes breaks from the group, but manages to catch up. 

View at Mile 24

I am thrilled to report he caught up with me at mile 24 and off he went. I am ecstatic to report he finishes under five with a 4:57. When the people I run with reach their goals it is more exciting than getting a P.R. for myself. The pacing experience is a continual learning process for me.  I learn something each time to improve for the next time.

I am so thrilled that the lady who ran her first marathon also finished under five hours (4:57). She stayed with me until mile 23 when she pushed ahead to a strong finish. I stop to walk with the lady my husband was running with from the early miles, but she hit the dreaded wall at mile sixteen. I walk with her trying to encourage her, but she feels dizzy and everyone has to run their own race. 

She fought her way to the finish. I wait to see her finish and she is running so hard for the finish line. She is only fifteen seconds over the five hour mark.  The course is long at 26.55 and on any other course she definitely would have been under five. It makes we wonder if I had walked longer with her would it have made a difference. It is easy to second guess ourselves and reflect on what do to better next time.

Even though I have been pacing for several years now, I still see ways that I can improve and do a better job. The third gal ran most of the way with me but dropped back at the dreaded twenty-mile mark.  

She still gets a P.R. and is happy with her finish. A marathon is such a crazy experience; it is a fun and emotional road enhanced when it is shared with other runners. I feel honored when runners put their trust in me and I do my best to get them through it in a positive way. Overall it is a happy day, but I definitely will implement some things to improve for the next time.

The medals are very cool. In honor of the 25th year, the medals have blinking lighthouses. We are lucky enough to snatch up a slice of pizza before it is all gone. I get a chance to talk to the ladies I ran with the day before in New Hampshire . 

An amazing 50 Stater who will complete her 50th in Maui Jan. 17

We find the recovery food tent with an endless supply of Fig Newtons, not one of my favorites, but during or after a marathon, they are simply delicious. I will admit I consumed too many and this is why I am a chubby runner~It's all the darn cookies and pizza!  "You can't outrun a bad diet, believe me I have tried!"

All in all, it is a fun double marathon weekend. Time to go back to the spa and pool before checking out the lobster truck and lighthouse.

We get there just in time! They are almost out of lobster for the day...good thing we ate before checking out the lighthouse.

I hate to admit just down the road from...the same lighthouse, we found another seafood restaurant and sampled the seafood there, as well. Stuffed and exhausted there is no way we can stay out any longer. The muscles feel fine, it is the achy joints and soft tissue tears that make laying down the best option. Time to take our old worn out bodies back to the motel.

After a good night's sleep we are ready to explore on the way back to Boston. We stop in the touristy Kennebunk Port. It is nearly impossible to find parking in the quaint little town. We drive by the Bush Compound and see some gorgeous homes and waterways.

The Bush Compound

After getting on the turnpike in the wrong direction and having to pay tolls in both directions my husband is hesitant to make anymore detours, but I suggest one final lighthouse before heading to the airport.

I think my husband is actually happy about my little detour. He climbs down to the water and puts his hands in the Atlantic Ocean and I get double bonus points for finding a little ice cream stand.

Can you tell the purple one is mine with that death grip I have on it. In my defense I had no idea they were so large when we ordered. I did however eat the whole thing, but it counts as dinner. They actually warn us as we go through security that there are absolutely no food places in our wing of the airport. We also get busted for the baked beans included in the goodie bags. The poor security person has to go through all our dirty clothes to find the cans and swab them for explosives. I knew we should have left those baked beans behind. Once we are safely in the airport and behind our entertainment screens on the plane, it is smooth sailing all the way home.

Until Next time!!!

State #27 Bristol, New Hampshire Marathon

Double Marathon Weekend

October 1st and 2nd 2016

What...we arrive at the airport at a reasonable hour of the day for a 1:40 pm departure on a non-stop flight to Boston on a new airline (new to us at least) Virgin American which includes free in-flight entertainment.  I do not even crack the book I brought to pass the time. An easy flight is rewarded with overflowing rental car shuttle buses crammed to the max~rush hour subway style~but with luggage and the longest line for our Budget rental car.  After maneuvering over to catch an empty bus and waiting an hour to get the car, a low tire pressure light flashes as we start the car.  Back to the counter we go to switch the car. The last thing I want to worry about is a flat tire. It is a good switch to a push start car with heated seats. Even though I am constantly looking for the keys the entire trip. Once we are on the road, we drive over the famous Boston Bridge and through the underground tunnel. There is a bit of traffic and road construction but finally we arrive in Salem, New Hampshire our stopping place for the night. It is after 1 a.m. and I wonder if the room is still available and it is, but they did turn away people that came in after us.  

Even though it is late in New Hampshire we are on California time and unwind with diet coke and a candy bar from the vending machine.  Good thing we ate a burger in the airport before the flight. I have a difficult time falling asleep so the television keeps me company until about 3 am. When we finally wake up, it is after ten, time to load up and make our way to Bristol.  Packet pick up begins at 4:30 pm plenty of time for lunch, hotel check-in and some sight seeing.  

Well as much as I love running, I love eating more...I will keep working on my priorities, but it is a bad habit to kick. We stay in Tilton which is about 20 miles from the marathon start.  Bristol is a small town with mainly bed and breakfast places. We stay at a basic motel instead. On the scenic drive to Tilton, we find "The Tilton House of Pizza".  

It is a very busy place. They take our order and the guy~must be the owner~behind the counter (heavy Bostonian Accent) asks if we want a shot of Captain Morgan in our cokes!  He is so warm and friendly the entire time we are there. The locals hang out at the counter as if it is the local watering hole. The atmosphere at lunch sets the tone for our time in the area. It is a welcoming place and the pizza is really good too!

We explore the area and check out the Titlton Arch.  The rich founder of the town, Charles Tilton, wanted a statue made in his own honor...and there it is!!

There are hints of color changes, but the full leaf color change is late this year.  

On our way to Bristol we take a longer two lane road to check out Profile Falls, but we get stuck behind school buses. At 2:20 the schools are letting the kids out, including high school and middle school. It seems surprisingly early compared to California schools that go until 3:10. The local police stop traffic to allow cars out of the high school. Only something you see in a small town. After a short trek to the falls, we find the cascading water.

With more time to kill before packet pick up begins, we take a drive to see some of the course and end up driving all the way out to the turn around point at Sculptured Rock. It gives us a glimpse of the beautiful lake we will be running around.

Since we make it all the way out to Sculptured Rock, my husband fascinated by geology takes a peek.  I can see rocks stacked up on top of each other and tell him, "That's it!"  Not amused, he continues searching until he finally finds it.

The drive back to town takes forever and it is only half of what we will be running in the morning. Why does it seem so far in the car?  Packet pick-up is super quick. The bright pink shirt is super cute and I try it on right there. The small is hanging on me and I talk with the race director.  They are able to find me an x-small.  I am by no means an extra small but it fits. The lady tells me that's because they are a feel good marathon. Some locals give us tips on our way out to the car.  Again, we feel the small town hospitality!

That is enough excitement for one day and we return to the motel. My husband is still full from lunch and I heat up my leftover pizza in the microwave.  The McDonald's has a sign for lobster rolls, but we refrain fearing fake meat similar to the McRib sandwich. If you have every tried one you can't forget the taste. The race starts at 9 a.m. in the morning.  Normally a late start is nice, but we have to drive to Portland, Maine for the second marathon of the weekend along with many other Marathon Maniacs and 50 Staters. Race morning is stress-free with a short drive to the middle school start.  As we line up, a local strikes up a conversation with me.  I end up running several sections with him. We jigsaw for the first half and when I make a pee stop, he pulls ahead. It takes me until mile 20 to finally catch up to him. We talk about what a nice place New Hampshire is to live and he tells me the state motto is "live free or die!"  This is also probably why it is the only state in the United States that does not require seat belts. I also run with a local lady who moved from Alabama to NH.  Her husband, a pastor at a local church, he is supposed to run it with her but a family emergency forces her to tackle her first marathon alone. She is doing quite well, but as we approach the half way point, she begins to struggle with her aching feet. I give her some pain relievers and wish her well.  I get the chance to run with some super nice Washington Maniac/50 State ladies in the beginning which helps pass the time.  I also met a 50 Stater who has only a few more states until she completes the journey in Maui.  I meet a super sweet lady from Santa Barbara, a city I call my second home.  She drove all the way from California to run the marathon with her 87 year old mom as her travel companion. What an adventure.  

I see my husband as he makes his way back after the turn around. I start to pick up my pace, but a very hilly course makes it difficult. The first half is either going up or down with very few flat sections. The second half is a little better but still hilly. When I see the mile 24 sign I know I am home free.  

There is one final climb to the stop sign before turning for the final 2 mile downhill stretch.  I start to fly through the final 2.2 miles with my fastest pace of the day.  I can see hints of my husband in the 25th mile.  As I approach mile 26, I see him walking up the final hill and do my best to catch him, but he is able to beat me by eight seconds.  He has no idea I am right behind him. I get my medal and walk up to him acting like I have been done for awhile. The look of shock fills his face until I fess up to the fact he beat me fair and square. We eat the tasty pizza provided before making the drive to Maine for another day of fun.