Super Marathon–Snoqualmie Pass, WA

Posted on July 18, 2019 by tootallfritz

The Super Marathon in Snoqualmie Pass, Washington was the marathon we picked to follow up Mt Hood. The race date was June 30, 2019. Small race that is part of the Cascade Super Series in the Cascade Mountains. Race day packet pick up. Easy parking at the start line. Point to point downhill marathon that passes thru the famed Snoqualmie Tunnel. Julie, Me & Judy at the start. LOVE these ladies!!!

Another downhill, marathon? Yes. This was the closest event we could find in proximity to the Revel Mt Hood race. We try to get a good bang for our buck when we have to fly, or travel further away from the Midwest. We were SUPER sore for the Mt Hood marathon, which had an elevation drop of 5600-5800 feet, depending on who you ask. But this event only had a net drop of 1500 feet. Very gradual and to be honest, it didn’t feel like a downhill race. At least not, like Mt Hood.

Race started at the Hyak trailhead at Iron Horse State Park. Majority of the race is on the Iron Horse Trail, finishing on the John Wayne Trail at the Cedar Falls Trailhead of the Cascades State Park.

The first 5 miles were flat, an out and back past Keechelus Lake. Breathtaking views.

The course was on a packed gravel trail. Not super rough, but big enough rocks that I would have preferred trail shoes instead of road shoes. My feet are wimpy!

Very low key race but plenty of support and there was never a question as to direction on course. Aid stations every 1.5 to 2 miles. Potties, gels, water, Gatorade & other items.

At mile 5.2 we entered the famed Snoqualmie Tunnel. Volunteers gave us little flashlights to navigate the darkness. This is a 2.4 mile tunnel. Very dark. See the progression of our run thru the tunnel as the “light at the end of the tunnel” gets bigger & bigger until we were out.

I loved running thru the tunnel but we were careful to take it slow since it was dark. There were also some wet areas and the surface was uneven. Lower air temp in the tunnel too, so it was a nice cool section for running.

Speaking of taking things slow. The entire race was slow for us. We were seriously damaged from the run down Mt Hood the previous day. We aren’t new to endurance events. Or even to doubles. We have done several double marathons where we run 2 marathons in 2 days. Judy has even done 3 in 3 days. And Julie & I have each done 2 Ironman triathlons (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run). But nothing has ever put the hurt on us like Mt Hood. Normally, on Day 2 of a double, we are tight and slightly stiff but not really sore. We start running like stiff, little old ladies, but in 4-5 miles we are loose and things go back to normal. Its not uncommon for us to run faster on Day 2 because we know we don’t have to save anything for another race. This was not the case for the Super Marathon. We were sore the entire day. In fact, it hurt to run. Not like we were injured but rather our quads and calves were so tight and inflamed from Mt Hood, that it hurt to run. I couldn’t even take full strides because my full body weight on a foot strike activated my quad muscles and caused piercing pain. So we did A LOT of walking. And I mean a lot. It didn’t hurt to walk. So well, we walked. And took pictures. Enjoy. Smile

Nice groomed trails. Lots of shady areas.

Great views of the Cascade Mountains.

Lots of bridges & I really love bridges!

Waterfalls.

Beautiful Flowers.

Rock faces along the trail where people were climbing.

Overall, I really loved this race. I loved running the trails and there was plenty to see. I never noticed that it was a net downhill but my quads were so damaged before I started that it may have been more perceptible to those where were fresh.

This is a very similar course to both the Jack n Jill Marathon and the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon. The Snoqualmie Tunnel being the main attraction for each. And the gentle downhill descent which is good for those looking for a PR or BQ. I personally am not super coordinated, so I’m happy I was able to leisurely run thru the tunnel verses trying to stay on pace to achieve a certain finish time. And I will note (again) that I would prefer trail shoes verses road shoes for this event.

Great event. Great swag (not pictured: water bottle & race bag).

And the BEST part of the race was the famous grilled cheese at the end. No, it wasn’t quite as large as the promo photo. But there was plenty and it was super tasty.

I really loved this race. I’d definitely go back, if it were a bit closer. Washington was state #32 and marathon #55. Making progress! Next up the RAIN Ride from Terre Haute to Richmond, IN on July 20th. Then Ironman Arizona on November 24th.

** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Revel Mt Hood–A Downhill Marathon, Portland, OR

Posted on July 17, 2019 by tootallfritz

The Revel Race Series is known for scenic, downhill marathons. Last summer, we registered for Revel Mt Hood in Portland, OR which took place on June 29, 2019. We had hopes that just maybe, if we were healthy, we’d have a great race and possibly snag a PR or BQ. No need for suspense, that did not happen. I’m healthy for the most part. My concussion or “post concussion” symptoms are mostly gone from the bike crash last September. I can go long but not fast. I had some hip issues after IMTX in April that I’ve been working thru and I’m carrying an extra 10#s. Not complaining, but weight does make a difference when you are trying to run fast.

We flew into Portland, OR. Packet pickup was at the Oregon Convention Center. Small expo. Easy in and out. A few photos at the expo with Julie & Judy below.

Logistics for this race are definitely more challenging than most. It’s a point to point race with the marathon starting at the top of Mt Hood at the Timberline Ski Resort and running down the mountain to the Rainbow Trout Farm. There is a shuttle directly from one of the host hotels to the start for an additional fee; however, most participants drive out to Sandy and take the free shuttle to the start area. Insider tip: there are hotels in the Sandy area. If you have a car and want to cut your travel time on race day, stay in Sandy!! The area where the host hotel is located isn’t great anyhow and you won’t be missing anything.

Race starts in waves based on pace. And the buses to the start also leave in waves. Be prepared, the temperature drops as you go up the mountain. Have some throw away clothes or extra stuff to wear prerace. It was in the low 30s when we got to Timberline.

The descent begins as soon as you get off the bus. And the views at the top are breathtaking.

I didn’t see a sign for the percent grade for the first 5 miles. However, I can say that it was a lot. And we were all moving pretty quick. And it was fun! I did feel the descent pulling me down, I was just hoping that it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. Revel offers free photos of the runners, which is nice. I usually don’t buy pictures of myself running …. cuz they just aren’t cute! Smile But this is one of the free photos.

Initial road down from Timberline was closed to thru traffic, which was nice. Aid stations were set up every couple miles. Potties, water, Gatorade, first aid, Deep Blue rub, food & gels.

Second 5 miles were at a 6% grade. The views were hidden behind big pines, the race course joined roads with vehicular traffic, and it was starting to get hard. I’d say miles 1-4 were fun. Miles 4-8, I noticed things were starting to tighten up. And by mile 10, I was slowing down and it was actually starting to hurt.

The sun came out. It was warming up as we were heading down, down, down.

After mile 15, it started to flatten out, and there we even some inclines in the distance. By this point, all the people who could handle the terrain were long gone. My friends were long gone. I was run/walking but not alone. Lots of people also struggling. I tried to enjoy the scenery but really just wanted to be done. Lots of aches, pains & tightness by this point. I stopped several times and used the Deep Blue rub that was on course. I was so happy to see the 20 mile sign, but also in disbelief that it was “only” mile 20 and I still had another 6.2 miles!

As always, the finish line finally arrived. I was in the pain cave by then. The race organizers did a great job. As did the volunteers and support on course. Finish line festivities included a NormaTec Recovery Boot station. Donuts & Pizza. Local Beer. But ultimately, we were just ready to pack it up and head out. Since we flew to the Pacific Northwest to grab a new state in our journey to run a marathon in every state, well, you may have guessed it. We had to pack up and head to Washington to run a marathon the following day.

SWAG – Revel Race shirt (upcharge for long sleeve or tank top) & Goodr sunglasses. Marathon Maniac race shirt, luggage tab & extra medal for the Marathon Maniac & Half Fanatic Race Series.

Mt Hood was my 54th marathon; Oregon was my 31st state.

I’ve had some questions on tips on how to train for a downhill marathon. I wish I had some to give. This was the hardest marathon I’ve ever done. The hardest endurance event that I’ve ever done. The downhill pounding really requires a lot of strength, not only in your legs but also your core. The recovery has been long. I’m almost 3 weeks post race and my legs are still heavy. I’ve had 2 massages. Done a lot of cycling. And no running. My body is just not ready to run. I’ll try something short this week. Maybe. Not really sure how one could adequately prepare for a downhill run of this magnitude without living somewhere with ample elevation for training. If you figure it out, please let me know! At this point, we can say we tried a downhill marathon. It was hard. Harder than it should have been. And we probably won’t try anything this steep again. But only time will tell.

Heading to Washington State next! In an attempt to see something other than run courses, we did stop at Snoqualmie Falls in Snoqualmie, WA. Pictures of the falls below. Race report on day 2, the Super Marathon in Snoqualmie Pass, WA up next!

** Happy Running, All! ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Tobacco Road Marathon Race Review

Posted on April 27, 2018 by tootallfritz

Its been six weeks since the Tobacco Road Marathon but I still want to review the race for those who might be interested in putting this on their future calendar.

The Tobacco Road Marathon was on March 18, 2018 in Cary, NC. Close to Durham & Chapel Hill. The race venue is the Thomas Brooks Park & USA Baseball Fields. Race is traditionally held on a Sunday and requires travel to the area on Friday or Saturday to pick up race packets. Small expo at a local hotel. Easy & fast, in and out. A few vendors, like my favorite girl, Gypsy Runner.

If your traveling with the family, there isn’t a lot to do in this area (or maybe we just didn’t know where to look?). Beautiful area though. New neighborhoods. Nice homes. Cute boutique like shopping areas. Nice.

Race day started bright and early ~~like always~~. Getting to the race site required some planning. There was a local pick up area in Cary called NetApp, where people could park & get shuttled to/from the race site. There were a few onsite parking spots that required pre-purchased parking passes. Then there was runner drop off at the venue. Fortunately, my daughter now has her license. GASP! She was able to drop me off, then drive back to the hotel with her little brother, then return to pick me up. This race would have been challenging, logistics wise (as a mom with kids & no other adult to supervise), had she not been able to drive. I’ve taken them to a lot of races & I usually pick a hotel on the race course or close to the start/finish so they can sleep in at the hotel, then come to the race when they are ready. This race started at the park, then ran to the American Tobacco Trail, stayed on the American Tobacco Trail, then ran back to the park for the finish. You need access to a car to get to packet pick up and to/from the race. No shuttles for local hotels. No way to spectate without access to a car.

On to the race! The important part, right? Please note that the majority of these photos are courtesy of Amy at Gypsy Runner. I wanted to ring the PR bell, so knew I couldn’t waste time with photos. Thanks, Amy for always helping me out! I love seeing your smiling face at expos and out on the marathon courses!

We got to the race early. The race started at 7am but the parking areas shut down at a certain time. I think they wanted everyone in the parking area by 5:30 so that the shuttle buses could come/go without issue. It was cool. Probably upper 40s at the start and while we were waiting. I rarely take throw away clothes but did this time because I wasn’t planning to check a bag. The plan was to run the race, finds the kids, leave. We were headed to Disney World for Spring Break & this was just a pit stop for momma to grab another state!

The race started promptly at 7am. Start/Finish area was easy to find, just down from the row of port-o-potties. It was still dark when we started the race but the area was well lit around the bathrooms & the start/finish area. Photo courtesy of the Tobacco Road Marathon Facebook page:

We left Thomas Park with an incline to get out of the park and onto the road. Key to remember because that’s a downhill to the finish line! Couple other rolling hills in the 2.5 miles from the park to the American Tobacco Trail. Then the marathoners had 21 miles on the ATT. Very few turns. If you are ever afraid of getting lost, this is the type of race for you. There was never any question as to where to go or where to turn. It was very well ran, volunteers were great. All road crossings were patrolled.

The race was advertised as fast & flat. As a Midwest gal, I know flat. Any race that claims to be flat, will probably have more hills than I can get when I make an effort to FIND hills to run. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this race. I will say that it was pretty flat. There were a few rollers to/from the ATT. Once on the ATT (where we ran 21 of the 26.2 miles), it was pretty flat. This was an old rail trail. So the inclines/declines were not visible, you’d just feel it in your legs. On a slight decline, you could feel the load lighten and the pace got easier. On the incline, you couldn’t really “see” it but you could tell you were going up because it took more effort to hold the pace. But honestly, I heard some people complain post race about the elevation, Garmin showed 735 ft of gain, Strava showed 819 ft for the entire race. Small gains & losses over time.

The ATT was a mix of crushed limestone and asphalt. Mostly tree lined with giant pines which provided a break from the wind and the sun. Temps started in the upper 40s but climbed to the 60s while we ran. Humidity was low to non-existent. I don’t do well in heat & humidity so while I did notice that it was getting warmer toward the end, it didn’t effect my performance.

There were 9 aid stations on course, most of which we hit 2x since the trail was an out and back. All stations were well stocked with fluids, food items & there were port-o-potties!

On the ATT, we headed out to the north initially, then flipped between mile 8 & 9. Then headed back south, past our point of entry until another turn around between mile 18 & 19. As always, that last turn around always feels great. I also am a huge fan of out and backs, particularly when I know people running. Watching the other runners makes me happy. I like to encourage them, cheer for the fast people at the front & it distracts me from the task at hand.

Not a ton of spectators. Logistics put most spectators at a trail head that intersected with a road we were crossing. Some dogs. A few signs. But everyone was enthusiastic & encouraging.

I really liked this race. I picked it for a few reason. Fast, flattish, few turns, smaller number of runners & the fact that most of it was on a rail trail which would feel a lot like my old training runs. Some people run better on Saturday mornings with their friends than at big venues with long waits & a bazillion spectators. I’m probably more of the Saturday morning girl than the “wait & shiver for 2 hours before the major marathon” girl.

I knew I wanted to try to run faster since I’m not allowed many races this year. I’m in the midst of training for Ironman Lake Placid. When I run less races, I’m faster. No brainer there. And my back is feeling the best it has in several years. I’m not 100% but to be honest, this is probably as good as its going to get. Also, it was important to plan and execute a race strategy, just to know that I can do it. After Lake Placid, I’m going to take a break and then see if I can qualify for Boston. This race time was not anywhere what I need to run a BQ but it was all about planning & executing.

I did have a snafu leading up to the race (pulled something in my foot) so went with Plan B vs Plan A, in the name of being smart & facing down a lot more training for Lake Placid in the next few months. I started with the 4:10 pacers with the plan of running away from them before the finish. I figured I could easily gain a couple minutes and drop into a 4:08 before I hit the line, if I was smart. That’s really the hardest part, being smart. And patient. The first half of the race feels so easy, its hard not to just go with it and run faster. Well, take my advice, going faster than the plan is a good way to blow up. I used to run less races & try to go faster but I always blew up. I would go out too fast! Every time. That’s really how I started running more races. I decided that I worked too hard for ONE race, for it not to end in the result I wanted. I decided I could run A LOT of races and have a A LOT of fun, and really my times weren’t any slower than going out too fast & blowing up.

Anyhow, shout out to the 4:10 pacers. They did a great job. I even dropped back 2 different times to get something out of my FlipBelt. The one pacer checked on me both times & basically “yelled at me” to close the gap & regain contact. I will say that the added pressure that someone was waiting on me did help to make sure I didn’t fall off pace. They even told the runners to start floating away from them as we got close to the finish, that a pacers job was to finish alone, on time, with all their runners ahead of them. Smile I had already started moving ahead after we got off the ATT in the last 2.5 miles. That was the last thing I heard them say as I was pulling away. And I was able to ring the PR Bell at the finish! 4:08:09 was my chip time. Good day!

Overall a great race. There were 1088 full marathoners that started the day, 884 finishers. The half started 2277 runners & 2202 finished. Great race, if you are looking for a fast run. Since most of the race is on the trail, the camber of the road is not as much of an issue as in other races. Not too crowded. Just enough aid & support. Low entry fee! Definitely a good one.

This was my 27th state, 49th marathon. My 50th marathon will be at the end of Ironman Lake Placid. Now that’s going to hurt. LOL!

** Hope you are all healthy & running happy ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Wildwood Trail Marathon Race Review– Wildwood MO

Posted on December 6, 2017 by tootallfritz

I ran the Wildwood Trail Marathon in Wildwood MO on Sunday. It was my 47th marathon (or longer). I’m a runner who loves to run. I love the trails and the serenity. However, I’m not a real trail runner. Let’s not squabble over the fact that “if I run trails, then I’m a trail runner”. You know what I mean. I’m a road runner. I enjoy the road under my feet. A solid surface that does not move. One where I probably won’t trip over something that I can’t see because its covered by a forest of leaves. One where sharp rocks don’t jut out at every step. One where if I fall, I won’t stress about sliding down the bluff in the process. Road runner. Yep, that’s me.

Now that is has been clarified that I’m a road runner, my report follows.

The Wildwood Trail marathon is self described as scenic & fast. Good for road and trail runners, experienced and beginners alike. I’ve ran a lot of road races, plus my fair share of trail races. So I feel well versed and able to give a realistic point of view. Scenic, yes, in spots. It’s a beautiful run thru the woods. This race, unlike others I have ran, consisted of a lot of rock based trails. Most trail runs are on dirt trails. Wildwood has a lot of rock. Not to make this too simple but the bluffs are made of rock. The dirt wears away & only rock is left in spots. Second pic below shows it well. That looks like a well worn dirt trail, right? No. Its solid rock. Somewhat smooth surface in some spots. Jagged rocks sticking out in other spots. Pics below are from the Bluff View Trail.

The race started at a school, right off the Hamilton-Carr paved trail. Then we hit a crushed stone & dirt type trail called the Al Foster Memorial Trail. This lead us to the first detour, the Bluff View Trail which was about 2 miles into the race. That’s where things started to get interesting. The trail (seen above) was 2.5 miles of single track, some slanted to one side or the other, winding up the Bluff for an awesome lookout. The Bluff View Trail provided some of the most scenic views of the day to the Crescent Valley below.

After climbing the Bluff Trail, we made a small loop & returned the same way we went up. I must say that after staring at the course map for days, I really didn’t understand it. But thankfully, the race was marked very well and there was never a question as to where we were headed. Course map below. One note, it would have been super helpful if the course map had mile markers. For those of us unfamiliar with the area, we never really knew where we were at any given moment. I had the map in my head but as you are climbing, climbing, climbing and maneuvering the switchbacks, everything is very focused. It would have been great to know that I just had to manage the climb/terrain until mile x, then I would get some relief.

December can be tricky but we had a beautiful day with the sun shining on us. Made me happy.

Dry trails. Leaves cushioning the rock. And a few breathtaking views. After the Bluff Trail, we hit the Rock Hollow Trail with the infamous Zombie Heights. This was by far the toughest section (on the map it’s the tall section of zig zags, middle of the map) and I was zombie like, just watching the ground and trying to navigate the terrain. Rock, switchbacks, lots of technical sections, all on a single track of rock and/or dirt. We spent a lot of time hiking in this section for safety reasons. My legs felt good but I can only go as fast as I feel safe. I’m not a super coordinated person. I’m not exactly clumsy but I do try to be careful. So we saw a lot of 20 minute miles in this section. Took forever to get thru it. This was approximately mile 6 through 14. Pics below of this section show the varied terrain.

After Rock Hollow and Zombie Heights, we had a nice flat section back on the Al Foster Memorial Trail heading to Sherman Beach. Easy terrain. Well packed. Fast section.

Sherman Beach was a hot spot. By the time we got there, a lot were already headed back to the finish. Lucky them. But this was an important area. First, the only port-o-potty on course was here. It was also the 3rd & 4th aid station. And this is where the cut-off happened. Once passing thru the Sherman Beach aid station (mile 15.5ish), there was a 7.5 mile loop. We had to be back to that aid station by 2:30pm or we wouldn’t be allowed to finish. Technically we had plenty of time. But if we ran into a section of 20 min miles, then the cutoff was in jeopardy. I must say this is the first time I ever really thought about a cutoff (in any race) and it was stressful!

Leaving Sherman Beach we had a short section of flat, well groomed trails. Then we hit the tunnels. Concrete, manmade tunnels. I had to bend over and walk thru them, they were short in height and long in length. A volunteer on a bike told us that he would see us in 2 miles, once we hit the tunnels. Must say this might have been the longest 2 miles of my life. The tunnels lead to the Cedar Bluff Trail. Obviously a short 2 mile jaunt. Not as technical as the Zombie Heights but we had to be on our toes. And we were apparently rushing because of the cutoff. Both my run partner & myself fell in this section. Hard. Blood & bruises the result.

Once we were back to the tunnels, things got much better. We hit a network of trails by the Meramec River. These trails consisted of dirt & sand. Well groomed. Lots of people riding bikes, walking dogs & hanging out.

And then eventually the Stinging Nettle trail which was a sand trail taking us back to the 4th aid station at Sherman Beach. Well AHEAD of the cutoff. Smile Tamyra below on the Stinging Nettle trail.

After Sherman Beach, there was an easy, flat run back to the finish on the Al Foster & Hamilton Carr trails. Photographer caught us in this section. Yep, I’m dirty. I fell down somewhere along Cedar Bluff.

This marathon was approximately 25.77 miles. If you are a 50 States Marathon Club runner who is trying to run all the states, don’t use this one for Missouri or you’ll be short & it won’t count. Trail runs are always questionable in distance since you go where the terrain takes you. Very normal.

So, was this race scenic & fast? Yes. Obviously scenic. But its also one of the faster trail marathons that I’ve ran thanks to several flat sections where you can run faster. Good for beginners & experienced runners alike? Maybe. The flat sections help a lot. But there was a lot of technical spots too. Anyone can do it. But they really have to be invested in it. So yes, good for anyone as long as they are committed & ready to go the distance no matter what the trails present.

Overall, great race. Great volunteers. Only 4 aid stations. Stocked with trail running basics: Coca Cola, Ginger Ale, peanut M&Ms, cookies, pretzels, oranges, pickles, electrolytes, Hammer gels. Water & Heed (a Hammer product). This was a cup free event so everyone needed a handheld, water bottles or collapsible cups to utilize the fluids on course.

Small event. I had read before race day that there were 209 entrants. Not exactly how the results panned out. I’m not sure if everyone was listed but they show 89 finishers. I was #81 (6 hrs 30 min). 3 DNFs. 8 DNS. Winning male: 2:52. Winning female: 3:44. So it was apparently a fast race for some. Smile Cutoff was 8 hours. Last finisher was 7 hrs 51 min.

SWAG: Beanie, Hammer gels, Hammer Endurolytes, sample pack of Biofreeze, finishers medal & FREE race photos.

That’s a wrap on this marathon! If your interested in trail running, I’ll link to some of my other trail runs below. The hardest I’ve done so far is the Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon in Duluth, MN. That race is the warm up for the Minnesota Voyageur 50 miler. God help those 50 milers. They are tougher than me! My second hardest trail marathon was the Dances with Dirt Devil’s Lake Trail Marathon in Baraboo, WI. Easiest trail run/ultra was the Lakefront 50K in Chicago. If you need a fast 50K time, go to Chicago. Race is on a paved path along Lake MI. Fun. Easy.

Trail Race Reviews (minus the 2014 Huff 50K, which apparently I didn’t write up?!?):

Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon (MN)
Dances with Dirt – Devils Lake Marathon (WI)
Bobcat Trail Marathon (OH)
Huff 50K (2016) (IN)
Huff 50K (2015)
Huff 50K (2013)
Lakefront 50K (IL) – Paved Multipurpose Trail

Next up the 2017 Huff 50K on 12/30. Then I rest.

Happy Running, all! ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon – 2017 Edition

Posted on November 9, 2017 by tootallfritz

This was my 4th time running the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. I ran the inaugural race in 2008, then also 2015, 2016, & 2017. This is somewhat counterproductive to my goal of running a marathon in every state; however, Indy provides a race that is worth repeating. Plus, Aby is at the age where she likes to run this race with her friends, after Cross Country season, so I go because it’s a huge affair between my friends & Aby’s. In my world running is about fun. I try not to have such a singular focus on a long term goal that I forget the core reason for my running. So I’ll probably run Indy at least one more time, next year. Aby is a senior next year and who knows where the world will take her after that. If she wants to go back to Indy, we’ll be there.

Expo was easy and fast, although crowded in the early evening. We were in and out pretty quickly. There were lines to verify the timing chips and lines to get pre-ordered race items, but otherwise pretty smooth. Lots of vendors. Everything looked busy but everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Outside the expo the city was bustling and Indy really shines at night. View from our hotel.

The race didn’t’ start until 8am on Saturday morning. This was sleeping in for me! The hotels surrounding the Capitol Building are within a 5 minute walk. We stayed inside until 7:30, then walked over to greet friends & get ready to run.

A few things about 2017 that were different from previous years. One, it was the last year of a 4 year medal series. The race sold medal holders to include the medals for all 4 years, then there was a special star that 4 year runners picked up at the finish. I was missing 2014, no star for me. But it was cool. And Indy has just announced that they will be starting a new 4 year series next year with a slightly different set-up. Here is a picture of the display for the 2014-2017 medals from the Indy Monumental Facebook page.

The second change for 2017 was the implementation of a corral system, in an attempt to ease congestion at the start. Start below. Photo courtesy of Gypsy Runner.

The start was congested. Not a lot of signage as to where the corrals started & stopped. I’m guessing the majority of runners had no idea which corral they were in when the race started. Some races stagger the start to ease congestion, allowing a slight pause of maybe a couple of minutes between corrals. This was a rolling start. No breaks between corrals. Gun went off, we all started moving. First mile was slow. First aid station turned into a total standstill.

The half marathon runners turned off around 7.25 miles. The majority of the runners do the half, which is common at most races. I actually like the first part with the half runners because it forces me to go slower than I might if the road were wide open. Smile But after they turn off, usually I start pushing the pace. Indy traditionally has great weather. This year was no different. It was in the upper 40s at the start, in the 50s with a breeze when we finished. No sun. Perfect conditions for a great race. Indy is usually one of my fastest races of the year, this year it was my fastest. It’s the weather and the flat course that helps me out each year. Makes it easy to keep coming back, right?

Lots of aid stations. Donuts, beer shots, pretzels, cliff gels, bananas, orange slices. Indy takes care of their runners. Course is flat with a few slight inclines. Lots of volunteers and police to help keep everyone on course. I do think they changed the course slightly this year. I don’t know that for a fact but there were a few times that I felt the course was different or we were running in a different direction than we had in years past.

Not a lot of pictures. I had been sick earlier in the week and wasn’t feeling awesome during the race. I was just following my friends, Julie M & Amy (Gypsy Runner) and just ran all the way to the finish with those lovely ladies. Yes, I let them pull me the majority of the race. Sometimes we feel good. Sometimes we don’t. Gotta roll with whatever the day brings. And it brought me a finish in 4:24 with 2 great friends by my side. #Thankful

That’s it for the 2017 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. SWAG below. Side panel of shirt in the last pic.

By the numbers. The race just seemed so much larger this year! Maybe because I wasn’t feeling great. Maybe because there were 3 of us running together. Maybe because the roads weren’t in great shape this year and I was floating around a lot. But here are the stats. In 2016 there were 4237 marathon finishers, 4679 this year. In 2016 there were 8154 half marathon finishers, 7972 this year. In 2016 there were 2762 5K runners, 2727 this year. So the only race that showed a significant increase in numbers was the marathon distance. But only 400 more runners. Not a huge increase. I think I just felt “off” and was more protective of my personal space this year. Smile Regardless, I love the race & I plan to run again in 2018.

2008 race report HERE. You’ll find more of an insight into the emotional aspect of my second marathon rather than a review of the race. Oldie but goodie.

2015 report HERE. 2016 report HERE.

This was my 46th lifetime marathon if you’re counting.

** Happy Running, All ** Amanda – TooTall Fritz

Atlantic City Marathon, Atlantic City, NJ

Posted on October 27, 2017 by tootallfritz

The Atlantic City Marathon in New Jersey was Day 2. The second marathon for our double marathon weekend. 2 Marathons. 2 Days. 2 States. Totally normal, right? Maybe not, but this was an easy double if you ever want to try one. We picked Atlantic City because it was a short 2 hour drive from Dover, DE where we ran the Monster Mash Marathon the day previous. The drive was so short that we even detoured thru Philadelphia to fulfill a childhood fantasy of running up the Art Museum steps like Rocky Balboa! Super exciting. Then hey, stopped over to see the Liberty Bell too!

Some people thought we were crazy for actually running up the steps. It was fun! There were only 72 steps and it probably loosened us up after running the Monster Mash Marathon! Good news, we weren’t the only crazy people, some even had the Rocky Theme song playing. Obviously, we weren’t too serious about this double. Its not our first. We just go, run, have fun and keep things light. As for the steps, had to do it. Who knows if I’ll ever get that close to Philadelphia again. No regrets, right? I would have regretted not running up those steps!

On to Atlantic City. Packet pickup was at Ballys. We parked in the garage. Posted parking fee was $22; however, they reduced the fee for runners to $5. Thank you!! Small expo. Easy in and out once we figured out where to go inside the hotel/casino. Dinner in the hotel/casino. Checked into our hotel by 8pm. Tip: We stayed at the Sheraton by the Convention Center. It was about a 10 min walk to/from the race start/finish. No smoke. No gambling. No hoopla. Less $$.

Race started at 8am so we got to see the sun come up while we were waiting to start. It was steamy. Humid. Warm.

As we awaited the race start, it was different than most races I’ve ran. There was a start line and a gated corral. The pacers were inside the corral. Alone. We were all crowded outside the corral wondering what was going on and when they would open the gates. They opened the gates right at 8am. It was a mad rush for some to get in where they wanted to be, others were climbing over the fence. Most just lined up as they entered the corral. Somewhat chaotic. Not an issue for us since we were planning a leisurely race but I certainly see that it could have been an issue for some. Eventually, we were all in and ready to run.

We started the race heading north on the Boardwalk for a short distance, then a quick left on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, then a quick left on Bachrach Boulevard. Mile one. Decent sized race. Some spectators. Decent Streets. Views of the water at every glance. First the Atlantic, then various bays & channels. So many that it was hard to keep up with which body of water we were crossing and/or passing at any given time. Foggy morning due to the heat and humidity but not so hot that we were miserable. Just warmer than most prefer. But it was beautiful.

Soon we entered a long tunnel. There were lights so it wasn’t dark. Runners were whooping and yelling to hear themselves in the tunnel. Kinda cool. Thru some neighborhoods, up a couple highway ramps, then back to the Boardwalk, this time heading south around mile 7.75, passing the strip of casinos.

Aid stations were spaced about every 1.5 miles. Lots of volunteers. Police. Bicycle escorts for the winners. Well marked course with plenty of course marshals enthusiastically directing runners.

We ran south on the Boardwalk til approximately mile 13, then turned off heading South for an out and back on Atlantic Avenue. Busier road on the inner side of the Casinos. Sloped because we were running on the side. Lots of shops and restaurants and beautiful homes. Took Atlantic Ave until it ended in Longport at the Great Egg Harbor. Awesome aid station in that area that had mini Swedish Fish. Yes!

What I can’t stress enough about this race are the water views. Even when we were running in neighborhoods down seemingly normal streets. If you look to either side at a cross street, you’ll see water. I enjoyed it. Not beach front running per say but the area is surrounded by water. Atlantic Ocean to the left in the pic below.

Beautiful homes, buildings, churches.

Thru the streets and neighborhoods until mile 23 when we hit the Northbound Boardwalk to finish the race. Start and finish were both in front of Ballys. By the end, I didn’t love running on the Boardwalk. Softer surface, yes. But the lines of the various boards made my dizzy. I tend to put my head down and “just run” when I’ve had enough. And yes, I was ready to be done by mile 22 and in the head down mode. Once I hit the Boardwalk, too many lines. Too much motion. Too much heat. And I was “almost” tired. We had more traffic on the Boardwalk to dodge since more people were out and about. I was happy to finally see the finish!

Great after party. I saw lots of beer flowing if you like a beer post race. There was a band. Gender specific, long sleeve tech shirt! My favorite!! Great medal.

Good race. More runners thank the day previous but still small. 832 half marathon finishers. 609 marathon finishers. Flat other than a few bridges. Good double with Monster Mash because both were flat and not to physically taxing, other than the mileage. Bling from both days is below.

Next Up, Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on November 4th. My 4th appearance at this event. Its definitely one of my favorites. Crossing my fingers for cool, crisp weather and a fast race!

** Happy Running, All ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Monster Mash Marathon – Dover, DE

Posted on October 26, 2017 by tootallfritz

I’ve been recovering this week after coming off a big weekend. 2 marathons. 2 states. 2 days. Plus maybe a side trip thru Philly to run up the steps of the Art Museum and relive the glory days of Rocky Balboa. Maybe. Just maybe. Smile Anyhow, back to the marathons! First up, the Monster Mash Marathon in Dover, Delaware. Start and finish is at the Dover International Speedway way. If you are a NASCAR fan, then no other explanation is needed. If not, this monster seems to be track mascot.

I used to be a bit of a NASCAR fan but that ended with the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Therefore, I didn’t know about the monster, or that it was the mascot. I didn’t know that this was a short track. 1 mile. Shorter than a lot of NASCAR tracks on the circuit. I sign up to run races based upon what fits my schedule. As a result, not a lot of research goes into each race. That’s part of the fun for me, the surprise of a new race, new course, new town, new state. Fun!

We arrived at the track on Friday evening to grab our packets. Packet pick up was fast & easy. Free parking. Less than a 100m walk to the tent. Halloween Candy scattered throughout the tent for snacking. We were in and out in less than 10 minutes & that’s with Julie talking to a lady about her doodle puppy. Julie loves her doodles!

Our hotel was a couple miles away. Comfort Inn Suites. Awesome beds that were so comfy! Then back to the track for race day on Saturday morning. Unlike big marathons, you can arrive within 30 minutes of the start for this race. You can pick up your packet race morning, if you like. And you can use the indoor bathrooms at the track before you hit the start line on the race track by pit row.

I liked that the start was on the race track. Kinda cool. Very sloped though. I definitely don’t envy the NASCAR drivers who have to get up to such high speeds on this steep and short track!

One lap around the track = 1 mile & we were off to tour Dover and the surrounding areas. My favorite part of the course came early as we passed thru the Government buildings around Legislative Avenue, mile 3.5 to 4.5.

Aid stations were very frequent, especially in the first half of the course. Hammer gels were offered. Water. Gatorade. I’ve never seen as many gel stations on course than at this race. Very impressive.

We ran a lot of country roads. But they either let us run the entire road, or had cones separating us from vehicular traffic. We had plenty of room and cars were not too much of an issue. We did have one motorcyclist yell at us to get over but for the most part there was very little traffic and everyone seemed to be in good spirits throughout the race. Course wasn’t super exciting. But it was flat. Well marked. Volunteers and aid stations were plentiful. If you were in need of a bathroom, those were harder to find but probably spaced every 5ish miles or so.

Overall a good race. I was pretty excited about it coming in as I had heard positive things. However, I wasn’t feeling great at this race, so my experience was not amazing. No fault of the organizers. Loved the race shirt & the medal! Plus they gave us a buff and magnet. Nice theme. Some people dressed up for the holiday. Overall, small race so not a lot of people. 177 marathon finishers. 237 half marathon finishers. If you need spectator support and big crowds, this isn’t the race for you. If you just want to run without a lot of hassle, then you’ll love this one.

State #26 – Delaware – DONE

Next up, the Atlantic City Marathon race review!

** Happy Running** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Rock N Roll Chicago – 2017 Edition

Posted on July 28, 2017 by tootallfritz

The Rock N Roll Chicago 1/2 marathon is one that I keep returning to, year after year. Not because timing is great for me (its my momma’s birthday weekend EVERY year). But because my friends & family love this race. Since I moved away from the Chicago area, this is a great excuse to come back & reconnect with some people I rarely get to see, plus Aby loves this race. Its always been my MO to go where my friends go. Racing with friends is always more fun!! And for anyone under 30, MO is “method of operation”. Apparently that’s not a common acronym at this point in time. I was just informed the other day that Aby has NO idea what that means (and I use it pretty frequently). Smile

Aby, Nicki & I hit the expo on Saturday at McCormick Place. Always plenty of parking at McCormick. Easy in and out. We even received discounted parking this year which was a bonus!! Plenty of vendors. A couple photo ops.

Having to go downtown for the expo is a perfect excuse to enjoy the city by walking around, having a late lunch & Aby usually insists on ice cream. Ghirardelli’s anyone?

Race day starts bright and early to try beat the summer heat & humidity of the Midwest. We got downtown around 5:15a for a 6:30a race start. Temps were probably in the 70s and not nearly as hot & humid as normal. Thank goodness!

And we are ready to ROCK! Nicki for the 10K. Aby for her 3rd half marathon & as for me, well, I was just there to have fun. I’ve probably done 30 some half’s at this point. Not my race distance of choice currently but Chicago offers a 5K, 10K & half marathon. Great for the whole family & a great girls weekend where there is something for everyone! I particularly love races that have multiple distances so its more inclusive for runner friends at all levels!

It took about 2 miles before I realized that I was going to have to say goodbye to my “little” runner girl. Aby had a poor buildup for the race. Lack of motivation after losing her favorite running partner this summer!! But race day brings magic and well, she was ON FIRE.

Good bye, girl. I must admit, the miles kinda slogged on from that point. I wasn’t tired or hurt but had just come off the IM 70.3 Muncie the week before and I was facing down 2 half ironmans within the next month. I didn’t want to put too much effort into this race. I want to be healthy and that means that I can’t give it my all every time I hit the pavement. I’m at that point in life, and age wise, where I have to train smarter, not harder. So I slogged thru the miles. Slowly.

The course winds thru the streets of Chicago. I’ve ran the race several times at this point so I know the course. The spectators were concentrated at key intersections but it was otherwise a pretty quiet day. Like a training run with lots of friends!

Highlight was that I knew I had a chance of seeing Aby around mile 9, where there is a short out & back on MLK Drive between miles 8.5 & 9.5. So unless she had gapped me by over a mile, which was a real possibility, I had a chance of spotting her. And had I been even a few minutes slower, I would have missed her. But I saw her briefly, shouted “great job” and she shouted that she was going to try to “break 2”. I said, “Go get it!!” and she was off again. She broke 2 on her 3rd half marathon! 1:56 for her!!!! Great job, Aby!!!

Once we finished the out & back on MLK Drive, we head toward McCormick Place & the last 3 miles of the course. There is always a giant inflatable Brooks Running guitarist at the 10 mile mark. Happy to see him, as usual. Then on to finish the race!

Finished!

Aby was flying high from her new PR. We all agreed that the race was great. Well ran. Plenty of aid stations. Lots of places where the City of Chicago had opened hydrants to cool off runners. Amazing volunteers, great course support, great crowd/traffic control. Overall, if your going to run a race in mid July, in the heat & humidity of the Midwest, this is one of the best. Thanks Chicago for continuing to support the Rock N Roll Marathon series & their quest to bring one of the best running races to Chicago, each and every year.

SWAG – Gender specific technical tee & race medal below.

Next up, the Ironman 70.3 Ohio. So I’ll be back next week to tell you all about that race. Have a great weekend & I hope you ROCK your runs, no matter how big or small, at whatever distance YOU love!

** Rock N Blogger – Amanda – TooTallFritz **

Chicago Marathon …. 2016

Posted on October 13, 2016 by tootallfritz

I ran my 5th Chicago Marathon on Sunday! What a beautiful day!! I arrived downtown early because Aby & her friend were volunteering at the 12.5 mile water stop. They had to set up in the dark and wait for the runners to arrive. They had a 6 hour shift, longer than it took most to run the marathon!! Thank you, volunteers!!

After getting the girls off to their volunteer spot, I want and sat for a bit. I was in the second wave this year. Corral J. While the marathon started at 7:30am, I didn’t have to be in my corral until 7:45. I started running at 8:30am. Plenty of time for pics!! I even managed to connect with Diana & Sarah from my local TRI Club! Congrats to Sarah on completing her VERY FIRST marathon!

Finally, we were closing in on the start line. I wasn’t nervous but ready to run. I must say as much as I love Chicago, I really appreciate those races where I can stumble out of my hotel and onto the start line 5, minutes pre-race.

But Chicago and its awesome city keeps calling me back, time and time again. So it was Chicago where I ran my 33rd marathon. I wasn’t sure how it would go. If you have been following along all summer, you know I’ve had a rough TRI season. I’ve stayed after it even though I felt crappy. I kept up the swim, bike, run but if you have done any of those things with me, you know I haven’t been 100%. Not even close. I would struggle getting into and out of my wetsuit. Couldn’t bend over to get it on/off. It took 2 wetsuit strippers at Cedar Point to get me off the ground. If I’m up and moving, I’m ok. If I have to bend, sit or lay down, things don’t go well. So upright and moving forward and everything is okay, right?

I started slow. Most of the spectators by the start had moved on by the time I went thru. There wasn’t one person on the bridge above Columbus after the start. I knew I was running the Chicago Marathon but it was like I had gotten to the line late and was trying to catch up. I knew so many people running, spectating and volunteering. I was watching for all of them but didn’t see many. The miles clipped by slowly. The first half of the marathon is by far the most exciting. The temps were cool. We were downtown. The tall buildings kept many of the streets shaded. Lots of spectators. Columbus Avenue, Grand Avenue, State Street, LaSalle Street. So many people. Then we headed north toward some of my favorite areas. Lincoln Park. Passed the Zoo & the Arboretum. Headed toward Boys Town. I wonder what performance we would see this year. Old Town. Dancing, singing Elvis. Sedgwick, my favorite part of the route. Such an awesome neighborhood. Looks like an amazing place to live.

Wells Street. Headed back downtown. Maybe I’ll get to see the girls at the 12.5 mile water stop?!?! Can’t wait!

Hit a water stop right before 12. Ugh oh, no girls. No way there will be another water stop at 12.5. My gosh, I’m going to miss them too!!!! 20K, not quite half way. Aid station ahead. There they are, cheering, yelling, whooping it up! LOL! Yes! Best part of the run, right there!

On I go. Half way. The course gets congested. So many corrals ahead of me. So many people already starting to suffer. They are slowing down. They went out too fast. I’ve been there. I felt for them but honestly just wanted to keep moving. I’m weaving now. Around the masses who are slowing. I’m not going fast, just need to keep running. The longer I’m out on the course, the tighter my body gets. My back is already starting to tighten and I feel some soreness popping up in my hips and my right glute. Need to keep moving. West Loop. Greek Town. Wish I had some saganaki, like hubby & I used to get at Nick’s Steakhouse. Hmmm… my friend Penny just wrote about Saganaki in her new book Worry Knot. Saganaki. Must get some Saganaki soon. Yum.

Charity Row. Why is RMHC never on Charity Row? They are back preparing the tent for our arrival, that’s why! I love RMHC. United Center. Always so dead around this section. Miles 14 –15 are always boring for me at Chicago. Halsted. Little Italy, where are you? Ashland. UIC. Ahhh, Pilsen, I hear you!! I’m coming!! Best party on the Southside! Everyone is out cheering. Old people. Young people. Kids. Businesses. Lots of food. Orange slices. Beer. Candy. Pretzels. Chips. Thanks, Pilsen, you get better each and every year! On to China Town. Slow this year. Quiet. China Town, what’s up? Mile 22. My hips are tight. I can no longer move laterally amongst the walkers. I’m slowing down. 4 more miles. I can do 4 more miles. More BioFreeze, please!! Sox Park. US Cellular. No idea what they are calling it today. Why do these parks & fields & stadiums keep selling themselves off to the highest bidder. So stupid. Ugh. 35th Street Bridge. Thank you, I’m heading back to the finish now!!! Hello, Michigan Avenue. I’m slow but I’m still moving! Let’s do this!!! Nike Cheer Station. Or it used to be the Nike Cheer Station. Not sure what was happening, or not happening, at mile 24 on Sunday. I think I missed the party. Too slow. Who cares, just finish this thing!!! McCormick Place. I bet I could get a cab there. Is it pathetic to get a cab a mile away from the finish line?!?!? Wow. My back and hips are super stiff. Just keep moving. Just finish. I never knew Michigan Avenue was so freaking long. Oh gosh, there is a bar. They are handing out beer. Please don’t splash beer on me. Gross. Oh jello shots. Yeah, not today, thanks. Look at all that jello on the road. Streets and Sanitation has to hate marathon day. What a freaking mess. Mt Roosevelt. Ahha! I can’t get up this freaking hill. I have to walk. Thank goodness I have my race belt with my bib turned around on my bum. Maybe the photogs won’t be able to identify me walking in those pics. Almost to the top. Start running. You really aren’t going to walk to the finish line, right? No. Move it. 200m to go. Cuz the elites need to know that since they would be blazing the last stretch to try to win the prize $$. The prize $$ is long gone now. Probably already deposited into some Kenyan account. Why do Kenyan’s always win OUR marathon? Oh my gosh, there is the finish. I’m done. Thank you, Lord. Done. #33 done. I couldn’t be more grateful for another successful race. Because every race we finish is cause for celebration.

The Chicago Marathon is a World Major. One of the largest marathons in the world. If you have a chance, run it. Totally worth your time & money. 20 aid stations. Potty stops at each aid station. BioFreeze on the ready. Lots of medial help. More police and volunteers than you can imagine. One of the ONLY days each year that they will shut down the streets for you to run thru 29 different neighborhoods in Chicago. An amazing experience, each and every time. Thanks, for having me again, Chicago.

Swag – Nike shirt & medal. Lots of freebies at the expo though so plan to spend plenty of time hanging out.

The 2017 Chicago Marathon will open their lottery on October 27th. Yeah, just a couple weeks from now. If you want to run the 40th anniversary race, be ready with your credit card soon. Details HERE.

P.S. I had an MRI this week. All my issues from the summer have been due to a ruptured disc in my back. I knew something was up but also didn’t want to wimp out on races that I had already paid to run. Its been a long summer. I did pretty well at Chicago considering and am thankful to be able to keep moving forward. Not sure where treatment will take me but I’m happy to have put Chicago in the done column this weekend. Cheers!

** Run Chicago ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Back to Back Marathons, 2 Marathons in 2 Days …. Tips for a Successful Double!

Posted on May 6, 2016 by tootallfritz

I’ve ran two back to back marathons this year. Yes, that’s 2 marathons in 2 days. The first was the Mississippi Blues Marathon & First Light Marathon in January. The second, just last weekend with the Kentucky Derby Marathon and Flying Pig Marathon. Amazing or Stupid? That is the question.

Sometimes, I manage to over commit. Sometimes, its not my fault. The first time I did back to back days of big mileage was in September 2013 when Women’s Rock first came to Chicago. That race was a mess. They ended up changing the date without notifying participants. I was then faced with a 1/2 marathon on Saturday & an organized 20 miler on Sunday. I was vested & had paid lip service to both events. I was hoping I wouldn’t die. I didn’t. And to be honest it was way easier than I had anticipated. As a result, it spurred my confidence that big mileage, on consecutive days, was possible IF I did it correctly. Myself & Nicki at Women’s Rock (Sept 2013).

From that day, I moved onto the Inaugural Dopey Challenge in January 2014. That’s 4 straight days of running. 5K (THUR), 10K (FRI), half marathon (SAT) & full marathon on SUN. I was hoping I wouldn’t die. I didn’t. As a result, it spurred my confidence that big mileage, on consecutive days, was possible IF I did it correctly. My BFF Minnie Mouse & myself at the first ever Disney World 10K. Inaugural Dopey Challenge 2014.

From the Dopey Challenge, I moved into my 4 for 40 challenge for my 40th birthday in April 2014. My challenge. My rules. I wanted to run 4 marathons in 4 weeks for my 40th birthday. It was kinda a big deal (to me) and ended up being one 50K and 3 marathons in 21 days. I was hoping I wouldn’t die. I didn’t. As a result, it spurred my confidence that big mileage, on consecutive days/weeks, was possible IF I did it correctly.

BUT then life happened. I ended moving to Indiana. I gained 26#s, which I’ve been battling since summer 2014. My plantar fasciitis took control of my life as I left my IL home, and with it my amazing chiropractors (Landgrebe Chiro in Tinley Park, IL). Once I was settled in Indiana, I tried to get back on track with healthy eating, fitness & running. I was facing down my first double marathon weekend in January 2015. Same double as this year (Mississippi Blues & First Light) but I didn’t make it to the start line! Why? I, or should I say my new chiros & PTs, couldn’t get my PF under control. By the time January 2015 rolled around, I could barely walk, let alone run 2 marathons in 2 days. I’ve since found an amazing chiropractor at Optimum Performance in Ft Wayne, IN. My PF is gone. I’m totally pain free.

There’s the background on my build up over the last several years. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend running 2 marathons in 2 days but I did have some experience of big mileage on back to back days so it wasn’t an insane jump for me. Or not as insane as some would think. I wasn’t really nervous. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t die. And I didn’t.

If you are considering a back to back, whether it be 2 half marathons or 2 marathons, here are a few tips.

Don’t take yourself too seriously. Have fun with it.
Don’t over train. I was way too serious the first time (when I was in the throws of PF). I had a lot of high mileage days, back to back. High mileage piled atop high mileage. Let’s just say, I didn’t help anyone fix my PF. And I never had the chance to even start the first race, let alone finish the second one.
Recovery is key. Both during training and on race weekend. I roll with “the stick” and on a foam roller. I use a Recovery Drink after big runs/races. I use Nighttime Recovery caplets when my legs feel heavy or sore. I don’t shy away from an ice bath or cold pool. I use compression during and after hard runs/races. And I do try to get extra rest. That means sleep. Yes, sleep. I take rest days after big runs and leading up to race days/weekends. You can’t run a double marathon weekend if you are exhausted, hurt or hungry. Take care of yourself!
Eat real food. Part of fueling up for a double marathon weekend or recovering from one is about what you put in your body. Dieting? Wrong answer. You need to eat. Proteins. Fats (healthy fats). Carbs. Sugars. If you are on a weight loss journey, marathoning is not for you. I spend a lot of time fueling up and then feeding the machine after. As a result, my weight is high but I’m healthy. I can’t focus on losing weight and still make sure I’m fueled up and recovered. True story.
Take care of your feet!! Rotate shoes. Wear good socks. I prefer Injinji socks because they prevent blisters & the loss of toe nails. I also slather on the Aquaphor BEFORE I put on my socks. I use so much Aquaphor that you might think I get it for free. I don’t. But it works and I love it. Injinjis + Aquaphor = SUCCESS!
Fueling. This is tricky! Fueling for one marathon is hard! Now do it correctly and be ready to run again on day 2! I’ve have some stomach issues, in running and real life. I finally went to the doc and got some stronger meds. Imodium was not doing it for me. Enough said. But I’m now able to fuel properly during the first race without losing everything and being sick for hours (or more) afterward. I also make sure to use my salt tabs if its hot and/or humid. Then I go into recovery mode directly after the race (see above) to refuel & feed the machine for day 2.
Fueling for day 2. Plan on having extra fuel. The first time, we were not prepared to deal with the hunger on day 2. We took the normal amount of fuel that we would need for a marathon. We almost starved. We ate food from aid stations that we normally wouldn’t touch. We ate food from bike support people. We would have hurt someone for a cliff bar, and we almost did.
Pick your day 2 destination wisely. We tend to go where our friends go and I suggest you do the same. The more people you know racing, the better. But if you are doing this solo, make sure the 2 races are in close proximity. I’ve heard people flying from one race to another. That’s not my reality. Our first double had a 3.5 hour drive time between races. That was almost too much. This time it was under 2 hours and that was perfect. Remember, you “might” be tired. You don’t want to spend all day recovering in the car.
Forget what PR stands for and take it easy. 2 marathons in 2 days is a lot for a normal person. Run easy on day 1. Walk up the hills. High five the kids. Thank the volunteers. Do NOT run fast.
Prepare for some initial stiffness on day 2. Especially if day one is cold, wet, windy or hilly. The conditions of day one have as much of an effect on your body as what YOU do during that race. Start out slow on day 2, let your body loosen up on its own and you’ll be surprised how good you feel after 3 or 4 miles. But still take it easy on day 2. This is about endurance, not speed. You want to walk away smiling, not limping!
Schedule a massage for 2-3 days post double. You’ll need it & your body deserves it. You have one body. Respect it.
Rest post double. I go into full rest mode. I’m not a “streaker”. It’s not for me or my body. I value my rest days. If I’m feeling sassy or antsy, I’ll swim or bike. But really, it’s Thursday and my plan is to drink wine and watch tv tonight. I have one objective & that’s to be healthy so I can keep running, swimming and biking. As a result, I err on the side of caution and rest an extra day or 2 beyond what most consider normal. But really, what the heck is normal? 2 marathons in 2 days probably is NOT considered normal.
Frame of mind. Lastly, if you think you can do it, then you can. As with everything, be confident. Know you can do it.

Have you ever ran a double half or double marathon weekend? If so, share your tips for success!

** Run Happy AND Healthy ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

TooTallFritz

Running Toward: Health, Wellness & PEACE …………………………………….. Running From: Insanity, Screaming Children, Housework & a Big Ass

Tag Archives: Marathon Maniacs

Super Marathon–Snoqualmie Pass, WA

Revel Mt Hood–A Downhill Marathon, Portland, OR

Tobacco Road Marathon Race Review

Wildwood Trail Marathon Race Review– Wildwood MO

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon – 2017 Edition

Atlantic City Marathon, Atlantic City, NJ

Monster Mash Marathon – Dover, DE

Rock N Roll Chicago – 2017 Edition

Chicago Marathon …. 2016

Back to Back Marathons, 2 Marathons in 2 Days …. Tips for a Successful Double!

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