State #1 Sacramento, California

October 4, 2009

Cowtown is not my first marathon in California, but it is my first Boston qualifying race!  This is the race I am using as State #1 in my 50 State Journey. Before I get to my BQ race report here is a little recap of how it all began...

My first marathon was the Santa Clarita Marathon in November 1999.  I have been running off and on since high school.  As someone who is never satisfied with the body I reside within running is my way to try and shed pounds, maintain weight, and stay in shape.  Although I have varying degrees of success and many failures in the endeavor, running, regardless of my weight, gives me something I need.

The goal of obtaining the ideal body never happened for me and is no longer my motivation for running.  The psychological benefits of running keeps me pounding the pavement these days.  Going for a run, whether it be three miles or the marathon distance, is a fresh start to each new day.  Each run is a new beginning.  We can't undo our mistakes and fix the past, but we can always begin again and that is what running does for me. Completing a run means anything is possible. When life is an uncertain struggle, running wipes the slate clean each time.

My road to the marathon began when my daughter started kindergarten. I spent the first five years of her life being mom.  She is the joy of my life.  She always has been and always will be, but once she started school, I had time on my hands.  I definitely put on weight during those years, and eventually began focusing on my health.  By the time she was in second grade, running became an important aspect of my life.  I remember thinking to myself, if I can run ten miles without stopping, I will sign up for the Santa Clarita Marathon. Of course I had to measure the distance with my car; there were no Garmin's. Immediately after the ten mile run, I mailed in the entry. Yes we had to mail the entries! While preparing for my first marathon, I thought I may need to try out a half marathon first.  I found "City to the Sea"  located on the Central Coast of California, starting in San Luis Obispo and ending at Avila Beach.  It was a great first half.  I finished fifth in my age and even merited a top one hundred  finisher's mug.  Needless to say, I was hooked on the racing high.  

They say it is better to be under-trained than even slightly over trained and that seems to be what I did for my first marathon in 1999.  I did not taper at all prior to the race. I just ran and ran and ran.  I actually had incredible knee pain from too much running.  I visited a doctor a week or two before race day seeking out a cortisone shot to ease the pain in my knee.  Thankfully they did not give me one.  It was recommended by the doctor that I stop running.  I remember a rather dismissive comment made by the doctor that I wasn't running in the Olympics or anything.  Hey, listen buddy it is my Olympics.  That was also the beginning of knee braces.  

The day before the marathon we traveled to Santa Clarita as a family. My husband was my supporter at the time. He even rode his bike on my last long run through Farmersville and into Exeter. This was before we even knew about the infamous Rocky Hill, popular with local runners for long runs and hill training. It only took my husband watching and supporting me at one more marathon~The Napa Marathon~to decide watching is for the birds.  He wanted to run too.  We ran our first marathon together in October 2000 at the San Jose Marathon. It has been a family activity ever since. I still fondly reflect on that first marathon as we drive past Magic Mountain on our travels to Los Angeles to fly to various states.  My daughter was standing at mile 17 with a drink in her hand as I made the climb up the hill to Magic Mountain  If you know the area it is quite a climb. Those were the days when she was still impressed by her mama. 

The start of mile 17 hill!  My daughter and husband at gas station!

 Now she says, "I know I know that was mile 17 of your first marathon and that was the hotel we stayed at..."  It seems, in a way, it was just the other day, but it has been sixteen years and she is all grown up now.  A college graduate and in the work force for three years already! "Enjoy it while you can, it goes by so fast, too fast."  Older parents can tell younger parents, but it can't be truly understood until you live it for yourself.  

All grown up...office life!

On the morning of my first marathon, my husband drove me to the bus which took me to the start line.  I remember a tent with serious looking runners.  I really don't recall too many details of that first race.  It was quite hilly and I talked to one man in the first half and one lady a few times.  In the finish photo the lady finishes just before me.  I was in good running shape at the time and yet I finished just under four hours.  I took no fuel the entire course and ran hard the day before.  I still wonder how I would have done if I was more knowledgeable about tapering and fueling.  I do remember crossing the line and being exhausted.  I definitely remember doing the marathon shuffle back to the hotel and someone saying to me "you did it" as I walked into the lobby.

First Marathon Ever 3:59;41

One thing that I definitely experience after running a marathon is a letdown.  It has been referred to as post marathon depression.  The best cure for this is to sign up for another marathon and begin or continue training for the next one.  My next marathon was Napa in March of 2000.  This was another destination race. My in-laws and brother-in-law all met us for a little family get together.  The weather was not the best for my second marathon.  In fact, 45 minutes into the race it started to rain and never stopped.  Not the best event to have the in-laws spectate. 

My husband's family all came out in the rain to support me!

 This race started out great for me, I was flying doing seven minute miles.  I had a small waist pack with jelly beans and I remember being so water logged and weighed down that I dumped the pack just over the half way point.  Around mile twenty, I died.  I ended up walk running the remainder of the race.  Again, I was at my running best and yet I did not understand how to manage my pace early and properly fuel before and during the race.  I finished this one in 3:54 and looked like a drowned rat at the end.  

My husband had the running bug by now and we ran the San Jose Marathon together in October of 2000.  My mom went with us on the adventure to watch our daughter while we ran.  We both finished just under four hours.  I do not really remember a whole lot about this race other than it started in downtown San Jose and ran through some industrial areas and there were a lot of light rail tracks and trains. The medal was a computer circuit board. Not one of my favorites, but unique to the Silicon Valley theme.

Craig's First Marathon

 It was our last marathon for a number of years.  We took a break from running marathons. We moved across town to a new home and our focus and priorities changed.  We did home improvement projects and raised our daughter who was busy with soccer and ballet and school events.  She was our priority. I also went back to work for the schools and life quickly passed in the blink of an eye.  We continued to run local 1ok races periodically, but marathons took a backseat.  Eight years later, with a new fitness kick, we made our return to running.  I remember making some short term, midterm and long term goals and posted it on the refrigerator.   The long term goal was to run Boston before my daughter graduated from high school.  The short term goal was building the base to return to marathon distance. We ran our first half marathon in June of 2009 on part of the Ironman course in Kona, Hawaii.  I finished in 1:48 and the running passion was reignited.

Before I had to return to knee braces!!

Such a happy time for us...back to running and in Hawaii!

I registered for three marathons in 2009 to attempt a BQ time.  The first marathon was the San Francisco hilly Marathon course in July of 2009. My husband ran the half.  This was an exciting little excursion with my mom and daughter who joined us for the trip.  The ups and downs took a toll on my knees.  I pushed myself through the legendary parts of San Fran, but with the hills and the long course was unable to obtain a Boston qualifier time. The Golden Gate Bridge is not quite as glamorous when you are running across it. The metal plates over the expansion joints are slick, requiring focus and caution to keep from slipping, but running on the Golden Gate Bridge is a cherished memory.  Another memory indelibly imprinted in my mind is the rope that would go up rerouting the runners to opens roads to traffic.  It happened four times to me and extended my final distance to 26.7 Not to complain, it was a great feeling to be running marathons again and having my mom and daughter there with me made it extra special. 

Still wearing cotton shirts!!

My daughter who only runs for fitness now was a very good little runner in middle school and high school.

  I am sure she went into cross country at the push of her mother, but she is and always will be my pride and joy. I know, I know I said that already, but it is still true! She was a good little athlete in soccer, cross country, track, band and a straight A student. Shameless plug for my baby girl.  I can still remember when she was that little second grader riding her bike alongside me as I went on some of my training runs. Anyhow, we were a running family at the time and I had a goal to accomplish before my baby went off to college.

In October 2009,  my next marathon was the Cowtown Marathon in Sacramento, the last year it was the full marathon distance.  The following year it was renamed the Urban Cow Half Marathon since the name was already being used for a marathon in Fort Worth, Texas. I can't recall too many detailed from the run, but I do have a few standout memories from the monumental day of first Boston qualifier.  

We ate dinner at the IKEA store since it was near our hotel and my husband loves Swedish meatballs. He was after all there just to support me in my quest, the least I could do is let him pick the dinner location.  It is not the best option prior to a marathon, but it seems to be a precursor to some of our interesting marathon meals throughout the 50 states.  I don't remember what I ate, but he ate those meatballs with gusto.  On race morning, I ate some Honey Nut Cheerios and a "Whatchamacallit" candy bar. I think I need to try eating the same thing for all BQ attempts.  It was the candy bar that got me over the finish line in time. I am sure of it!  

It was a two loop course and my strategy was to go out fairly aggressively in the first loop and hang on for dear life in the second.  This is not what the experts say to do, but it is what I did.  I ran the first half with the 3:40 pace group.  I was just ahead of the group for the first portion.  Somewhere in the second half, I let that group go or maybe they left me in the dust!  Being that it was a loop course with a section of out and back I saw the 3:50 pacer at points and I did not want to see him come up behind me.  I needed a 3:50 to qualify and there was a 59 second grace period at the time.  I feared that 3:50 pacer sign.  It was a shadow I did not need to see sneaking up from behind.  I thought of that stick as a scythe the grim reaper carries and I wanted to stay as far ahead of him as possible.  Somewhere past the twenty mile point, I approached a runner who was hitting the wall ~even Humpty Dumpty had wall issues...  She was struggling and her pain was obvious!  Who hasn't been there! She had a friend  desperately trying to motivate her and help her through, but it wasn't going to happen.  I wish I had that friend to take along to motivate me to the end.  She was so inspiring and saying all the right things, but when the tank is empty, it is empty!  

I was definitely getting tired, but I wanted to go to Boston. I was pushing and fighting the whole way.  I talked to someone in the final miles, I am not sure if it was the 3:45 pacer but it was obviously someone I wanted to encourage me.  I asked do you think I can make it?  When she asked what time I needed and I said 3:50 she told me, "You can make it," and it helped me fight on.  Somewhere around mile 23 there was Coke at an aid station. It was the best Coke I ever tasted and the sugar gave me an energy boost.  The final mile was pure pain to keep running and pushing to make my time.  I was definitely struggling.  My husband ran the half and he was there at the end.  He ran through  the finish with me.  I don't remember much about the finish area, but my husband says that I said, "I did it, I can't believe I did, I am going to Boston!"  I do remember calling my mom when we got in the car and telling her I did it!  My qualifying time was 3:49:41.  That time would definitely not get me in today with the new system, but it got me into Boston 2010!

All I had!

The final marathon of the year was the Fresno Marathon in November of 2009.  It was going to be my last attempt to qualify, but instead it was just a sweet run with no pressure. I knew I could run to enjoy it.

No pressure!

State #16 Sugarland, Texas

February 1, 2015

Motivation tends to wane at the end of each year.  Once the holidays hit, it is a period of rest and indulgence...resulting in weight gain at the beginning of each new year.  Having committed ourselves to pace The USA Fit Marathon, we need to get fit quick.  January is all about running to prepare for our fun little trip to Sugarland, Texas, the first of many pacing gigs for the year.

It is a short marathon trip to pace and pick up state #16 with little time for sightseeing.  A drive around the city gives a glimpse of the area.

The race director, a super nice lady, leaves our bibs and finisher jackets at the front desk of our hotel. I love when a marathon gives out jackets unfortunately, the jacket for my husband is extra large and way too big. I know we like to eat and all, but extra large is too big.  After checking in we are feeling pretty tired, but not too tired for my favorite time of day...dinner time!  A pizza place is in close proximity to the hotel and that's where we go. We run marathons, we eat pizza and that is the way it is...no apologies!! (Maybe that is part of the problem.)

Looks better than it tastes!

The pizza looks good but is not the best and definitely not the worst either. We stop at a popular Texas grocery store chain called "Heb" for bananas and water on the way back to the hotel. I wouldn't mind taking home the cool porch furniture on display as we enter the store! (Wooden swing with a Texas star map medallion built into the design)

Do we know how to have fun, when we travel or what~easily entertained!  Back at the hotel it is time to guzzle down water before bed. I like to drink a bottle or two before going to sleep. On race morning, I drink very little to prevent pee stops during the run. It is a short drive to the University of Houston, Sugarland Campus. The plentiful parking makes it a fast trip to the start area to pick up the pacing signs and exchange my husband's jacket with the race director for a smaller size. She even lets me use the VIP bathroom and avoid a long line for the porta potties~a highlight for me.  The small things in life can bring such joy. 

Overall, the two loop course is good with a small field of runners. One thing about Texas, besides everything being bigger, is that the roads are all concrete...much harder on the feet. Roads in California are all asphalt-concrete mix with a little more give with each foot strike making it a more comfortable running surface. Pure concrete hurts. I don't know if it is all in my mind, but it seems harder on the body. I try to minimize impact by avoiding sidewalks whenever possible which is super easy to do if I sit on the couch. (Sometimes I do too much couch sitting, but that is a story for another day!) Texas is hot and humid...a sweaty kind of hot and the weather has me worried my husband might melt.  

The lack of water in the first six miles is another concern. I am ready and looking for water stations. We run....wait...hope...there will be water soon. It is my only complaint about the marathon. The second loop lacks water in the same sections obviously.  I can only hope it does not affect my husband too much. Water stations are good from mile six to mile thirteen with positive and enthusiastic volunteers! My group consists of full and  half marathon runners.

I get to run practically to the finish line before the full marathoners turn around at the orange cone while the half marathons cross the finish line. It is slightly demoralizing to be so close to the finish and circle the cone to start the second loop over again all by myself.  Me and the hard concrete, until I see my husband on the out and back section. He is on pace and doing well, but is runner less as well. The temperature is rising and I hope he hangs on as the heat sizzles. I eventually catch runners as they begin to slow down along the course and strike up conversations. I learn the history of the race. The popular Houston marathon tends to sell out and many runners do not get the opportunity to run it. This race was created to reach the overflow and appeals to runners who prefer a smaller marathon event. 

Eventually I lose all my people, but keep cruising along. Once I hit mile twenty I reach a runner who asks me if I am on pace. I tell him that I am and he joins me.  The heat today has humbled him.  He planned to run a sub four, but now he is fighting to finish at my pace of 4:30. We talk some, but mainly he needs to focus on maintaining his pace. We keep running and tough it out together. As we round the curve, the clock comes into view and with a final kick, we finish in 4:29:58! That is too close for comfort, but I am  happy to hit my mark. I sit on the curb for awhile watching runners come in. When the 4:15 pacer comes in after me with a devastated look on his face, I fear it may happen to my husband too. The 5:00 hour pacer also misses his mark.  My husband is nowhere in sight, but he slips through the finish. The heat and limited water in the beginning section affects many runners. It doesn't feel good, to be off pace, but it happens! In the post race area we grab refreshments and "the finisher shirt" only given out when runners complete the marathon.  

Despite the heat, it is a fun experience. I love the spirit of the race director who puts lots of heart into the event. I hope it gets bigger and better every year. Now, it's time to get back to the hotel and clean up for lunch. We venture downtown with lots of interesting places. It is hard to pick a place and settle on a Mexican establishment that turns out to be rather disappointing. Too bad we can't have a second loop on lunch! Once back at The Hilton Garden Inn a Superbowl viewing party in the bar is the best place to hang out and sip a few beers. 

Instead of "kicking asphalt"  it should say "kicking concrete"

Flying home after the race would maximize our time, but we spend an extra night. With a few hours before our flight, we drive by the hospital in Houston where the show "My Six Hundred Pound Life" is filmed. Like so many people, I have struggled my entire life with weight fluctuations and a love-hate relationship with food. It is a continual battle to find a balance between eating right and enjoying food. Nonetheless, I am fascinated by our society's obsession with weight and all the implications. It is interesting to see University Hospital the focal point for change as the show chronicles the difficult experiences of the morbidly obese as they desperately attempt to overcome addiction through weight loss surgery. Dr. Nowzaradan is one of few doctors willing to operate on severely overweight individuals in hopes of providing a second chance at life. The obesity epidemic is America's new norm. Running is my way to manage and control my weight~rather unsuccessfully. My fight continues as I strive to understand the complexities, especially the psychology component, that so many of us battle on a daily basis as we struggle to overcome weight issues.

The zoo entrance

Houston is named after Sam Houston, an American soldier and politician. He secured independence for Texas from Mexico.

The Pioneer Memorial honors the early pioneers and the founders of Houston.  It was built in 1936 to celebrate Texas independence. It reminds me of the reflecting pool in Washington D.C.  After our little tour of the hospital and park, it is time to fly home!

Oh, you are back again!

State #17 Brainerd, Minnesota

April 25, 2015

                                       The land of 10,000 Lakes

How can we pass up on an opportunity to pace a race, stay at a lodge by the lake and pick up another new state.  I am learning to think first before shouting out to my husband, "How about this race?"  Once I do, he commits to going to whatever race I mention.  As the race name comes out of my mouth, he looks it up and decides we are going before I can even look up the logistics and expense.   Upon further research, I realize we can't make it a double and it may not be the wisest choice economically. My husband works with a guy who grew up in the area and now we are going to Minnesota.  I am so glad we make the trip happen. After an exhaustive computer search, I find reasonable flights and the cabin is part of the pacing gig.  We fly into Minneapolis and drive two hours (turns into three with traffic) to Nisswa where the race begins.  Wow, if you think Los Angeles traffic is bad try Minneapolis in the late afternoon hours, pretty rough. I quickly learn the two seasons for Minnesota, WINTER ...and ROAD CONSTRUCTION. We are definitely there during ROAD CONSTRUCTION SEASON forcing me to work on my patience, a skill my daughter feels I lack!!

After a longer than expected drive, we make it to packet pick-up at the Brainerd Grand View Lodge on Lake Gull.  We are able to get the pacers signs and bibs before finding the pacer cabin located right near the lake with beautiful views.

The large nine bedroom cabin is very nice with a large comfortable living room, sitting room, and a game room.

After settling in we take a walk down to the lake and around the grounds before walking up to the the main lodge and restaurant for dinner. Get excited almost time for dinner!!

My husband has a Walleye fish sandwich and I have a burger at the bar and talk with a local who is fascinated with our fifty state journey especially since he is very inebriated. (Doesn't everything sound interesting after a few drinks) It is a very busy place on a Friday night. Usually the lake is still frozen at this time of year, we are happy for what the locals call a mild winter.  I find that hysterical! If you live in Minnesota MILD WINTER is an incomprehensible concept to my  California weakling butt. Many Minnesotans come to the lake lodge for weekend getaways, weddings, family reunions and other special occasions.

Once back at the cabin we get ready for race morning and settle in for some television before bed.  The Diane Sawyer special about Bruce Jenner happens to be on! Life is definitely full of surprises. Race morning will be a cool one for me. I wear a jacket and gloves for the entire marathon ideal running weather and I never feel too warm. It is perfect for my husband, no chance for a meltdown with these temperatures.  He is terribly affected by rays of sunshine and heat. After a short drive to downtown Nisswa, we park in front of the chamber of commerce building that has nice warm bathrooms open to runners. I love small town marathon events for the awesome hospitality. The start is near the finish line area and I stake a spot behind the "start line" before the race gets underway. 

I run and chat with a gentlemen from Minnesota for the first few miles who has run several marathons and is trying for a P. R.  He plans to run with me for awhile and eventually pick up his pace. I tell him in all honesty if he wants a P.R. he needs to go for it with a strong push from the beginning and maintain throughout the race. He continues to run with me, but eventually says he is going to take my advice and steps up his pace. I never encounter him again! I wish I asked his name to find out his time later. He is at least under 4:14!  Most runners are just doing their own thing. Often in small marathons there are only a few people that run in the pace groups. This is also a half marathon and I strike up a conversation with two local ladies. We talk about their state and how they endure the cold winters. It is just a cultural thing, I guess you adapt to your environment.  I marvel at their training in the winter months.  I have a great time talking with these two ladies. One lady, a grandmother of four, is feeling good and pushes ahead in the last few miles.  I run with the other lady until the turn off when she heads to the finish line and I turn for my second loop of the course.

Nice scenic course!

The second half is a desolate run by myself.  Most of the runners do the half and I run many miles alone except for an occasional faster paced relay runner. In the latter portion of the race, I pick up some runners. I am jigsawing with an older gentlemen who is struggling, yet holding his own and fighting to maintain pace. When we hit a gradual hill he sighs in disgust as I pull ahead. The last five miles of any marathon can reveal runners in various states of agony.  I do my best to encourage, but sometimes saying nothing is best. Around the twenty-three mile mark I approach a women and she turns and says, "Oh my God you are an Angel!" She stays with me to the finish.  Once we are really close I tell her to go ahead and give it all she has to the end. It is encounters with runners that make pacing so rewarding. I don't get nervous running marathons anymore, but I do when I pace. There is so much more at stake when other runners are counting on me to keep a steady pace.

Love seeing the American Flag!!

I feel really good with my effort as I cross the finish line thirty seconds under my 4:15 pace, right on target. I sit on the bleachers and cheer runners as they come down the chute, until I feel myself getting super cold in my wet clothes.  It's my cue to get to the car and change into dry clothes before my teeth start chattering.  As I walk back to the finish area, I see my husband running the final stretch.  He doesn't have any runners with him, but he hits his pace target as well.  It's a good day for two pacers from California!

We both successfully complete our pacing times!! 

Since we are spending an extra night in Minneapolis, there is no need to hurry. Back at the cabin, we shower and organize our luggage. Backpacks are way easier and less burdensome~for future reference.  Another pacer at the cabin hangs around and chats for awhile. He is an experienced runner with well over two hundred marathons under his belt, quite impressive.  Once he leaves we take our time enjoying the lake area.

My husband throws a few horseshoes, something he did all the time growing up.  We sit in the Adirondack chairs and stare out at the endless lake. The van parked near our cabin turns out to be  the cleaning crew.  Must be time for us to leave this slice of heaven. After a quick look through the main lodge and gift shop, it is time to go.

All of a sudden, my ravaging hunger hits, time to feed the beast. We look for...what else some PIZZA!.  I am beyond starving without any snacks to quiet my "inner hungry hippo."  We use our phones to find a place to eat and apparently the place we choose does not exist or GPS is just confused on how to get there.  After what seems like an entire afternoon of searching~may be an extreme exaggeration~we abandoned that idea. Sometimes there is just no reasoning with a hungry hippo and my patience goes out the window! I wonder how my husband tolerates me all these years. After driving practically all the way back to Minneapolis, I tell hubby to STOP anywhere even if it's Taco Bell! Almost like a magical mirage, he pulls the car into a place called Pizza Ranch.

It's a chain we do not have in California. It seems like a buffet type place. I am not sure if it will be good, but it is very busy with a long line. A lady in front of us says it is really good. Now, we want a Pizza Ranch in California. Well maybe not, we might end up becoming marathon eaters instead.  After stuffing ourselves like little "Porky the Pigs" with pizza, chicken mashed potatoes and a great salad bar our food intake for the day is complete... no late night snacks  necessary.

In a food coma, we just want to get to our hotel and lay down but nobody is at the counter.  I wait for what feels like fifteen minutes, my husband comes in to see what's going on.  The guy isn't even apologetic when he finally comes out. It is an omen to the bad night to come. There are many sports teams staying at the hotel and our room is right next to a noisy conference room that remains loud until the wee hours of the morning! A call to the front desk does nothing to quiet the raucous crowd. Needless to say, we are tired and slightly grumpy in the morning. (Note to self~think about room location in the future...key word think.) With a late night flight home we have lots of time to wearily explore the city.  A walk through the Minnesota Sculpture Garden yields some interesting sights and art pieces.

A short walk around one of the many lakes seems like a good post recovery activity on a beautiful spring day in the city. Too bad the winters are so brutal. There are tons of people out walking and running.

Lake Harriet

The walk starts out as a simple stroll until it becomes a walk around the entire perimeter As we look back we are at the point of no return and manage three exhausting miles back to the car. Maybe a nap in the car is a better idea...

It is a very long walk around the lake!

That walk deserves some lunch at a place called The 5*8 Club for a Juicy Lucy.  The cheese is cooked in the center of the burger. It isn't as good as I anticipate, but it hits the spot with a Grain Belt beer!

A quick stop downtown to get a picture of the Mary Tyler Moore statue seems like a good idea too for a bit of nostalgia. We both grew up watching the show.  

The last stop of the day is the Mall of America. It is huge with an indoor amusement park and I find my mini me.

My own hungry hippo lives inside me!

At the airport we miss the turn for our car rental place. My husband hops out to take the luggage to baggage check-in and I have to literally drive out and around the airport to come back into the car return~Only Us!  Every time we travel there is something. On my way to check-in I am  finishing a Diet Coke, texting my husband and carrying a bag as I try to sit down I miss the chair. I clumsily land on the floor spill the Coke everywhere and hit my head on the concrete wall! Wow how embarrassing, but I am sure those around me got a chuckle at my expense. Eventually, my husband finds me on the floor! Lesson learned: don't drink, text, drag a carry-on and try to sit at the same time. I don't even remember the flight or the drive home, but I never forget the glorious feeling of pulling into the driveway, knowing a little furry face will greet me! Climbing into bed with my little fur ball is the best ending to every trip even if she is slightly hostile at being left again!

Wow...you ran another marathon!