I don’t remember when I first heard about Comrades, only that people who I deeply respected spoke very highly of it, and it became one of my earliest “bucket list” races. When I tried my first 50 miler and it took 14 hours, it felt like a distant dream to take on a hilly 55ish…
Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon 2019
Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon complete in Deadwood, South Dakota. A point to point race from Rochford to Deadwood on the George S. Mickelson Trail, a rail trail that offers stunning views of the surrounding Black Hills Nation Forest. A steady climb for 13.5 miles followed by downhill the rest of the way with the exception…
Vermont City Marathon 2019
Big Long Thing 206 done today at the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, Vermont. A brief backstory: 3 years ago I did this race and they cancelled because it reached 83 degrees. They cancelled 4 hours in so it was a very expensive trip to a fun run. I was, and remain apparently, pissed. I…
Martha’s Vineyard Marathon 2019
Dan and Paula’s 50th State celebration at the Marthas Vineyard Marathon. Rarely in life do you meet people so devoted to offering kindness and grace to all, such is the case with Dan and Paula. I haven’t known them long, but they’re family to all that know them from the first meeting. It was my…
Starved Rock Country Marathon 2019
BLT #23 for 2019 complete at the Starved Rock Country Marathon in Ottawa, IL. 5 miles of suburbia, and 21 of farm land and hills in the state park. The regular course was changed this year due to flooding. I found the course rather dull, but the community was very supportive. I suppose it might…
Providence Marathon 2019
20th sub-4 hour marathon state complete today at a rainy Providence Marathon, in Providence, Rhode Island on Cinco De Mayo. Rolling hills through downtown Providence along the Seekonk and Providence Rivers with a fair piece on bike paths. VERY well supported (seriously I was offered gu at two different aide stations before the first 5k)…
Kentucky Derby Marathon Festival 2019
State 33 for the 3rd round of the states completed at the Kentucky Derby Marathon Festival Marathon in Louisville, Kentucky. 8 miles bouncing around L’ville, a trip through Churchill Downs, then down to Iroquois Park, over some hills then back into downtown bouncing around and ending at the riverfront. Local support was good, and I…
Coastal Delaware Running Festival Marathon 2019
Amy’s 50th State done at the Coastal Delaware Running Festival in Rehoboth, Delaware. The marathon course is substantially similar to the one in December, a few hills on mostly bike trail and asphalt through Cape Henlopen Park and the surroundings but less drinky. A great weekend with the race wife and company my only regret…
Go! St. Louis 2019
Big Long Thing (marathon or longer) #200 complete at the Go! St. Louis Marathon in Missouri. Not as hilly as I expected but several seemingly endless climbs. I was tired but semi-functional today, so that’s a good sign. Great volunteers made the somewhat dull course more interesting though I loved the finish. Oodles of amigos…