Pachaug Trail Marathon–Voluntown, CT

Posted on October 30, 2020 by tootallfritz

As we all know, 2020 has brought its own set of challenges and running & triathlon racing has not been the priority. However, the US is starting to reopen, in stages. Each state is responsible for its own guidelines and like with all things, some states are more lenient than others. If you are willing to travel and/or do some self quarantining, you *might* actually be able to run a race. In person. With other living humans. Last weekend I ran 2 marathons. A trail marathon in Connecticut & a road marathon in Rhode Island. Let’s talk trails!!

The Pachaug Trail Marathon was in Pachaug State Park on Saturday, October 24, 2020 in Voluntown, CT. There was a 50K, marathon and half marathon. Each race was limited to 100 participants. The temperature of each participant & volunteer was taken the morning of the event. Each race took off at a different time. Runners were staggered & wore masks at the start/finish & aid stations. Lots of added procedure to ensure the safety of the participants, staff & volunteers.

This is a small race. I’m not really sure how I found it but its been on my list for over a year. Normally, the event features a 50 miler, marathon & half marathon. However, this year the 50m was downgraded to a 50K for safety reasons and to keep the event moving/quick due to Covid-19 concerns. My race schedule is a lot about timing around the kid schedules. I don’t usually read too much about races. I like the element of surprise and want to experience it for myself without too many preconceived notions about quality, difficulty, etc. So, with that being said, I knew this was a trail race and that it would be hard. I knew that there was “about” 2400 ft of climbing. I also knew that we started by climbing Mt. Misery. That should have been foreshadowing. If you follow me on Instagram or FB, then you’ve seen some of the photos. But let it suffice to say, that this was a difficult race. I have a new PW (personal worst) for trail running performance. But we made it to the finish line safely and as someone so kindly mentioned, we received the same finishers medal as the person who finished first. First climb of the day, Mt. Misery.

Photo credit – Jen C.

Photo from the Live Loud Running page.

Big rocks, boulders & tree roots were the foundation for this trail run. Apparently in Connecticut, the Pachaug Trail is very well groomed & runnable. If you are from the flatlands of Indiana or Illinois, then you probably haven’t seen anything quite this technical.

We spent a lot of time walking/hiking/climbing.

The venue for the run was in Pachaug State Park. Over the course of the marathon we hit the Pachaug, Nehantic & Quinebaug trails. The double loop marathon course also took us up/down Mt Misery, Breakneck Hill & onto Hell Hallow Road. As road runners we love our roads. Up/down or otherwise, the terrain is usually good!

It was a beautiful run. Very scenic. Most of the climbs were manageable.

But as I mentioned previously, we spent a lot of time hiking vs running. I love my trail shoes but if I were to do this again, I’d go with something a lot thicker on the sole. My feet were pulverized by the rocks. Plus our ankles and all the stabilizing muscles/tendons really took a beating due to our overall lack of grace when it comes to traversing rocky terrain.

Overall, great race. Great experience. But we were slow, plus we hit a few wrong turns! There were only 2 aid stations on the loop, then one at the start/finish. Everyone carried hydration packs and that was very necessary since the aid stations were spaced out and the time it took between aid stations was pretty long, particularly for us since we were riding the struggle bus.

We did have a slight issue on loop 2. We hit the 2nd loop with plenty of time to spare but we were last. Like DFL (dead fuc*ing last) and the ~~Balloon Ladies~~ sweepers were following us, cleaning up the signs and markers. We were kissing the cutoff times & the first aid station had been cleaned up before we got there. Slight stress since some of the crew was out of water but the 2nd aid station was waiting for us. THANK YOU! Everyone was super nice. And we even had a lady in a truck that kept meeting us at intersections, checking on us, who was kind enough to tell us to “take our time”. Very thankful that we were able to finish. We did beat the cutoff for the entire race, which was 8 hrs. We finished in 7:41. Yes, new PW. As my buddy Todd so kindly pointed out, if my PW keeps increasing, it will eventually get to the point where it will be UNBEATABLE. Why thank you, thank you for that.

Thanks to the Indiana/Illinois crew who traveled & ran with me. No idea how I have any friends after some of these “adventures” but this crew usually shows up to either bail me out or suffer with me. Thanks, guys!! Me, Matt, Julie & Todd.

SWAG – Buffs are all the rage now. Who knew that 2020 would be the “year of the buff”.

Pachaug was my 58th marathon (or longer) & my 34th of the 50 states. Connecticut is in the DONE column. Beautiful part of the country. I’ll definitely go back!

** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

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

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 **

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 **

Rock N Roll Marathon Series – Nashville TN – #RNRNashville

Posted on May 4, 2017 by tootallfritz

Saturday was my first time at the Rock N Roll Marathon Series event in Nashville TN. While most are talking about the unprecedented heat (93 degrees & 86% humidity) or maybe the many hills that Nashville presented to us over the course, I want to talk a little bit about the SPIRIT of Nashville. The crowds, the volunteers, the residents, the race officials and the overall good vibe from the city as it welcomed us with open arms. And by “us”, I mean me & 25,000 of my closest friends. People further than the eye can see. This photo is as we were attempting to get to our corral for the start.

This is one of the largest Rock N Roll races in the country with only RNR Vegas being larger. If you’re a half marathoner & making your rounds, do put RNR Vegas on your list too. It’s fun & so awesome to run the Strip at night.

Finally we were into the corrals & ready to go. There were 40 or 41 corrals in order to ease congestion on the course. But the race was busy. The entire way. Both with runners & spectators.

We started out on Broadway heading east toward the river. This is otherwise known as “Music Row” and we ran past all the famed “Honky Tonks” that make Nashville & its various artists famous. If you like country music, live music or bars in general, this might be the town for you. Plenty of places to grab a drink & hear some live performers. Grab a group of friends & make a weekend out of it!

Quick trip down Broadway, then over & back up Demonbreun to pass the Country Music Hall of Fame & the new Nashville Music Center (location for expo & packet pick-up). I just love the architecture of the Nashville Music Center. One of my favorite buildings in this town, pictured below, on the left, brownish building.

Then a quick pass by the start line & all the runners still awaiting their start in the corrals.

Photo Credit: Julian Smith, visiting from England!

Next up, the Visual Arts Center & Music Square, which features Carnival Music & the RCA Studios. Thanks to Mr. Julian S. for grabbing a few photos of this area (below). This is the location of the famous “Studio B” from RCA that recorded early greats such as Elvis & Dolly Parton.

On to Belmont University (pictured below, photo courtesy of Julie Molenar), Troutt Theater, McAfree Concert Hall, Children’s House of Nashville & the Battle of Nashville Monument Park.

Between mile 5 & 6, somewhere around Gale Lane Community Park, we saw our first collapsed runner. Others had seen one down much earlier around mile 3, but by mile 5 to 6, everyone was really feeling the heat. RNR did an excellent job with aid stations that were close together. The medial teams were well staffed. Sprayer hoses, ice, cold water, Gatorade, oranges, salt packets, Glukos gels/chomps, cold towels/sponges. It was just a matter of getting from aid station to aid station. And that’s pretty much how most of us had to think about the race, just one small segment at a time.

On to 12th Avenue where there were lots of shops, restaurants, and spectators. I’ve got to give it to the spectators, residents of the city & volunteers. They were tireless (and hot too!) as they moved around to help out the runners. The neighborhoods that we ran thru were in full on party mode. Music, beer shot stations, Krispy Kreme donuts, bounce houses for the kids, local bands. It was fun, fun, fun! Another pic from Julian below of the neighborhood parties. Great selfie, Julian!

Back around Belmont University & Jane Ayres Academic Center (Julian S’ photo below), another loop thru downtown. As we headed back out of the downtown area, we caught a glimpse of the Tennessee State Capitol & then split with the 1/2 marathon runners around mile 11.5.

Shout out to the Nashville Rescue Mission for all of those cheers as we passed at 11.75 & 15.25. YOU all, rocked our run! Thank you! Then we rejoined the half marathoners at mile 16. That’s when reality really hit. We could see probably 1000 or more people on the half marathon side, all walking. Not one runner. Just a sea of people in good humor walking & talking. Heading toward their finish line.

I was a bit surprised that we had so many people on our side for the full marathon. It wasn’t packed like the side for the half, but there were still a quite a few toughing it out with us. We were never alone. Those of us who ran the full got a special treat too as we were able to loop the field at First Tennessee Park.

Next up, Musicians Hall of Fame & Woodland Street. The finish line was off Woodland in the Nissian Stadium. We said good bye to the half runners for the final time around mile 17-18. But not before some of us took a run thru a fountain in the business district! I may or may not have instigated the fountain running. Michael would be proud of me. Smile

East Park, 5th Street & Davidson Road along the Cumberland River. One loop around Shelby Park & then we FINALLY headed back to the finish line at Nissan Stadium. Long race. Took us 5 hrs & 18 minutes and no that’s not a personal worst. We’ve had some really hot races. We don’t run well in the heat but we have learned how to survive. If you find yourself running a really hot/humid race, I suggest: 1) stay on top of your hydration – drink before you’re thirsty; 2) plan to use extra fuel because your body is working harder & you’ll be out on course longer; 3) use any means necessary to keep cool – ice, water sprayers & cold towels work great, 4) wear a visor to keep the sun off your face but it will in turn allow the heat to escape thru your head, 5) use sunscreen cuz if you burn, your skin can’t breathe & 6) make sure you have access to salt tabs. When you are taking in a lot of water to stay cool, your tummy get sloshy. You may throw up. The chances of vomiting & dehydration are less if you can get that water in your tummy to absorb. Salt/electrolyte tabs/capsules will help the water to absorb.

Huge shout out to all the runners who managed to FINISH RnR Nashville despite the heat! There were several points where some of the full marathoners got turned around/diverted due to weather & cut-off times. Please don’t get discouraged if you got cut-off at this race. The heat was bad. Nobody was hitting the times that they trained to run. It happens.

Stats: 2,445 marathon finishers, 67 marathon finishers that got cut-off/turned around at the 10.7 mi mark, 18 marathon finisher that got cut-off/turned around at the 18 mi mark, 20 marathon finishers that got cut off at the 20.2 mile mark, 17,821 half marathon finishers, 2,776 5K finishers, 841 mile run finishers, 12 half marathon wheelchair finishers, & 11 full marathon wheelchair finishers.

Congrats to all the runners! Thanks to all the volunteers, medial staff, police, spectators & the bands that kept playing even though the sun was beating down on them too! The spirit of Nashville really showed throughout the weekend but especially on race day.

SWAG:

Quick note about the marathon finisher jackets. The cut is the same as last year but they are longer. The length now goes over most of our rumps, at least for the ladies. I’m tall, if it goes over my bum, it will probably go over yours. Utilize the sizing station at the expo to determine the correct size. You may want to size up if your bum is bigger than your waist. Otherwise you won’t get this jacket zipped. Example below.

** Run Happy, all! ** Rock N Blogger – TooTallFritz**

Rock N Roll Las Vegas Marathon … Strip At Night … Race Review + RNR Discount Codes

Posted on November 16, 2016 by tootallfritz

This weekend I was at the Rock N Roll Marathon Series Las Vegas event. Otherwise known as “ The Strip At Night”. This was my first time at Rock N Roll Las Vegas and I was pleasantly surprised. I haven’t been to Vegas for a long time but its relatively easy to navigate by using the monorail, cabs/uber or walking. The expo is just steps from the monorail at the Las Vegas Convention Center and was open from Thursday thru Saturday. This is one of the largest RnR events with over 40,000 registered runners! They offered several races throughout the weekend: 5K (8249 finishers), 10K (5498 finishers), Half (22,052 finishers) & Full marathon (2655 finishers). PLUS there were 230+ people who participated in the Run Thru Wedding during the half & full marathon.

Packet pick up was quick & easy. However, if you wanted to purchase race gear, the lines were long, unless you were a Tour Pass Holder or a VIP. Medium sized expo that could definitely cover you for anything you needed or left behind. I was in and out because I had hubby in tow and didn’t want to thoroughly bore him but the expo looked fun!

Las Vegas to hubby & I is all about the sights. We spend a lot of time walking around the strip, downtown, various casinos & checking out exhibits. So by race time on Sunday night, I already had 70+ miles of walking on my legs. If you want fresh legs for your race, I’d recommend getting to Vegas right before the race, then staying afterward to see the sights. The Vegas event has some additional obstacles too. It’s a “must do” race because the course features the legendary Las Vegas “Strip”, at night, when all the casinos are lit up. They only shut the strip down to vehicular traffic 2x per year. For New Years Eve & Rock N Roll Las Vegas. Its something to see and a huge event for runners, visitors & locals alike. But do be careful of what you eat & drink leading up to this late afternoon race so that you have fun running & not running to the potties!

The half & full marathon started at 4:30pm on Sunday night. Four different wave starts. Numerous corrals in each wave. I started in the first wave since I was a marathon runner. Each wave started with a burst of fireworks.

This event is definitely crowded off the start but thinned out quickly. It seemed like everyone was very excited and many people wanted to run fast. Like really fast. The sun was just starting to set when we began to run & it was cooling off. Kinda nice. The first thing to be seen on course was the Vegas sign. Welcome to Las Vegas.

After passing the Vegas sign we were headed toward the more well known parts of the strip with lots of casinos and flashing neon lights. This is only about 1.5 miles into the race & you can see that I already have plenty of road to run. I didn’t feel hindered by the crowds and could run the pace I wanted.

2 miles into the marathon & half, the Luxor & Excalibur.

Mile 3 – Planet Hollywood & Paris

Mile 4-5, Mirage & Treasurer Island

There was definitely an excitement in the air. I think this race was about so much more than running to many of the participants. I heard a lot of chatter about this being the first time at a particular distance. So many spectators. So much energy. It was dark. It was cool without the sun beating down on us. It was beautiful. The night was lit up with all the beautiful lights of Vegas. It was an experience like no other. This was my 36th marathon and I must say, it will stand out in my memory for a long time to come.

At mile 6, near the Stratosphere, we were welcomed to Downtown Las Vegas.

Around mile 8, Meb passed me. Fast. I heard someone shouting that Meb was passing & to say “hey”. And then he was gone. No pic for me. Boooo! Mile 9-10 down Freemont Street for a peak at the lights.

And as the lights of Freemont Street faded behind me, I knew that the “fun” was almost over for the marathoners. As the half runners were joyful & close to their finish, we turned off around mile 11 into the darkness. Away from the lights. Away from the crowds. Away from the “fun”. Some streets were lit with streetlights. Some not lit at all. Random bands were out on the marathon route and since we were weaving in and out of parallel streets, in a very close vicinity, I could hear a band multiple times at various places on the course. We still had a clear path, no question as to where we were headed or where to run. It looked really confusing on paper but the route was well marked and there was never a question as to the direction we were headed. I was impressed with the volunteers & the volume of Las Vegas PD Officers who were out on course helping us. I can’t imagine the number of people it took, all working together, to make this a successful event.

Miles 13-18 were all in and around the World Market Center. Getting in and out of this area is where you will find the only “hills” on the course. It was kinda nice for some varied terrain. I really loved this section. Looking at it on paper looks insane & confusing. I couldn’t picture it in my head at all. But we ran around the World Market Center several times in roped off “pathways” created by organizers. There were a lot of lights & music that could be heard throughout the complex. Cool area.

Miles 19 & 20 were non-eventful. Then we hit the strip for a millisecond at mile 21 near the Stratosphere. We were on the strip for maybe 3/10ths of a mile before being directed off, toward the back lots of Circus Circus. I now understand that this was the 5K route. So if you ran the 5K, then you know the route of which I speak. There was loud music & a huge display of fireworks with lots of neon lights. By this time, I was not having fun. My stomach was upset & I had some abnormal aches & pains. I was ready to be finished. Headed out of the back lots & back to the strip for 3/4 of a mile, then we were once again directed off strip for our final detour before the finish. Mile 25 & we were about to return to the Strip for our final 1.2 & what we were all awaiting: the finish.

And the finish was sweet. I was so happy to see it. #36 was in the DONE column.

We received a spinning, glow in the dark Finisher’s Medal!

And a gender specific Finishers Jacket with reflective accents. I used my New Orleans Finisher Jacket on the left (below) so you can see both the back & the front; however, I only received one jacket for finishing the Las Vegas race. The race tee is in the middle. Gender specific.

I really loved the first 18 miles of this race. I’m sure the miles that I had logged walking around Vegas the days prior to the race didn’t help me get thru the last 8 miles swiftly. But I ran conservatively and tried to enjoy it. Just kept moving toward the finish. It doesn’t matter how many marathons I run, it still all about patience & surviving whatever the day & conditions bring me. And trying to enjoy it, no matter what. Smile

This race had 14 aid stations on the marathon course, 18 music stations (many which you could hear from multiple locations), and 3 medical stations. They also handed out Glukos gels & gummies 3-4x. It was a well supported race. Clear direction as to the race course. Members of the community, even in less populated areas were out and cheering on runners. Great race but if you came for the party, stick to the half marathon because you’ll see everything & maybe still get back to hubby before he breaks the bank.

Sound fun? They are doing a early pre-sale for 2017 RnR Las Vegas HERE. You can register thru Sunday, 11/20/16 for $99 for either the half or the full.

If you loved Vegas and/or are trying to squeeze in a couple more RNR events, feel free to use my $15 off discount code (TTF2016) for these upcoming events: RnR San Antonio (12/4 – I’ll be at this one!!), RnR DC (3/11/17), RnR Dallas (3/19/17) & RnR Nashville (4/29/17).

** As always, Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

Garmin Marathon, Olathe KS

Posted on April 22, 2016 by tootallfritz

The Garmin Marathon in Kansas is in the DONE column. I’m slowly working my way thru the states. I have an ongoing, long term goal to run a marathon in every state. Slowly cuz well, I have a budget and a family. I have basically given up all other racing, other than marathons (and 70.3 triathlons), in order to put all my $$ toward this goal. As a result, I try to pick marathons in new states whenever possible. I’ve also become a frugal traveler to save money and make the quest a bit more manageable. We pile 3-4 people in the car/hotel room and don’t do much other than eat and run. Kansas was state #19 and Garmin was my 30th marathon. To be honest, this feels more like an adventure than a goal and each new state brings new friends and more stories for my golden years.

Kansas. What do you know about Kansas? I apparently knew nothing. I imagined vast areas of grasslands, farm fields and flat terrain. Like very flat where the wind would blow for days with nothing to stop it. I was wrong. As I was driving thru Missouri bound for the border town of Olathe, KS, all I could see were hills. Lots and lots of rolling hills. I must admit I was slightly distressed. I normally don’t have a predetermined goal time for marathons. I normally just run what we can manage. If we are all having a good day, we run comfortable. If not, we run, walk, jog at whatever pace we can manage. No big deal. We just roll with the punches. But this time, for the first time in a very long time, I had a goal in mind. One which honestly, should have been quite manageable. I was healthy (thanks to Dr. Goins at Optimum Performance in Ft Wayne IN). I was strong. I have shed some of the weight I gained almost 2 years ago with our massive move. Most of all, I was confident that I could hit the numbers. But the numbers would only compute if the terrain were flat. I am a poor hill runner. My body just struggles with the uphill & we have very few inclines in this area on which I can try to improve this weakness. In fact my Saturday run group has gone out of their way all winter to run up each and every incline we could find, sometimes twice. But it wasn’t enough. No PR for me in Kansas. But I tried and I walked away proud, knowing I didn’t give up before we even got started. I rolled with the plan, hit the numbers until I could not physically hit the numbers any more. So there you have it. No PR in Kansas.

The expo was easy and fast. A few cutouts of Wizard of Oz characters (See Tamyra, myself & Cindy with the Wicked Witch below). Several booths but mostly local businesses & events. The Gypsy Runner booth was definitely the busiest booth at the expo. I love her normal stuff but she printed a shirt specific to this Wizard of Oz themed race and it was awesome! The “Don’t Make me Drop a House on You” burnout tank was quite popular and I was lucky to snag one before they sold out. Me, Cindy & Julie in our tanks on race morning. (Available here at GypsyRunner.com).

The race shirt was also very popular. The shirt was gender specific and featured the image of the Wicked Witch with a quote saying “Never Surrender”. So appropriate, although I didn’t know it at the time.

The Embassy Suites was the host hotel and actually connected to the Olathe Convention Center where the expo was located. Super easy expo, hotel stay & race start/finish. In fact we didn’t even move our car to go to dinner but rather walked across the street to a nearby venue. It was a great decision because when we returned, we found that the finish line was already set up. Had to get a pic all together at the finish! Erica, Me, Tamyra, Judy, Elina, Cindy, Julie & Eric. So fun!!

Race morning came and the weather was comfortable, in the mid 50s at the start. Unlike most race mornings, this one was particularly easy because the start was about 50 feet out the front door of the host hotel. Nice. Now, let’s run! Tamyra, Judy, Me, Cindy, Random Dude & Julie waiting for the start.

The start was right on time. The hotel was a top a hill. Shocker. As we crossed the start line, the view was a sea of people and a hill in the distance. Photo credit: Gypsy Runner. She was probably shooting the hill ahead but she caught a glimpse of Judy (center in the black maniac tank/yellow visor), Julie is front right of Judy in the black tank & you can barely see my head in front of & above Judy & Julie’s head, I’m in a black tank too. Love it!

We were hoping to leave the hills behind as we ran away from the hotel but that wasn’t the case. There wasn’t the usual chatter. Some talk, but mostly just running. It was a head down kind of race for me. I tried to not look at the hills, which resulted in my head being low and on the ground in front of me most of the time. I was hoping if I didn’t “see” them, then I wouldn’t really process them. I was also hoping that if I didn’t acknowledge how quickly it was heating up, then that wouldn’t be happening either. I was in denial, right?

The aid stations were well stocked and spaced about 2 miles apart. Lots of water, Gatorade, GU & potties. I also saw several medial tents. The race was very well ran, lots of volunteers, police and even a lady riding a bike dressed as the Wicked Witch. Photo credit: Gypsy Runner.

The first half of the marathon course was on the streets of Olathe. The last half was an out and back on the Mill Creek Trail. Garmin boasted a new course this year due to the start/finish being moved to the hotel & convention center. See map below.

I had high hopes that once we hit the trial, the course would flatten out and cool off as we entered the woods. It didn’t. I was getting pretty close to hitting the wall at this point. I had ignored everything and was able to average between 9:18-9:41 thru the first 14 miles. Then I hit the wall. I wasn’t hurting, just didn’t have that pace left in my legs. I needed to start walking some of the hills. The Mill Creek Trail was pretty. We crossed several bridges & creeks and it was a nice area to run. I would have loved it and ran it frequently if I were a local. Photo credit: Gypsy Runner (pic 1) & Tamyra (pic 2).

The temps heated up to the mid 70s during the race but we did have some cloud cover and a breeze toward the end. Speaking of the end, I was kinda dreading the hill at mile 25. I knew it was coming because we had to run down it around mile 13. But I also knew as soon as I could get myself up that hill, I was in the home stretch. Photo credit: Gypsy Runner

Ah, the finish! Just follow the Yellow Brick Road! I’m on the left. The two other gentlemen, I had met the day before at the original Kansas City Joes while we waited in line for BBQ. They were on pace to pass me up before the finish but then took pity on me and ran me in since they were “in no hurry”. LOL! Photo credit: SeeKCRun who in conjunction with the Garmin Marathon allowed free photo downloads! Nice touch!

I was shooting for a 4:10. Ran a 4:33. I’m not sad. I did what I could. I didn’t give up until I didn’t have a choice. And I know that 4:10 will soon be mine. I’ll just have to wait til fall for it because the Garmin Marathon was my last chance for now.

Elevation chart showed 940 feet of climb. 930 of decent. Not crazy climbing for some but a lot for this Midwesterner.

Very cool medal. It’s huge and I love the Wicked Witch theme. There were 588 marathoners who earned this medal!

2037 half marathoners earned a Glenda, the Good Witch medal. 653 runners earned the Hot Air Balloon 10K medal. Overall, the Garmin Marathon did a great job. Stayed on theme. Great support and even a great course. There was an after party with free beer and several booths, lots of massage & chiro people to help stretch out the runners. And the best part, upon completion, I walked straight into the hotel for a hot shower and my recovery drink. Nice!

That’s a wrap for Kansas! Next up is a double marathon weekend with the Kentucky Derby Marathon on 4/30, then the Flying Pig Marathon on 5/1. THEN I move into a fun filled summer of Triathlon. I can’t wait!

Happy Running, whether its up hill or down, just keep smiling!

Amanda – TooTallFritz

Mississippi Blues Marathon Race Review – 2016

Posted on January 12, 2016 by tootallfritz

Last year at this time, I could hardly walk. The Plantar Fasciitis Devil had a firm hold on both of my feet. I could move once I got warmed up but if I tried to run, I would tighten up after a few miles and normally be stopped in my tracks. If I tried to “push thru”, I would be rendered useless for days. I would tighten up when I would sit down. Or go to bed. Or drive in the car. Walking was nothing but excruciating to the point that my non-runner (and generally unsympathetic) hubby would walk thru the house multiple times a day to clear the floor of toys, dog bones, debris or anything on which I could accidentally step because if I stepped on anything, I would crumple to the floor in pain. I wish I were exaggerating but if anything, I couldn’t possibly give an idea of how badly I was hurting if you have never experienced the deep grips of Plantar Fasciitis.

For all who witnessed my pain, or if you asked my hubby or the slew of Physical Therapists, Orthopedic/Sport Med docs and Chiros that I saw when I moved to Indiana, the idea of me running “much” in the future was slim to none. I was scheduled to run the Back 2 Back Challenge 2015 which was the Mississippi Blues Marathon & First Light Marathon double, but I could not do it. I mean, I couldn’t walk, I certainly couldn’t run 2 marathons in 2 days. So, I deferred my entries to 2016 with a hope and a prayer that I could get the PF under control within a year. And I did, thanks to some amazing Chiropractors at Optimum Performance in Ft Wayne, IN. HUGE shout out of thanks to Dr. Russell & Dr. Goins for everything they have done for me over the last year. And for not taking the easy way out by just saying, “stop running”. For the record, as of today, I am pain free. Like zero pain when I walk or run or get up out of bed. Pain free. And I am beyond grateful.

So, the Back to Back Challenge was a GO for 2016. The Mississippi Blues Marathon was Saturday, January 9, 2016 in Jackson, MS. The First Light Marathon was January 10, 2016 in Mobile, AL. Let’s talk about MS Blues today!

MS Blues offered a small expo at the Jackson Convention Center and easy packet pick up before the race or even on race morning, if necessary. Parking was easy and free. Packet Pick up was fast and painless. We even spotted and shopped with our favorite marathon runner and expo booth, Gypsy Runner. Thanks for hooking us up with some cool stuff, Amy!

This year’s race was all about honoring BB King who passed in 2015. They put a BB King CD in each of our race packets. We also each received a harmonica with the date/logo of the event & a cool unisex 1/4 zip with BB King on the back. Great swag.

If you’ve talked to anyone about the MS Blues Marathon, you’ve probably already heard about the hills. So let’s just get that out of the way right now. This race is hilly. And I don’t mean maybe. Very hilly. I think Judy said that we climbed over 5500 feet in elevation over the course of the race. And descended about the same. So many ups and downs on this course. Pretty much non-stop. But it was beautiful. Great course thru stunning neighborhoods, amazing homes, great volunteers and police who were actually smiling and thanking us for coming to run their city. Small race, with approximately 755 marathon finishers, 1871 half finishers, 307 Quarter Note finishers & 28 relay teams. We had a lot of fun, even with the rain. We started in the rain and finished in the rain. In fact, there was as much rain as there were hills, maybe more. Smile Steamy pic of Julie, Judy & I under the lights pre-race.

Pic of some of the course below. Hello hill (pic 1).

Selfie.

Course below.

MS Blues really does it right and we really enjoyed ourselves. They focus on the Blues element of this historic area. In fact a portion of the proceeds from the race go to the local Blues Foundation. Generally this race has a 9 different spots for live performers on the course but the weather was bad this weekend. There were a few spots where we heard music but nothing like there would have been had it not been down pouring rain most of the day.

We finished. It was very slow going in the beginning because the streets just could not accommodate the number of runners. We were really packed in tightly for several miles. Not a problem for us but if you want to race this, then plan a slow start or head to the front! We just took it super easy and walked a lot of the hills since we were headed to Mobile AL for another marathon on Sunday. We finished in 5:10 (factoring in way too many potty stops and a lot of hill walking) and the sun had finally came back out, minutes before we crossed the finish line. Yay for the sun. Judy, Julie & I at the finish. Very cool BB King medal with a hanging guitar pick.

There was a finisher party with food & music but the music wasn’t playing and the food was gone when we got there. Supposedly more food was the on the way but my tummy was already upset so we waited a half hour and then left to get cleaned up and back on the road for the trip to Mobile, AL.

If you can hang out in Jackson after the race, there is a very popular Blues Crawl that takes you to some of the local music venues in Jackson post race. There is also a Blues Trolley that does the driving in case you want to have a beverage. We missed the fun but I heard that it’s amazing.

** Run MS Blues Marathon ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

TooTallFritz

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

Tag Archives: Runner

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Mississippi Blues Marathon Race Review – 2016

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