Wild Duluth 50k 2015

Date: Saturday, October 17th 2015, 8am start
Distance: 50k
Weather: Upper 20's/lower 30's to start. Into the mid 40's in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, low wind.
Runners: Brian Guzik
Crew: Mom, Dad, Marcus and the kids (Jonah, Griffin, Finnley and Juniper), Elenia and Cece (Brian's wife and daughter).
Gear: Hydration pack, salomon capris, t-shirt, armwarmers, Brooks jacket, Dirty Girlz gaitors, smartwool socks, Saucony Kinvara Trail's
Fuel: Mostly gingerale, hard-boiled eggs and string cheese at the aid stations. A lemon luna bar and sport beans throughout, along with water from my pack.

Training and Preparation: I ran my first trail race about a year ago, Surf the Murph 25k. I was hooked. In the Spring, I ran the Zumbro 17 and the Superior 25k. It was about this time that my brother mentioned that he had signed up for the Superior 100 and hoped we all would pace him! His wife (Courtney) and my husband (Marcus) are also runners. 

Most 50k training plans have you running at least 5 days/week. The reason I've been able to consistently run for the past 4 years is because I like running 4 days/week. So I took my favorite marathon schedule and upped the mileage by 118% (the approx. difference between a marathon and a 31 mile race). 

Summer in Minnesota this year was unseasonably cool. Which was awesome for me! I have a really hard time running in heat and humidity and wasn't at all sure how my training would go. I had both pacing my brother and my first 50k in the fall so I knew I couldn't let my training go if the weather was uncooperative. I spent a lot of time at Afton and even got a couple of 10-12m trail runs on the SHT, north of Grand Marais. Overall, I averaged 30.3 miles/week (96% of my goal mileage of 31.5 miles/week which is awesome), max weekly mileage was 45 miles in week 13 of 18.

Summer training went very well and I had a great time pacing my brother from Cramer to Lutsen (essentially the "Moose Marathon") but I'll have to write a separate blog for that. 

Race Weekend Preparation: Marcus and I had made plans with my mom to take our very first child-free vacation in nearly 20 years the week after Wild Duluth! We had planned on also going to the race alone, but after crewing for my brother, we decided our kids really needed to see what goes on during these races. Up until now, they really hadn't been to a race. Aid stations are special places. Volunteers are awesome people. Our kids needed to see this side of humanity. 

Waiting in line for the 
bathroom at the start.

So we packed up all the kids Friday afternoon and headed to Duluth. My parents were meeting us the next day and were planning to take the kids back home with them while Marcus and I headed to our cabin in the BWCA for the week. Thus, there was a lot of packing to think about the week before leaving! I was constantly thinking I'd forgotten something!

We had made reservations at the Black Bear Casino. Since it was a "holiday" weekend (MEA), the hotel prices in Duluth were outrageous and now that we needed 2 rooms, we decided to go cheap. I had no idea what to expect, having never been to a casino before. Walking in the lobby was not good. The overwhelming smell of smoke had me turning around while Marcus checked us in. I said to everyone we were not unpacking the car until we'd checked the rooms out. While we had requested a "non-smoking" room, I wanted to make sure it met my nose's sensitive standards. Thankfully, the rooms were clean, quiet and odor-free! Honestly, we'd probably stay here again. Less than 30 minutes from both Duluth and the race start, it was easy to get to and only a couple of hours from home.

We quickly unpacked and headed to the packet pick-up. I had decided not to drop any bags as I didn't want to have to find them again at the end of the race and was fairly confident my family would be able to meet me at most aid stations. 

Some of my very cold crew at the start.

We then headed to the Duluth Grill! I always eat very well the night before a race, not always so hungry the next night. I completely splurged and had the Mac & Cheese! How could I not when it's naturally gluten-free? It was amazing! I ate the entire bowl. It was super yummy!

We had hoped to meet up with Brian, Elenia and Cece for dinner, but they were running a bit late and didn't get to the restaurant until we were leaving, but it was good to see them and talk for a bit before heading back to the hotel. We still have a little one with a 7:00 bedtime and she doesn't let us forget it. Juniper slept on the floor in our room on a camping pad/sleeping bag we'd brought along while the older kids spent the night in their own room (we hear later there was quite a bit of "people watching" at the pool and perhaps a few pillow fights as well)! I sat in bed, watching some shows on my ipad and knitting before reading and trying to sleep. 

New 1st grade Waldorf friends,
Juniper and Cece.

I actually slept a little bit which was a surprise for me as I have been known to not sleep for even a minute the night before a race, especially when not in my own bed. Alarm was set for 6am, but I was up at 5:45 and in the bathroom changing. Of course, I had obsessed over what to wear as the weather was going to be quite cool at the start (around freezing) but into the mid 40's later in the day. I went with capris (shorts would have been fine), a t-shirt and armwarmers and my jacket. Needed the mittens for about a mile or two (per usual). Wore my old Kinvara Trail shoes, full of holes, and my new Dirty Girl Gaitors. I had bought new shoes 6 weeks ago (Saucony Nomads) hoping to wear them in, but after the first run at Afton resulted in matching blisters on the bottom of my feet (seriously? bottom of the feet? I'd never had bottom of the feet blisters before!) I decided to stick with my trusty Kinvara's and hope they didn't fall apart.

Juniper and Marcus were both up by 6am and we finished getting ready. Ate a peanut butter sandwich I'd pre-packed and hoped for a few bathroom trips to clear out the pipes before leaving! 

Jonah was going to stay behind and wait for his grandparents to pick him up and help pack up the hotel room we no longer needed. The rest of us got in the car and headed to the race start around 7am. It was less than a 30 minute drive through parts of the city we'd never seen before. 

Brian and I at the start. He's a pro, this was my first!

By the time we got to the start, the bus had already dropped off most of the runners. Got in line for the bathrooms, met up with Brian, heard a few rules (follow the pink ribbons and the blue blazes, when in doubt follow the blue blazes) and we were off!

Mom's amazing map to all the aid stations! She's awesome!

Start to Grand Portage (Miles 0 to 5.4 - 5.4 miles)

While we started off on the road, we very quickly headed into the woods and up onto some fabulous mountain bike trails. I hear this was different from years past, but it was all new to me! The trails were gorgeous. Fairly wide and extremely runnable. I was really feeling great and I don't think I walked any of this section. The hills were short and varied and really runnable. Once we got to the power line section, though, things started to get interesting. The race came to a sudden halt while people had to pick their way down the very steep hills. Some sliding and slipping while I tried to get my footing on the very narrow and very steep hills. Almost slammed into Brian at one point, but I caught myself. In hindsight, this might have been where my knees really took a beating which later became quite a problem. The aid station came out of nowhere after the power lines. A quick check-in asking for kleenex (nope, but they had paper towels) and I was out again. Up until now, Brian and I had stuck pretty close together, but he got out of the aid station before me and I was pretty sure I wouldn't see him again until the end. 

Really runnable mountain bike trails!

Grand Portage to Munger (Miles 5.4 to 11 - 5.6 miles)

Down the boardwalk, 
eating an egg!

Knowing there was no crew access at the first aid station, I was looking forward to seeing my family during this 2nd section. Unfortunately, shortly after leaving the aid station, my left knee started to bother me a bit. Nothing too bad, but it was something I was thinking about. Worse on the downs, not so bad on the flats and ups. I honestly don't remember too much about this section. I remember getting up to the road/bridge and thinking that there were a bunch of cars so this must be the aid station. Sure enough, there was my crew! My parents had picked up my oldest son and Marcus was there with the other 3 kids, too. They were great! All asking what I needed (Advil for my knee, gingerale and a hard-boiled egg that Finnley dug out of my cooler for me). Decided I was still dressed appropriately so while I had already shed my mittens earlier in the race, I left everything else "as is". Decided to head into this next section briskly hiking (a skill I learned well while pacing my brother during the last 1/4 of his 100 mile race). Down the boardwalk I went!

Munger to Magney-Snively (Miles 11 to 15.3 - 4.3 miles)

I had heard that I would be quickly heading up to Ely's Peak during this section and I was not disappointed! My left knee was bothering me quite a bit. I hoped the Advil would kick in and make it all go away. Getting up to the peak was fine. In fact, the elevation so far during this race was really no problem at all. Nothing too steep and most hills were pretty short. The terrain, on the other hand, was pretty crazy. Extremely technical trail! Lots of roots and rocks, all obscured by leaves of course. I was stumbling a lot. If I lost concentration for even a second, I'd stumble. While not uncommon for me, this was more than normal and I was really fearful of falling. I got up to the peak and had promised myself and my brother, Alex, that I'd stop and enjoy it for a bit. Took some pics and was off again. 

Ely's Peak

This section really was very rocky. In fact, most of the trail markers consisted of blue blazes painted on the rocks as there were simply no trees! Had my knee been feeling better, I'm not sure I could have run most of this section. Power hiking it was. Thankfully it was so beautiful out! The weather was absolutely perfect and the leaves were in peak season. Despite my knee problems, I was really enjoying myself. Had more gingerale and some string cheese I'd packed and was off again.

Heading into Aid Station #3.

Hanging out with my daughter 
before leaving the aid station.

Magney-Snively to Spirit Mountain (Miles 15.3 to 17.3 - 2 miles)

My wonderful and very supportive
 husband, Marcus and our
youngest child, Juniper (7).

By this point, the pain in my left knee had not improved at all. In fact, it had now moved to my right knee, too. I think I had been favoring my left leg and the force was too much for my right leg. Now the downs were really difficult for me and I was in a lot of pain. I didn't think I was causing any permanent damage, thought it was just some bursitis. Knew I was well ahead of any sort of cut-off and I wanted to finish this race so badly so I just powered on. 

Unfortunately, shortly before the Spirit Mountain aid station, one of those many stumbles turned into a full throttle fall. I curled into a ball and rolled a complete 360 before thudding to a stop in the middle of the trail. I was in shock and couldn't move. Of course, my left knee took the brunt of the fall when it slammed against a huge rock. I thought for sure that this was it for me. There were 3 guys behind me who all stopped. I remember telling them I was fine, just go on ahead. The aid station was close, I was confident I could get to it. But they wouldn't leave me until I'd gotten up. Josh (a sweet young kid, working on his first 50k, too) helped me up and stayed right by my side until we got to the next aid station. Andrew and his dad had ran on ahead, but I bumped into them a few more times throughout the race. I hobbled into the aid station, hoping to see my family, but that was not going to happen. In fact, I didn't see any crew there at all. I had heard that this might be a difficult aid station to get to so I wasn't too surprised not to see them. In hindsight, it was probably a good thing as it really made me power on to get to the next aid station. At this point, I was really actively having to ignore my knees. They were both flaring up. Thankfully my left knee had pretty much gone numb so I couldn't feel much from the fall. 

I remember grabbing a mini Milky Way, commenting to the kid manning the fire that it was beautiful and heading off again.

Spirit Mountain to Highland/Getchell (Miles 17.3 to 22.2 - 4.9 miles)

The kids exploring in between aid stations.

I was in full power hiking mode at this point. Shuffle running when I could, trying to keep my pace up as much as I could. I ran on and off with Josh and ended up running into Andrew again and he and I chatted for quite a bit. He was running with his dad and had some good experience with this race so it was nice to have someone to talk to for a bit. Getting to this aid station, I decided to shed my jacket as I was plenty warm and the sun was out. I never ended up shedding the arm warmers and probably could've gotten away with wearing a light long-sleeve instead.

Heading into Highland/Getchell 
with my kids.

Highland/Getchell to N 24th Ave (Miles 22.2 to 27.9 - 5.7 miles)

This was the last longest section before the end. I knew the last section was only 3 miles so getting through this section was going to be my goal as I know there was no chance of not finishing with only 3 miles left! I was power hiking like crazy, ignoring the pain in my knees. I so badly wanted to run. My leg muscles were aching to be used. They weren't tired at all. I had trained so hard for this and wanted to run, but I just couldn't. Every time I tried, my knees screamed at me and I started stumbling a lot. I simply couldn't bend my knees enough to gain enough clearance to avoid the roots and rocks. I could not risk another fall so I had to slow it down as much as my body didn't want to. 

Heading out of Aid Station #5.

Marcus giving me a hug, 
drinking my gingerale.
Only 3 miles to go!

N 24th Ave to Finish (Miles 27.9 to 31 - 3.1 miles)

At the last aid station, I was elated. My dad had been waiting for me about 1/2 mile from the station and I thought this couldn't possibly be it! Nope, but it wasn't far. Ran into my mom about 1/4 mile from the station and then the rest of the family. The last aid station! I was super happy and extremely motivated to finish. I never really hit that "let's just get this done" feeling. I really didn't want it to end. What a better way to spend a Saturday in Minnesota in October? 

Before leaving the last aid station, I remember mentioning to Marcus that it would have been nice had we thought for him to bring some running gear so he could run with me during this last section. Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, that was clearly not happening. I knew most of this section was downhill and while before running the race, I was excited about that fact, my knees had other ideas. The thought of a bunch of downhills was not exciting me at all! 

My amazing crew! Dad, Mom, Jonah (16), Griffin (13),
Finnley (10), Juniper (7) and Cashmere (an aging 15).

I remember hearing the bell ringing in Enger Park. I tried to ring it myself, but wasn't agile enough so a stranger standing nearby gave it a big bong for me! Thank you, stranger! I ran into quite a bit of pedestrian traffic at this section, even a large birthday party happening at the park. Actually had to slow down a bit as the trail was pretty packed with people. On the next painful downhill, I heard some commotion behind me and assumed a racer was trying to pass. Yes, there was a racer, but there was also Marcus! Sporting a skinny pair of his 16 year old son's soccer pants! He looked ridiculous, but I was so happy to see him. Apparently, he had dug through Jonah's bag (much to Jonah's chagrin) and found the pants. Struggled to pull them on and then tried to catch up with me, which he did about a mile and a half from the end. It was nearly all downhill at this point so it was amazing to have someone to talk to so I could ignore thinking about my knees. Once we got down to the road and the finish was in sight, I really wanted to run. My muscles were aching to run! So we did. Slowly and shuffly! A Duluth runner passed by and asked if I was running Wild Duluth. She was a road runner, but was super excited to see me running this race and I think I might have motivated her enough to sign up next year!

At the finish, with my kids! Thumbs-up!

I wasn't too sure where the finish was. We could see it, but not exactly how to get there. It seemed to go on for awhile and there weren't very many runners around me at this point. I had been running alone for much of the last 2 sections. I was absolutely convinced that I was one of the very last runners. My watch had died around hour 6-7. Previous to the race, I had thought I'd finish around 8-9 hours (but, to be honest, I had hoped for 7.5-8 hours). Knowing I was very close to the 9 hour mark, I didn't slow down at all. Everyone was waiting at the finish, even Brian, Elenia and Cece! I noticed the clock still had an "8" on it which thrilled me. I received my mug, downed a full cup of chicken and wild rice soup, took a few photos, packed up the kids in mom and dad's car and we all parted ways. Stopped to get take-out at Duluth Grill (a hamburger with their amazing kale this time) and headed back to the hotel where I promptly fell asleep about halfway through Mission Impossible. Sorry, Marcus, hope it was good!

Thank you, family! We miss you, Kylah!

My experience with aid station food hasn't been great. I avoid gluten and like to have protein while running so my options are limited. Therefore, I decided to bring some of my own food this time - I pre-boiled some eggs and brought up a bunch of string cheese sticks. Paired with some sport beans, lemon luna and lara bars and I was set! I actually didn't eat any gummies at all. Tried to stay up on my salt pills (just in case, even though the weather was cool) and drank as much water as I could, although I know I could have drank more as I don't think I peed during the entire race. Had gingerale at every aid (I never drink pop, only at aid stations and only gingerale, it's weird). 

Final Time: 8:54:04 (116/152) which put me in the top 76%. I'm thrilled! And very curious to see how my performance would compare without knee pain. Might I be back next year? We will see...not sure if knowing what to expect would make it easier or more daunting! It's a serious technical trail!

Recovery: I'm writing this a week after the race and while the bursitis in my knees got better after a couple of days, the bruise on my left knee is massive and still very painful. The first few days I was quite sore and moving around (especially going down stairs) was slow going. We did a bit of hiking in the BWCA, but towards the end of a mild 3-mile hike, both knees were reminding me they weren't quite healed. I'm going to try to run a flat 3-4 miles tomorrow, hoping to get back into routine again soon! Planning to sign up for both the Zumbro 17 and the Superior 50k this spring!

Zumbro 17m 2015

Date: Saturday, April 12th 2015, 9am start
Distance: 17 miles
Finish time: 4:06:27
Pace: 14:30 minutes/mile
Place: 226/275 (overall), 90/122 (female only), 11/31 (female age group 40-49)

Training: I very much enjoy training in cooler weather so after completing my first 25k trail run in October 2014 (Surf the Murph, finish 3:27:37), I knew I wanted to run another in the early spring so I could take advantage of training throughout the winter. Zumbro seemed like the perfect fit, even though I had heard such weather-related horror stories! Honestly, I wasn’t too worried. I don’t mind snow or rain, but I very much mind heat and humidity. Figured I’d give it a shot. My brother has run many ultras and got me hooked on the trail bug. So while I’m nowhere near the distance he likes to run, I do like these shorter races a lot! In fact, I’m also signed up to run the Superior Spring 25k, along with my husband, my brother and sister-in-law and their 2 good friends.

After finishing Surf, I averaged about 27 miles/week throughout November and December. We had a VERY mild winter this year – both in temps (rarely did we get below zero) and snow. In fact, I didn’t miss a single day training and only had to run at the gym once due to cold weather!

Starting in January, 13 weeks before race day,  my average went down a bit (25.3 miles/week), but I was able to pick up running out at Afton. I had 4 really good runs out at Afton, ranging from 9m-15m. For the 15m run, I actually ran the Afton Trail Race route which was fun! I really enjoyed running there on Fridays after dropping the girls off at school. It was very quiet, hardly a sole!

About a week before race day, I watched the weather like a hawk. We had no snow on the ground and temps were looking pretty good. Too good for what I’d heard about Zumbro. Anywhere from torrential hail and thunderstorms to blizzards are common. Forecast this year was for rain but not on race day! Instead, the course got at least 2” of rain earlier in the week. Fortunately, race day was perfect. Dry, sunny and ranging from 45-60°.

Day before race (Friday): Marcus had taken the day off months ago as we weren’t sure if we were going to head down the day before or not. In the end, since the girls had the week off from school, we ended up going to the MN Zoo, to Ikea (“first apartment” presents for Kylah’s 19^th birthday) the Good Earth for lunch (fabulous salmon and hot tea) and then dropped the girls off at Mom and Dad’s for the night before heading back home. I was a bit worried about a hip pain I’d had over the last week. I didn’t think it was running-related, but I wasn’t sure as I hadn’t run much this week. And every step I took, I could feel it. Thought walking around the zoo for several hours would help, but it just made me even more sore and worried.

Jonah had a concert to attend with a friend (Chris Hardwick). Marcus and I binge-watched 3-4 episodes of the new Netflix show, Daredevil. I tried to get to bed on time as I really hoped to sleep well as my alarm was set to go off at 5am. I am NOT a morning person! Unfortunately, and I honestly don’t know how this was possible, but I did not sleep for a single minute all night long! Honestly, I wasn’t worried, I wasn’t nervous and I had no excuse not to sleep! I just couldn’t get to sleep, no matter how hard I tried. I think I was thinking too much about the 100 and 50 milers that were all out there running. It seemed off that I was in bed while they were working their butts off. It was a weird feeling.

Race day (Saturday): Gave up on sleep at 4:45am, wandered around a bit and we left at 5:30. Took a wrong turn somewhere, but still managed to get to the race an hour early. I had tried to eat in the car, but really wasn’t hungry and was slightly nauseous so I decided not to push it. Had some success (runners, you know what I mean) at a gas station along the way so wasn’t too worried.

Note to self: Print out paper instructions in case you lose cell service and can’t count on google maps! Thankfully, I was quickly able to snap a screenshot of the directions before we were completely screwed. Getting there will be so much easier next year, now that we know where it is. Staying in Lake City would be a close-enough area, it was very pretty.

Getting to the race start early was good. No worries about where to park or having to stand in line! Lots of tents scattered about the parking lot. Marcus saw an older lady curled up and sleeping inside a sleeping bag next to her car! Not sure if she was in between laps or waiting to run. A few campfires going and people trying to stay warm as it was in the low 30’s, but I knew it was going to quickly warm up. I picked up my race bib, packet, paid for my t-shirt and sweatshirt and headed back to the car to stay warm. Watched a few runners getting ready for their races, including Larry (the founder of the Zumbro races), it was cool to think that we were going to run with him, he’s a legend! Finally stripped off my outer layers and started milling around with people around 8:30. Peed at least 3-4 times, too! Also drank a bit of coffee shortly before starting as I was really needing a pick-me-up right about then. Talked with several people before and during the race. Among them, I was the only non-veteran! It seemed as if everyone had run this race before! It was encouraging to know a lot of people are loyal and come back.

John Storkamp went through the pre-race briefing and off we went! The first mile was pretty much all uphill. As I had hoped to walk all the uphills, these veteran runners were all way more interested in seeing who could get to the top first! It wasn’t until we were nearly at the top that those in the back (including me) finally decided to hold back a bit and walk. The overlooks were quite impressive and there were a few of them throughout the race. While we were very high up and could see for miles, the terrain was pretty colorless this early in the spring. Once hitting the first peak, we ran through quite a bit of mud and what John had termed “water-filled deathtraps”. Once we got to the first downhill, it was purely a matter of figuring out how not to fall on your ass as it was all one big mudslide! Thankfully, my hip was fine! Didn’t notice it at all.

I had a warm earband and armwarmers on that I knew I’d take off early on. I was hoping Marcus would be able to get to the first aid station before me (apparently, we take the shortcut while they have to drive the long way) so I didn’t have to stash them in my pack. It was all downhill heading into the first aid station and I was feeling great (didn’t know it at the time, but the mile before the 1^st aid station was my fastest). Tore off my earband and armwarmers, threw them at Marcus and I was on my way, didn’t even stop. I knew he wouldn’t be at aid station 2 or 3 and likely not 4 so I was pretty much on my own from this point on. These hills were no joke! Just when you thought it couldn’t go any higher, you’d turn a corner and realize that, yep, that’s another hill! Only when all you could see the tops of trees did you know for sure you were at the top!

Getting into the 2^nd aid station, I stopped and had a bit to drink. I don’t normally drink pop, but for some reason, ginger-ale sure tastes good during a race! Weirdly, so did M&M’s and gummy bears.

Heading into the 3^rd leg, there was a lot more sand (I now know why the 2/3 aid stations are termed the “sand coulee” aid station). It was nearly impossible to run through, even though it was mostly flat. While going from the 1^st to the 2^nd aid station seemed to take awhile (probably because you “see” the 2^nd aid station shortly after leaving the 1^st, but it’s ages before you actually get there), getting to the 3^rd aid station took no time at all!

Took off for the 4^th aid station after just a few minutes. I knew that once I got past 12 miles (halfway between aid station 3 and 4), the steepest inclines were over. What I wasn’t prepared for was the gravel road heading into the last aid station! Similar to the long stretch of gravel along the river at Afton, this section was quite boring. Up until now, I hadn’t had much success listening to headphones. I tried a podcast for awhile with one earbud in, but I just wasn’t able to concentrate. I had been running on and off with a couple of different people at this point. One guy (I’ll call him the guy in the orange shirt as I never picked up his name) was really a great motivator. It was awesome to hear his cheeriness throughout the last half. We even got into a discussion on what the best bathroom break etiquette was in a course with very little foliage cover! I eventually found a tree partway down a hill and took a few minutes to pee.

Soon after I met Andy. While he’d run one marathon and this was his 2^nd time at Zumbro, he and I really agreed on liking these smaller distances and were very grateful they’re offered! Running with the 50 and 100 milers was incredibly special. Most of them were on the 3^rd or 6^th loop and it was clear they were “in the zone”. Some would chat, others really just wanted to be cheered for. I ran into a woman (Susan Donnelly) a decade older than me at the last aid station. Later found out this was her 7^th Zumbro finish (and she’s completed at least 10 sawtooth 100’s, too). She was awesome.

Heading out of the last aid station, I overheard the finish was less than 3 miles and was termed “a gentle finish”. So while there were a couple of uphills, there were also some very runnable downhills and a lot of winding single-tracks through the woods (my favorite type of running). The last mile or so wasn’t as much fun as we ended up on another gravel road which was a bit boring, but as a 100 miler told me, he’d take the flat gravel over the hills any day! I tried earbuds again, music this time. Packed them away about ½ mile before the finish.

Marcus was waiting for me at the finish. While I felt D.O.N.E., I didn’t feel wrecked. My toes hurt, but that was about it. I was curious to take off my shoes and assess the damage. A couple of blisters, but nothing too bad. This was mostly due to the fact that my laces were way too loose (which I have to do to keep my feet from falling asleep) and my feet had way too much wiggle room. I’ll try tightening them next time and see if that helps. Oh, wore my Saucony Kinvara Trails.

I had tentatively thought I’d finish in about 4 hours so a finish of 4:06:70 was an awfully good estimate!

Marcus and I hung out at the finish for awhile. I had been running on and off with a 12 year old girl and after seeing her check her blood sugar at the last aid station, I was kinda mama-bear about her and I wanted to see her finish. Which she did! So did Larry. It was very cool and brought tears to my eyes when John Storkamp gave him his medal and a big hug.

We finally headed back to the car where I changed (yep, head to toe, naked in the car). It felt good to strip off my wet clothes! Headed home, stopping at Caribou to get some much-needed caffeine and to stretch my legs a bit. Ate some snacks that I had pre-packed (cheese, strawberries, a Joia, rice cakes). Once home (which seemed to take about half as much time as getting there did), I took a shower and enjoyed a fabulous pizza while waiting for dad to bring the girls home.

Had very little else to eat that night – some shrimp Marcus had made a couple of bites of ice cream. A large glass of red wine and I was sound asleep by 9:30. Hardly moved until 9am this morning.

Post race (Sunday): Today I feel quite great. Not very sore at all, just a few twinges here and there. No Advil! Took Jonah shopping at Tanger outlet, but otherwise took it easy. Have a 5m run planned tomorrow morning and a 90 minute massage in the afternoon. All the kids are finally back in school after nearly 4 consecutive weeks of spring breaks.

Life is good.