Marathon 25 – 5 days away!

When I sit back and think about it, I am truly astonished!

The Quarter Century mark!  I know there are people out there who have run hundreds of marathons.  You know, those 100 marathon clubs, and such.  Well, with my marathon this weekend, I feel like I am really hitting a pretty significant milestone.

The All American Marathon this Sunday will be my 25th marathon.  What began as a simple quest, pushing myself further than I ever thought possible, has turned into quite the passion.  It all began in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2012.  My first marathon.  Races, places, I’ve been a few places since that first one.  My journey has taken me to 8 different states.  Of course I’ve run the majority of my marathons in my home state of North Carolina, but I’ve ventured out a few times.  ;). Tackling America’s Toughest Road Marathon in Virginia, enjoying plentiful neon at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas marathon in Nevada, running past Moose at Big Cottonwood in Utah, being cheered on twice by millions of spectators in Illinois at the infamous Bank of America Chicago Marathon, running high up in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, and most recently taking a running bite out of the Big Apple at the TCS New York City Marathon.  Many, many more inbetween.

Yes, the journey continues.  Still loving it, still competing, and doing more pacing.  I’m not shooting for the elusive Boston Qualifier this weekend, I am pacing instead.  I will lead the 4:00:00 group to a fun finish for my 25th this Sunday.  I’m getting very excited!  The All American Marathon this Sunday is a milestone to celebrate for me.  It also kicks off a new chapter.  Where will the next 25 take me?  The possibilities are endless!  Cheers!

Major Announcement

Since becoming a marathoner almost 4 years ago, I knew I was destined to run this amazing 26.2 mile distance again and again.  All it took was that first race, that first finish line.  I wanted more, in fact I craved it.

Every runner has a path.  My path has been very exciting, all the while learning about myself, my body and how to run injury free.  The path hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve made mistakes along the way.  Who doesn’t?  The main thing to focus on is the process.  How to get yourself to the starting line, and how best to cross the finish line.  To date, I have now crossed the marathon finish line 23 times.  I am full of gratitude just thinking about that number.  Each race offers a unique runner experience, and in fact, over the next few months I will be hopefully adding another 4 marathon finishes to my repertoire.  Asheville, All American, Rock ‘n’ Roll Raleigh, and Herald of Victory all by the end of May.  How lucky am I?

My marathon journey affords me chances to challenge myself beyond my wildest imagination.  It really is no joke to set out on a 26.2 mile run.  For my ability to run, I am so thankful.  My journey also gives me chances to travel to places I may not have  gone otherwise.  For example, I’ve been to Chicago twice now in two years, both times to run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.  I’ve only been to NYC once now in the past 18 years, and why?  Yep, you guessed it, to run the TCS New York City Marathon.  Marathons get me places, take me places and sometimes even put me in my place.  I’ve been to Colordao once in my life.  Yes, to run a marathon.  I’ve been to Utah once, again, for a 26.2.  Where to next?  I’ve never been to Boston, but I want to go!  (I’m working on it!).

Amazing marathons exist all over the globe, and I hope to have the chance to travel abroad to many great races.  I recently entered the lottery to run the BMW Berlin Marathon this year, but didn’t get in.  I’ll keep trying.  Eventually I would love to run all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors.  As my marathon journeys continue, so will my chances to get into the final four majors that I haven’t been so lucky or fortunate to run yet.  What’s left on the list?  Of course the coveted BAA Boston Marathon, but also the Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, and Tokyo Marathon.  This list leads me to my Major Announcement…..  I have been named an Abbott World Marathon Major Ambassador!!!  Yes!  So excited to help spread the word of marathoning and working with this great organization.  I hope you’ll enjoy this journey with me.

Berlin Marathon

I’ve sort of adopted a new goal over this past year, and it’s a pretty lofty one.  Like many of my readers, I really enjoy traveling.  It’s super fun to be able to travel and to race during the same trip, too.  I’m not altogether sure how realistic this goal is, but I would really love to be able to run each of the six Marathon Majors in the world before I retire from marathoning.

In 2014, with a stroke of good luck, I was able to run the 1st of the Big 6.  Chicago!  Big city marathons are a production.  Thousands of runners, millions of spectators.  I sort of fell in love with the grandeur of it all.  I checked that one off the list.  When I decided to run New York City this year for charity, it meant that I would be running my 2nd of the Big 6.  Again, an epic race and experience.  Finishing NYC a few weeks ago meant that I had completed 1/3 of the Marathon Majors.  I kinda like this gig!

So, it begs to question…. where to next?  There are four remaining races that I need to run to complete this goal.  The last four are London, Tokyo, Berlin and Boston.  All require travel, and trips abroad, to boot.  Expensive!  Then there’s Boston.  Maybe the hardest one for me to achieve.  Those damn qualifying standards!

Recently, on a whim, I decided to enter the Berlin Marathon lottery.  The race isn’t until late September in 2016, so if I get in, there is plenty of time to plan the trip.  An epic trip it would be, too.  I’ve never even been abroad.  Never been to Europe.  Wouldn’t that be just an amazing reason to travel to another continent for the first time?  I should know if I get in or not in another few weeks.  The lottery drawing occurs the first week of December.

Curious to know if anyone out there reading this has run the Berlin Marathon in the past?  What did you think?  Would you run it again?  How about anyone out there that has run Tokyo, or London?  Which was your favorite?

I am excited, and a bit nervous to hear the results of the lottery.  If I’m chosen, the journey continues.  If not, which direction, which race will be next?  I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

Chicago Marathon 2015- Race Recap

What can I say about thus amazing race that hasn’t already been said?  I’ve read so many awesome reviews, comments, posts and recaps.  It seems this race just does not fail to deliver a first rate, amazing experiences to runners from all over the world.  Here is my experience along with a few photos.

Back when I first learned that I made it into the race for the second straight year, there was really hardly ever a question in my mind that I would run it.  Yes, it’s expensive.  $185 just to secure your spot.  Then there’s travel expenses, and for me that includes, flights, hotel, food and various other things.  I knew it was going to be an expensive affair, but after my amazing experience in Chicago in 2014, I knew I had to go back for more!

My flight to Chicago left home early in the morning the day before the race.  It was a very easy two hour direct flight that landed me in Illinois at 8:30am.  I had been toying for quite some time about if I would attempt to just go directly to my hotel and try to check in, or to go directly to the race expo and get it out of the way.  Since I was just using train service again this year, I figured it just best to go on straight to McCormick Place and breeze through the expo.  We took the Orange train from Midway to Roosevelt, and then hoofed it about 1.6 miles lugging along baggage and carry-ons.  That was a mistake.  It didn’t look that far on the map.  Should have taken the Green line south one stop, but didn’t.  Lesson learned if I go back to Chicago for a third time!

The expo hadn’t been open that long on Saturday when I arrived, but it was packed to the gills.  A huge expo, but such an amazing set-up.  So easy to pick up bib and timing chip, with a full walk through the convention center to grab race shirt and bag.  I was actually impressed with the shirt this year.  Last years was gray, and a bit lackluster.  I ended up choosing to wear last years shirt for the race this year, and painted my name on it.  I wanted to be cheered for!  Here’s a look at my race day shirt and bib.  I also painted “Lucky 21” on the back, since this was my 21st marathon.

You’ll get to see this years race shirt with my medal at the end of the post.  ;). Since I spent a fairly significant amount of time at the expo last year, I really didn’t have a need to shop around or look at much.  I wanted to get out fairly quickly and get on to the hotel.

A three block walk from the convention center, we hopped on the Green Line train and headed to the Hampton Inn Downtown.  So close to the action, and so convenient.  The building used to be the home of the Chicago Motor Club.  It was built in 1928, and has recently been renovated and now my hotel for the weekend!

Most buildings in Chicago are quite historic, and the we had a room on the top floor, with amazingly tall ceilings.  It was very comfortable.  Luckily they were ready for us to check in even though we were several hours early.  Once we successfully check in, and changed clothes, it was out to explore Chicago, and grab some grub!  What food do you think of when you think of Chicago?  Deep Dish Pizza, right?  Well yeah!  We headed out for Gino’s East.  Never ate there last year, so it was the first stop!

Man, oh man!  They had the most amazing sauce I think I’ve ever had.  I filled up quite well I do have to say so.  With a fully carbed up system it was time to do some more walking.  Magnificent Mile is always fun, and we wrapped up the walking tour with a trip to Garrett’s Popcorn.  Certainly a Chicago institution, and always a highlight of my trips to Chi-town.  I think it was about 6pm when we headed back to the hotel for the night.  No, I wasn’t up late.  Marathon morning was a mere hours away, and I needed to get my feet up and rest.

If I am remembering correctly, I think I got up at 4:15am on Sunday.  Since I had fallen to sleep around 9pm the night before, I felt completely refreshed and ready for the marathon ahead.  I had been hydrating like fiend for days in anticipation of the warm temperatures that were predicted for race day.  I went down to the lobby, and stepped outside for a quick glimpse.  It was warm.  There’s always a breeze, if not full on wind in Chicago, so it felt pretty comfortable.  Tons warmer than last year, I knew I wouldn’t be cold heading to the starting line this time around.  With temperatures heading into the high 70’s though in the afternoon, I grabbed a Gatorade before heading out for the race.

A simple 10 minute walk had me nearing Jackson Ave., the site of my Corral C entrance.  I met a few friends for a photo op, and off we were into a sea of runners heading into Grant Park.  The process to get through security is a bit unnerving, as it is a bottleneck until you pass through the security check points, and on into the park.  I never felt like I needed to use the bathroom one last time until I had actually been standing in the Corral for about five minutes.  It then became quickly uncomfortable, and knew that at some point I would have to stop to relieve myself.

As race time neared there is all sorts of fanfare.  The announcer spoke, the National Anthem was sung, and before you knew it we were off.  Off and running one of the biggest races in the country.  The feeling really is quite electric.  My goals for the race were really kind of vague.  Chicago was my “gotta do it” race for the Fall season.  A race where I didn’t really have any concrete plans for finish time or pace, I really just wanted to really soak in the experience and enjoy the crowds.  Hence, the reason I painted my name on my shirt.  With 1.7 million spectators lining nearly every inch of the course, I think I heard my name chanted no less than a few hundred times.  It was amazing!

The race course in Chicago is really unique.  You get to see everything!  North, South, East, West.

Yes, this is an old map I found online, but it’s the same course we ran.  I felt good the first few miles, and thought I would be happy finishing under my time from 2014, but I knew as the day heated up, it would probably be tough to better my time this year.  I really didn’t care.  I opted to set a goal early on in the race to beat 3:50:00.  I knew the type of pace I needed to run, and I would stick with it.  The trip though downtown is amazing, the miles ticked by.  Lincoln Park came into view, and the trip north.  I felt good, but I was already warming up.  My pace felt slow for the beginning of a marathon, and I knew I just had to keep even, but have fun.

The sights, the sounds, the smells of each neighborhood is such an amazing experience.  Unique and special.  It really was amazing how quickly the first half of the race had come and gone.  I felt good.  My legs were good, and after I finally found a portolet, I knew I could just run.  As the temperatures rose, so did my sweating,  Everyone was sweating.  I knew I had to make full use of the aid stations so that I didn’t put myself in harms way.  I DID NOT want any legs cramps.  Not in Chicago!  Not this race.  My last marathon in July had been filled with miles and miles of debilitating cramps, and I was not going to let this happen to my Chicago Marathon.  Taking aid every two miles I know cost me some time, but it had to be done.  I think every time I passed a medical station there were folks being attended to.  I was too warm for a marathon, and I had to take this into consideration.

I love the hell out of this race though!  The crowds were amazing.  Certainly a highlight for me.  I trodded along, slow at times, but enjoying myself.  I would make it to the finish!  This, I had to keep repeating to myself, once I hit mile 20.  I felt the WALL this time.  It was the heat.  Normally I can push thought a race without much of a thought about hitting the wall, but this one did me in.  It was a huge mental and physical struggle that final 10k.  I just kept saying one mile at a time.  One mile at a time.  Eventually you’ll get there.  My focus was now to keep going to beat that 3 hour 50 minute mark.  It really kept me going. I would never give up, but my body kept telling me to walk.  I wouldn’t do it!  I would not walk.  I was rewarded for my efforts when I made the final turn and saw the cheering fans in the stands.  I had done it.  Two Chicago’s in a row.

My finish time?  3:49:38.  About eight minutes slower this year, but I didn’t care.  I grabbed that medal, and wore it proudly the rest of the weekend!  I earned that medal!  I earned that finish time.  My splits?  Yeah, completely affected by the day warming up as I ran.

10k – 49:15

Half – 1:47:07

30k – 2:36:26

Aside from a faster miles 3-6 than my first 3 miles, my pace slowly but surely rose as the race wore on.  It happens.  I was just too warm, and wanted more than anything to play it safe, and get to the finish in one piece.  I did it!  I love Chicago!  You MUST run Chicago if you haven’t.  At least once.  Hell, I love the city and the race so much I’ll probably (definitely) enter the lottery again next year.  🙂

Here are a few pictures from the rest of the day, and next before I flew home.  Another epic visit to Chicago!

My shirt and medal photo!

Lucky # 21- Chicago Marathon 2015

Drinking a cup of coffee on my porch on a crisp and cool morning here in North Carolina, every thought in my head revolves around Chicago.

As I listen to the birds, thoughts are swirling in my head about what to pack.  At long, long last, after seven days straight at work, I am finally on mini vacation!  I ran my last taper run last night, and my body feels good.  Today is all about the preparation.  Laundry to do, packing must be done.  I think I am actually going to run in my race shirt from last years Chicago Marathon.  Why not?  I usually don’t repeat races, so it would be a great chance to get some use out of it.

Our plane takes off tomorrow morning bright and early so today is all about tying off lose ends, packing and relaxing my feet.  Two days without running will get me to the starting line feeling fresh and motivated.  I haven’t decided if I will head straight to the expo once our plane lands or if I head there later in the day.  Starting in Corral C, I can’t wait to pick up my bib!  The Chicago Marathon Health and Fitness Expo is truly an amazing experience.  If you ever need to get motivated to run 26.2 miles, visit this expo!

Since I ran Chicago last year, many of the “first time running a race” logistical nerves aren’t with me this time around.  I now know the city, know where I’m going and know how to navigate where I need to be and when.  It will be much more calm this time.  It’s probably why I haven’t even started packing yet.  This marathon gig, this destination race gig is so much more comfortable now.

I never quite know at the beginning of each year, how my race schedule will develop.  Of course I have certain races already paid for and a good rough sketch of the year ahead, but how those races pan out always depends on health and injury, work schedule, travel budget, etc..  Then you have to factor in races where just to get in you have to enter a lottery.  You can never plan too far in advance if you’re even considering an event on your calendar that requires a lottery to get in.  I was lucky enough to make it into Chicago again (two years in a row), and I never even started second guessing myself on if I should run it again.  Once I knew I made it into the race, I signed up for the race.

The Chicago Marathon on Sunday, will be my 21st marathon!  Lucky 21!  I can barely contain my excitement!

I have been so blessed all throughout this marathon running journey I’ve been on.  I do feel very lucky to even have made it to my 21st marathon.  It’s only fitting I get to call this Chicago Marathon my 21st.  Back in Myrtle Beach 2012, as I toed the line for my first marathon, a thought of ever reaching twenty more marathons never even crossed my mind.  I am so fortunate that my, now 45 year old, body has withstood the test of marathon running to this degree.  It’s time for the dealer to shuffle the deck, and deal me my Blackjack in Chicago!

Oh, Chicago

12 days from today I will be running my second Chicago Marathon.  I can’t believe that the time has flown by so quickly since finding out I got in through the lottery two years in a row.  I had to jump at the chance to run it again.  It was such a blast last year, going back was a no brainer.

I remember the race so well, even now almost a year later.  The sights, the sounds, the crowds and support!  The route, ever changing from neighborhood to neighborhood, welcoming me as I ran through it.  There was so much to see and enjoy during this race that my running almost felt effortless.  The race day weather last year was perfect, and before I knew it, all 26.2 miles were behind me in 3 hours and 41 minutes.

Would I like to better my time from last year?  Sure!  Do I think I will this time around?  Probably not.  Why?  I just have this feeling that this time around that I will be taking in the scenery and crowd support even more than last year, and just won’t be as focused on my finish time.  We’ll see.  My best marathon this year has been a 3:46, so beating my time at last years Chicago Marathon would give me my best marathon in 2015 by a good bit.

Chicago, the city, made a huge impression on me last year.  Walking all over the city, eating the food, people watching, shopping, all great experiences.  It was a new place for me a year ago.  This time around I have some knowledge.  I already know some places I want to return to, and I’ve done some studying up on new places I want to visit.  My Official Participant Guide came in the mail yesterday, so it is all very real all over again.

At this moment, in 12 days I will be finished with the race.  Basking in the glory of my 21st marathon finish.  Two weeks from now I will be back home, and working on being completely focused on 22, the anew York City Marathon, which is 33 days from today.  Wow, what an exciting five weeks ahead.

What about you?  Will I see you in Chicago or New York this Fall?  Traveling to any races?  What’s on your calendar?

A Roller Coaster Week of Running

I have had so many ups and downs during this training cycle that I sometimes feel that this roller coaster isn’t going to stop any time soon.  Heat, humidity, rain, sore feet, new running shoes and even lack of desire have really hampered my training for the last month.  I have one thing on my side though as I head into Fall racing season.  Experience.

If I was a newbie runner right now, I would be really worried about what lies ahead over the next two months out there on the race course.  Thankfully I have many races under my belt, and plenty of good and bad runs to glean information from.  I’ve had lulls before, times when I just didn’t enjoy the run.  Times when my pace was just sort of blah.  Times when one day is good, the next is really bad.  This bumpy ride has to end soon, and I know it will.  Experience tells me this.

This past training week I did manage to get in a 10k training run in between the rain, work schedule and heat.  In addition to that run, which wasn’t terrible, I managed several other shorter runs.  I don’t feel completely ready for my Half Marathon this Sunday, but I know it will come together.

My 17 year old son and I will be heading to Charlotte this weekend to enjoy some time together.  I brief trip away to enjoy some roller coasters in the park, and a race.  My first race this Fall season, I am pacing the 1:50:00 finish group at this Sundays Run & Ride Half Marathon at Carowinds.  Will I be ready?  Of course I will!  I’ve received all of the pre race emails, and info on packet pick up.  I’ve gotten the low down on when and where us pacers will meet up prior to the race.  All that’s really left are a few short pace runs before the weekend, and driving down there on Saturday morning.  My son has actually chosen to sleep in on Sunday morning and not run at all.  He will be missing out on a fun race, I’m sure, but looking back on my own childhood, I probably would have chosen to sleep in too when I was 17.

So, here’s to a very literal trip to roller coaster land this weekend.  I truly feel like my training has given me a very good start at being ready to ride some coasters this weekend.  It has been nearly two months since my last race, so I am ready to get back to it!  Feet don’t fail me now!  Chicago and New York are getting ever so close now and I want to have great marathons.  This weekend kicks off what I hope will be an amazing Fall 2015 race season.

My Fall 2015 Race Calendar

This Summer has been a mixed bag.  Some great runs, some not so great.  I guess that happens a lot in the summertime, at least it does for me.   I can never make any wild predictions on how my training runs will go, and it’s all based on the weather.  Hot and muggy, Steamy and boiling.  Sunny and humid.  They all sound equally tough, but typically make me stronger for the Fall race season.

I have six races planned between now and the end of 2015.  Two major races, both marathons.  Four, run for fun, pace for others Half Marathons.  This is how it will play out.

1st up…  9/13, and the Run & Ride Half Marathon at Carowinds Amusement Park.

This is a new pacing gig for me.  Pacing once again for Beast Pacing.  Target time of 1:50:00. My goal is to come to the finish within 45 seconds under my goal.  Just put a hotel room on hold last night, hoping to take my 17 year old son with me to ride some coasters after the race!

Next up, just six short days later on 9/19, is the Marine Corps Half Marathon.  This time I will be taking my 19 year old son with me, leaving bright and early on a Saturday morning for a 2+ hour car ride to the race location.  This race is run on the Marine Corps base Camp LeJeune.  It’s the first time I’ve had to provide my drivers license number, make and model, tag #, and insurance info for my car during registration.  They need all that info to expedite parking on base.  This should be a fun race, very military pride-filled, and inspiring.  Last year about 1,000 runners signed up, so it should be a good size field of runners.

Taper time!  After a few Halves in mid September, I will concentrate on my next race.  Chicago!  Running the Chicago Marathon for the second year in a row!  I couldn’t be more excited.  My only goals are to equal or better my time from last year, and enjoy the crowds!  This year I will be wearing my name on my shirt!

Six days after Chicago, I am pacing another Half Marathon.  This time closer to home.  I will be pacing the 1:55:00 Half at Greensboro.  Loved the tough course last year when I ran the marathon!  This time around only half the distance.

Ok, so I do have a few challenges this Fall.  The day after Greensboro, on hopefully not too tired legs, I am running a Half again.  This time in Durham.  The Bull City Race Fast.  No time goals other than to beat 1:55:00.  Should be a piece of cake.  And maybe a piece of cake after the race from one of the food trucks!  This is a great event that I had to skip last year because of running Chicago and Greensboro marathons six days apart.  I was actually signed up to run it last year, but just didn’t have the legs left to even attempt it.

All racing done now for the year?  Nope!  Insert another taper here.  The next two weeks after 10/19 will be total relaxation.  Letting my legs recover, and heal.  All for the epic event known as…..

Yes, I will cap off my 2015 racing year with an epic run through the five boroughs of New York City on November 1st.  This really is the race of the year for me.  This is the race that I have been fundraising for for months now.  It’s getting to be crunch time, and I still need help.  I really had hoped to have raised all of the $3,000 that I pledged to the James Blake Foundation before the end of the Summer.

As of today, I have raised over $1,600, but need for every one of my readers to dig deep into their pockets.  Will you please help my charity?  $10, $20, $50?  $100?  All monies go toward advancing cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City.  Surely someone you know has been either directly or indirectly impacted by cancer.  Let’s honor those that have lost the fight to this disease, and to help those that are currently battling cancer.  Please give today.

You can click on the following link that will take you directly to my fundraising page on Crowdrise where you can make your charitable contribution now.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

Thank you for you help, and I hope you have a fantastic Fall racing season.  I hope you have as much run running as I plan on having.

How I ran to Marathon #20

I got a very peaceful nine hours of sleep last night.  A much needed rest from the total chaos of work lately.  Today, I’m off.  So, besides just relaxing and trying to catch up with myself, and blog reading and writing, I will try to get out for a run today.  After all, I can’t forget that I have a pretty monumental marathon coming up in the not so distant future.

My last marathon, the New River Marathon, was over six weeks ago now.  Plenty of down time, plenty of recovery.  Time now to really get serious and focus on the next challenge.  Yep, marathon # 20 is just 32 days away!  Just typing that is just unbelievable to me.  Twenty marathons!  Back in 2010 when I first started cranking out two and three mile runs I never would have guessed that this day would arrive.  It’s a pretty amazing achievement.

I think that because this running adventure I’ve been on is about to hit another big milestone, I have really started lately reflecting back on marathons I’ve run up until now.  Each one has a story, and each one a medal of achievement.  A momento of accomplishment.  My race medals are loosely displayed on a book shelf in my bedroom.  Hung over books.  Dangling from shelves.  Wrapped around nic knacks.  Some days I don’t pay them much mind, but lately I have been looking at them more.  They tell quite a story of my journey.

I trained, I trained hard!  I hit the starting line in Myrtle Beach in February of 2012 with zeal!  Unknowing of where my running journey would take me.  I ran my heart out, completely unaware of what lie ahead.  It hurt, and I could barely walk back to the car, but with a 3:33:24 finish, I knew it wouldn’t be my last marathon.  What a sense of accomplishment.  I felt like I had achieved something very special.  Running that marathon changed me.  I felt like a Super Hero.  I knew about an hour later that Myrtle Beach would not be a one and done marathon for me.

My inexperience and lack of respect for the distance immediately took over.  A few days later I signed up for another marathon the following month,  I needed that high again.  Marathon #2 at Tobacco Road proved a big bust.  Thinking I was Ironman, I went out with the 3:30:00 pace group, and clipped away great with the pack until about mile 7.  Miles 8-26.2 I quickly learned to respect the marathon distance, as I cramped, and limped, and struggled to a 4:11:27 finish.  I learned a lot that day.  The most important thing I learned was that this journey for me was not going to be all about speed.  I needed more than that.  I needed to learn lessons.

Each marathon that has come and gone since then has been a learning experience.  Gaining knowledge about myself, and this sport I love.  I continue to love the marathon.  Each one is unique.  One of the things about running that has really come front and center during my journey is that I not only run with my feet, but with my eyes.  I need scenery.  Views.  I haven’t run Tobacco Road again because the course is monotonous and boring.  It’s a shame too, because it is a local race for me.

Once I figured out that speed wasn’t everything I still struggled over the next few races I ran.  Why?  Lack of experience.  Lack of knowledge on how my body responds to and the correct training I need.  It’s all a learning experience that just takes time.  My next marathon, the Outer Bank Marathon several months later was run with Plantar Fasciitis.  An epic fail.  A race I should not have even run.  That 4:13:58 finish still holds the record for my worst finish.  I learned lessons in the OBX though that I still hold on to today.  I listen to my body more now, I train smarter, I eat better, and proper hydration will make or break a race no matter how fast you run.

Marathons #4 and #5 were both finishes over 4 hours.  Asheville was all about the weather (8 degrees with windchill at the start) and Blue Ridge is considered the toughest road marathon in the United States.  Of my four hour plus marathon finishes the Blue Ridge Marathon was my biggest success.  A monumentally difficult course, I almost broke four hours, and ran a great, and smart race.  That 4:04:59 finish I consider one of my proudest accomplishments.

By this point, my marathon journey was a year and a half in the making, and that 4:04 in Virginia back in 2013 was my last 4 hour plus marathon.  Lessons learned, new skills and techniques put to use.  Live, run, and learn.  I ran my marathon PR later that year at the City of Oaks in 3:32:24, and followed that up with a 3:41:41 in Las Vegas two weeks later.  By the end of 2013 is when I truly felt like I had learned enough lessons to really consider myself a seasoned marathoner.

So many more races have come and gone since, and I still am enjoying every moment.  As I count down the days to my 20th marathon, I say thanks for my health.  I revel in the journey, as every mile has brought me to where I am today.  Marathon #20 will be run in Colorado on July 19th.  The Rockies Marathon will be a stepping stone for me.  It may get me to Boston.  It may not.  It will be a new adventure, and the perfect way to celebrate my journey.  A journey that will continue for another 20 marathons after that one, if I’m lucky.  With the Chicago and New York Marathons later this year, all I can say is that I am so lucky and proud to call myself a marathoner.

Garrett’s Popcorn & Deep Dish Desire & A Marathon

I had the most amazing time last October in Chicago.  It was my first ever trip there, and I enjoyed every moment.  Walking around the city, taking in the sights, the Pier, Magnificent Mile, everything!

The food?  Oh yes!  The Donut Vault, Lou Malnati’s Pizza, Garrett’s.  All highlights for the foodie in me.  The reason for my trip last year was the marathon, and what an amazing race it was!  I enjoyed every moment of it, from beginning to end.  I remember thinking at the time that I would go back to Chicago to run that race every chance I had.

Well, I made it through the lottery again this year.  I found out last week.  As of right now, I still haven’t confirmed my registration.  The deadline for me to sign up is tomorrow.  Why have I delayed signing up?  I want to make sure I can afford the trip again.  I am dying to just go to the website right now and complete my registration, but I must be sure.  I’ll be shopping around for flights this morning, and making sure I can take the time off at work.  I will decide by tonight.

This decision should be a no-brainer, so why isn’t it?  One answer, MONEY!  I am being adult by taking my time thinking this through first.  Have you ever had a hard time trying to decide on a race?

The Chicago Marathon is calling me!  Chicago is awaiting my return… And I want to go back!