Marathon #8

Beaver Chase Urban Trail Marathon

Indianapolis, IN

Okay, so I chose northern races for June and July.  Not so much for August.  Yes, Indy is north of Bama, but definitely not any cooler.  This race was billed as a trail race inside city limits. Trails equal coolness of shade, right?...nope.  This course is a cross country course. Which I learned means lots of running on grassy areas.  Not my favorite surface to run on.  There was also a great deal of open area, without the shade I looked forward to.  This is loop race, 4 loops for the marathon distance. Now, I have done looped races before, no big deal.  This course KICKED MY BUTT! In the first loop, no less!  I did like the first couple of miles, after getting of the grass and into the trail portion.  That part was awesome! Nice soft trail, shaded, views of the river...really, really nice!  But, then you go back out onto the grass and stay there for the next four miles.  On my last loop, and I was the last runner, I asked my favorite person if he would do the last 5 miles with me. I was going to walk it, and he walks faster than I do. I figured he could help me stay on pace to finish under cut off time.  He did, and I did.  I probably won't do this one again, but they put on other races that look like fun.

Marathon #7

Jack and Jill's Downhill Marathon

Hyak to North Bend, WA

Northern Washington in July is wonderful!  I am not a fan of big cities, so Seattle was a bit intimidating.  Thankfully, we stayed outside in Issaquah.  This race was different for me.  I wore my trail shoes as it was a former train route.  Trails I've done, but all downhill was new.  The course was mostly gravel and dirt and not completely downhill. The hills were not terrible. I hurt differently and longer from this race. I am usually okay the day after a race, but the stiffness lingered a few extra days.  The race starts in the mountains near Snoqualmie Pass, about 30 miles outside Seattle.  The temperature was in the 40s at race start, perfect!  A mile in, is the above tunnel.  It is 2.5 miles long. I got really warm in the tunnel, as there was no wind.  Once I left the tunnel the wind was back and stayed for rest of race, very refreshing!  We ran 95% in the mountains and the last bit was in North Bend, mostly in a park.  I would do this one again, just because of the mountains and temps.  One thing I noticed though, Washington's pine trees do not have a strong scent, I missed that. Back to Alabama where pine trees smell amazing!

Marathon #6 and mini vacation

Whitefish Point Marathon

Paradise, MI

While choosing marathons for this adventure, I first tried to stay fairly close to home. Then I ran a half last September, the heat and humidity nearly did me in. Decided then I needed to find cooler places to run in the summer.  Where is colder than Michigan?!?! I chose this one as it is the furthest north I could find.  The race is and out and back, from Paradise to Whitefish Point Lighthouse.  The race itself was kinda boring.  The mosquitoes were huge and plentiful.  Thankfully, I had been warned. I ran this one with a lady from Michigan who was running her first marathon.  I enjoyed her company.  Race medal is a rock from the shores of lake Superior.  Aiden gave me a bigger rock from same shore, with a personal message, I liked it better.

The mini vacation part was way more fun!  We got Aiden into four of the five great lakes, searched for Petoskey Stones in Petoskey, climbed the dunes at Sleeping Bear, and went through Hell (MI) to get to Paradise.  We also biked around Mackinac Island.  I would love to go back and just hang out...with loads of mosquito spray, of course.

Marathon #5 and Looking for Motovation

The Flying Pig

This marathon is now my favorite race! So much fun! From flames at the start, winged pigs along the course, games to play, and the amazing medal at the finish.  This was my first race as an official "Marathon Maniac".  I didn't realize the high expectations that come with that shirt, as I haven't run hundreds of marathons.  Thousands of people run this race. The city is completely involved.  I was never alone, as is the case in most races.  The flaming start was really cool. We started in Ohio, ran across river into Kentucky, and back after a few miles.  Along 7th avenue there was a pig....,with wings!!!! Of course, I petted him!  The volunteers made this race so much fun.  Lots of chocolate, candy and sweets.  When the we split from the half marathoners, there were mimosas waiting. How fun. If I had stopped at every beer table, I would've been drunk by the end.  I waited until mile 25.  There were aid stations with candy, gatorade, water, sunscreen, and cold wet towels. By far my favorite was around mile 18...BACON!  It doesn't get any better than bacon! Temperatures were perfect. Course was amazing. I will definitely do this one again!

As far as motivation, I am burned out, mentally, not physically. Not sure what I need to do. I am hoping going over the last few marathons will inspire me to get back out there. I have 3 left as of this month.

Keeping it real,
~Melissa