Walk with Him Wednesdays

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Marathons 3 and 4

Raccoon Mountain

I love this race! Its fun, laid way back, and, has great aid stations. Since I was running the full and not the half, I really took my time on the first go around. I love how personalized this race is, as well. I found my sign this year.  I sent David back for it, since I found it at the half way point.  This years course deviated a bit, confusing a lot of runners. I got turned around my self, but only lost about 5 minutes.  Someone was blasting up on the mountain that weekend.  Oh well, kept things interesting.  I knew at the half way point I was going to run about a 7 hour time.  I was/am completely okay with this!  Around mile 21, I looked up coming off trail, and SPLAT! Fell, twisted my ankle...ugh! I was coming off trail, so road for a few miles.  My ankle really hurt, walked a bit, tried running, was going to be slow, but not terrible.  Back on the trail for a couple miles was really painful. At mile 23ish, I made the right turn, to go up "the last darn hill".  Another runner insisted I was going the wrong way, she had called the director to ask directions.  So I turned around and ran with them until we got to a place we had just been.  Decided up that hill was probably the right direction after all.  We probably were supposed to get back on the trail at that last aid station, but my ankle would have protested. Up the hill, across the water, down the other side, and FINISHED!  Took 7:15:30, but hey, I sprained my ankle, and got turned around. It's all good!  I truly love the personalized hand made medals!



Andrew Jackson

Another new race and town for me.  The day started cold, yay....but, quickly got really warm....not yay!  This is another 2-looper.  Three in a row, now.  This is a really small race, marathon wise, anyway. Only 54 runners, and one couple stopped at the half way mark.  Jackson, TN is a really cute small-ish town.  We through a college and hospital district, really pretty area.  I met up with the girl who had paced Rocket City in 2017, and helped me to a 32 minute PR.  She was coming off injury as well, so we stayed together from around mile 6.  I had no real time goal. I just wanted to finish without messing up my ankle any further.  This race's aid stations were lacking in my opinion. The people were absolutely fabulous, but no GU, not much fruit.  Pickle juice always a help, but I do get tired of that. All in all, a fun race, because of the people, and especially Dianne.  The medal is cool, what looks like mountains is actually Andrew Jackson's face sideways.

Next up, Flying Pig in Cincinnati.  Have been told this is an amazing race.  I have my GU, just in case. 


Run far, Run free, Run because you can!

~Melissa