Race all 50 states – Page 4

Category: Race all 50 states

16
Feb
2016

Race shirts: Favorites and the ones we love to hate

categories: Race all 50 states, Rock 'n' Roll Race, RunDisney, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

I will confess that I rarely keep any of my race shirts. The year I ran 14 RnR half marathons, I got 14 shirts but did not keep any of them. They were all nice shirts (Brooks) but really what was I supposed to do with 14 shirts? There has been one or two races in which I had the option of not receiving the race shirt in exchange for a few dollars off my registration fee.

However, I have kept a couple of them mainly because of the materials and the color/cut.

Route 66 Half Marathon

2. Princeton Half Marathon >>My favorite one.

3. Des Moines Half Marathon

I like the shirts from the Bank of America races (Nike brand) but do not keep them either. Not sure why since I do like the cut. But I prefer the finisher’s shirt I bought at the outlet store. It was about $16 three weeks after the marathon.

The “ugliest” looking shirt is this one. I mean, seriously?

I did keep my Run Disney long sleeve shirts but only because I wear them at night when I go to sleep. That extra layer keeps me warm throughout the cold Chicago winters.

I know some runners have had quilts made from their race shirts and I kind of regret not saving mine. Seeing hers made me want to have one for me so you bet I will start saving my shirts. Pretty cool right? This one is from Kimberly who blogs at KookyRunner.

Do you keep your race shirts? For you or to make a quilt as well?

02
Feb
2016

Spring Race Plans

categories: Race all 50 states, Rock 'n' Roll Race, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

I am very excited about my upcoming Spring races! I know it isn’t in the Spring season but my first race this year is RnR NOLA on February 28th. I did the marathon in 2013 and am excited to go back for another race. My two sisters and nephew are also going so it should be fun!!

Next on my calendar is the Live Grit 10 Miler. I’ve done this race a couple times but I think last year was the worst one. The weather started off perfect but then throughout the race it must have dropped about 20 degrees and was windy. You bet I was cold. On the good side, I got a chance to meet Wendy and Marcia. The race course is along the lakefront but on the north side which I enjoy because I normally run on the south side and like the change of scenery. Hopefully the weather cooperates this year. Love the medal too.

Next is the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. This is one of my favorite races. I love the distance and the location. The start and finish line are the same as the Chicago Marathon. I managed to get a PR in 2014 but missed it in 2015 and you bet I am aiming for one this year. Check out the medal. Pretty cool huh?

I have a few half marathons in various states that are still in the works. For sure I am going to Michigan for the Bayshore Half Marathon (May 28) and West Virginia for the Harpers Ferry Half Marathon (May 14). I am working on logistics for the Garmin Half Marathon on April 16. That’s three states. My goal is to run in at least 5 different states this year. I’m not sure about the Run for the Zoo Half Marathon in NM on May 1 because that will be 3 half marathons in one month. I know it is doable. I am just worried about how my body will respond to it.

I may register for a 5k and/or 10K since I have not done one in years. The Run to Remember 5K in May is a great one but always gets so crowded. I’ve been wanting to run both The Good Life Race 5K and the Ravenswood Run 5K and a few running friends have said good things about both races. I have not made up my mind about the Illinois Marathon Relay also in April. We had a good time (even if it rained throughout the whole race) and it looks like this year more of my friends also want to run the relay.

Summer and fall races is a whole different story. I will leave that for another post.

This is how I feel.

Any fun races for you?

19
Jan
2016

Garmin Marathon (or Half) FREE Entry Giveaway – Let’s go to the Land of Oz!!

categories: Giveaway, Race all 50 states, Running

“Follow the yellow brick road, follow the yellow brick road
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the yellow-brick road
Follow the yellow-brick, follow the yellow-brick
Follow the yellow-brick road”

How many of you grew up singing the lyrics to that song? I started off late and didn’t see the movie till about 6 years ago when I showed it to my 1st graders. We also read a kid’s version of the book which we all enjoyed. However, I do remember seeing the play when I was in grade school but have no clue why I did not see the movie.

Anyway, did you know that there are several races (marathon, full marathon, 10k and Kids Run) sponsored by Garmin in Olathe (O-Lay-th), KS on April 16, 2016? Who wants to go? For all of you Wizard of Oz fans and/or Garmin fans, this is a MUST run event. Also, if you are like me and want to run a race in each state, then this is another reason to take a trip to “The Land of Oz”. In addition, if you’re a Marathon Maniacs or Half Fanatics member, there will be an all new Maniac Corner with an indoor VIP area with private restrooms and FREE post race food. If you’ve run the William Route 66 Marathon/Half Marathon, then you know it is a memorable experience for all runners.

The new 2016 race course includes small rolling hills, commercial development areas, residential streets and paved suburban running trail. Love the variety! The races will also feature a new 2016 start and finish near the recently opened Embassy Suites Hotel and Olathe Conference Center, located at Kansas Highway 10 and Ridgeview Road. Hotel rooms are filling up quickly so make sure to make your reservation at either the Embassy Suites Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, or Holiday Inn Express.

“The Emerald City Finish Line Festival” will also take place there where you’ll find many wonderful freebies for runners including bananas, chocolate milk, granola, post race meal, beer, adjustments, massage, yoga stretching & live music.

Check out the sweet bling! Two of my friends, Elizabeth and Kim, ran this race two years ago. Make sure to check out their recaps.

The Garmin Marathon has graciously decided to give away ONE entry to either the marathon or half marathon. To enter, click on the image below where you will be directed to Gleam and enter several different ways such as leaving a blog post comment; following me, Garmin Marathon, and Garmin on Instagram, visiting the Garmin Marathon Facebook page, or tweeting about the giveaway. For the winner, I will also send you a package with some running essentials which includes a pair of Lock Laces and 2 bottles of Nuun Active tablets (I have several flavors in stock).

This giveaway will run for seven days. The winner will be selected on the eighth day. This one will run through January 26th at 11:59pm. The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be contacted via the email address associated with their Gleam account and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.

Disclaimer: If you have already registered for the 2016 Garmin Marathon Full, Half or 10K; and you win the Gleam raffle; you will not be allowed a refund; however, you would be allowed to accept the prize for a friend.

26
Jul
2015

Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon

categories: Race all 50 states, Race Recap, Running

Another really late post. I am usually really good about posting race recaps right away but somehow I slacked with this one. It won’t happen again.

I ran the Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon on Saturday, July 11. So that was state #34 for me. You can read about what I did the day before here.

The race began at 7:15am so I was up at 6, got ready, ate, and headed out with Sonya and Kim. The start line was about a mile away from our apartment. On the way there I saw a Residence Inn so I took advantage of it to use a real bathroom. I said goodbye to the girls and went to do my business. I walked to the start line and waited for the runners in the first wave to start. Then about 5 minutes later it was my turn to run. It was so crowded. I am not a fast runner but I still had to weave around a few runners. Plus, it did not help that it was a narrow path.

Honestly, I don’t remember too much about the race except that it was HOT. Plus, I was miserable and couldn’t wait to finish the race. Earlier I told Kim that my goal was to finish under 2:30. I was still at mile 12 when I saw those numbers on my watch. Honestly, I did not care because all I wanted to do was cross the finish line. We ran around a lake that seemed to go on forever. It reminded me of the one in the IMS Des Moines Half Marathon. There was absolutely no shade and I mostly walked (but in Des Moines it wasn’t as hot).

I remember the 2:30 group caught up with me before mile 6 and I decided to run with them. I ran with them for a few minutes but there was a hill and I simply had no energy to keep up with them. I was very impressed with this 10 year girl that was running with her mom. There was also a cop in uniform gear. That shut me up and I did not complain anymore.

At mile 12 there was this group doing yoga.

ShipyardOldPortHalfMarathon27 — Photo credit: Kim Reed

ShipyardOldPortHalfMarathon23 — L to R: Kim, me, Sonya

ShipyardOldPortHalfMarathon31 — Lunch at Bayside American Cafe. I had the Bayside BLT with lobster.

Overall, I did like the course. There were many wonderful volunteers and thanks to them I had plenty of water to drink and to dump on my head to cool down. The medal is pretty neat too. After the race I told the girls that I did not like it. Obviously I was not in the right state of mind when I made that comment. One cool thing that the race offers is free race photos to the runners. Here is one that I cropped because, well, I do not like the rest of it.

Portland is a fun place to visit so make sure to stay a day or two to enjoy everything it has to offer.

Next race: Chicago Half Marathon, September 27 as part of the CARA Marathon Incentive Program.

17
Jun
2015

Covered Bridges Half Marathon

categories: Race all 50 states, Race Recap, Running, Travel

Almost two weeks ago I went to Vermont to run in state #33. Jaime and I had registered for this race back in December and it sold out in a few hours.

My flight left at 7am with a layover in Baltimore and that is where Jaime boarded the plane. I had not seen her since November for the Tulsa Route 66 Half Marathon. An hour later we were in Manchester, NH picking up the rental car and on our way to get something to eat cause we were starving. We found a cute and delicious sushi place not too far from the airport.

Then it was time to head out to Vermont. Beautiful drive!

The race directors did a good job of sending emails on a regular basis with helpful race information. Somehow we missed the part letting us know that bib pickup was only available on race day. Jaime and I arrived in Woodstock (cute little town) only to find out that we were to pick up our bibs the next day. We’ve both run a lot of races and have never heard of such a ridiculous thing. We know some races offer bib pickup the day before AND on race day but never only on race day. Well, since we were there already we walked around for a bit. Jaime found a magnet for her collection. We went inside another store and they were offering complimentary drinks for the customers.

For dinner we went to a Mediterranean place and ate hummus, falafel, zucchini pancakes and a bunch of other things. I had woken up really early that day for my flight and was asleep by 9:30.

My body likes messing with me and I was awake at 4:30 but really it was 3:30 since I was still on central time. An hour later I got up, got ready, and went downstairs to see what was available for us at the breakfast buffet. There was fruit, bagels, cereal, oatmeal and other stuff. My favorite was the pancake maker. I made two of them for me and went back upstairs.

The race began at 8:15 so why the heck were we leaving our hotel at 6am?! Well, we had to drive to Quechee Village Lot, leave our car, and then get on a shuttle bus to take us to the start line at Suicide Six Ski Area. The whole trip from the hotel to the start line took 45 minutes. That meant we had to wait 1 1/2 for the race to start. It was cold. I took a long sleeve shirt and was still cold. I used the port-a-potties after I got my bib and once again before the start of the race. We were both annoyed that we had to wait so long for the race.

Finally it was time to run. I took off my long sleeve shirt and wrapped it around my waist. I knew I was going to be hot once I began running. I had clear instructions from my coach. She told me to run miles 1-5 @11:30; miles 5-10 @10:45-11:00; and miles 10-13 to go as hard as I felt comfortable. I had every intention of doing what she planned for me. Did not follow her plan. I finished my first mile in 9:15. I couldn’t believe it because I did not realize I was going that fast. I did try to slow down and my next two miles were done in 10:07 and 10:28. At mile 4 (10:24) I stopped to take a picture. At mile 5 (10:46) I walked a little bit while I ate my energy gel. My watch lost connection at mile 6.24 and was working again 2 miles later. It was still way off based on the mile markers.

There was this massive hill around mile 8 and I just simply cursed. And I walked too.

At mile 12 there was this woman yelling that we were almost done and I seriously wanted to tell her to shut up. It really bugs me when people are yelling and screaming at the runners telling us we were almost done when we really were not almost done. You can say that to me when I am .25 miles from the finish line but not 1 mile away. I had taken an ibuprofen after mile 6 so my legs weren’t sore. Ha, once that wrote off I was sore for two days. Once I knew I was close to the finish line, I ran as quickly as I could and finished in 2:19:51 @10:41 average pace. I heard the announcer call out my name and said something about Chicago Cubs tickets.

I am very pleased with my finish time. It is my second best half marathon finish time. My PR (2:17:01) is still from the Hartford Half Marathon in 2013.

Then came the tricky part. My cell phone was not working so there was no way to get a hold of Jaime. I sent her two texts but they were taking a long time to get through. I also called her several times but got disconnected. Finally, by some miracle I got her text letting me know that she was next to the stage. I turned around to look for her and saw her walking towards me. In my text I told her that I would meet her by the car. I saw some cars up ahead and assumed that was where we left our car that morning. Wrong. We still had to hike almost a mile to get to the parking lot. Why make the runners walk almost a mile after running 13.1 miles on a hilly course? Plus, we still had to shower, check out of the hotel, drive to Manchester, and eat before Jaime’s 2:50 flight back to Baltimore.

Overall, I thought it was a very pretty course. The weather was perfect during the race. The shaded areas were wonderful. The volunteers were great. Great tshirt color too. However, the logistics were horrible. I am somewhat OK with the flight to Manchester and the 1 1/2 drive to the race location. I did not like the early wake up call (still better than Disney races), the long wait prior to the race, and definitely not the walk back to our car. Jaime and I had talked about doing again some of the races we’re run before such as the Little Rock and RnR New Orleans. The Vermont race is definitely not on that list. I guess maybe I am spoiled and like it when I can walk and it is easy to get to the start line and then back to the hotel after the race. I remember that for the Little Rock Half Marathon the start line was literally outside the hotel. I am NOT saying not to do this race but just giving you a little heads up on what to expect.

What has been your “most challenging race to get go?” Next race is Elmhurst 4 on the 4th. This will be my 3rd year running it and I am looking forward to it.