49 - El Maraton del Rio Grande, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Billy the Kid

My New Mexico marathon was combined with a tour of much of the State. As you might know, Billy the Kid became a legend in 1880's New Mexico. Much more recently, the popular TV series "Breaking Bad" was filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mark is very interested in old west history (including Billy the Kid), and he also is a huge Breaking Bad fan; therefore, he jumped at the chance to accompany me on this trip!   I am not a Breaking Bad fan (part of one episode was more than enough for me to endure), but I was willing to see the filming locations.  It was also fun to learn more about the history of Billy the Kid and the events surrounding his life and early death. Our vacation was the week before the marathon; details of the vacation are at the end of the blog.

El Maraton del Rio Grande was the final day of the Day of the Dead series of marathons that started on Monday, October 27.  Each day, the course was a loop of 1.0917 miles out, and than back along the same trail that ran along the Rio Grande River in La Llorona Park. Since each loop or lap was only 2.18 miles, that meant that one had to do each loop 12 time to complete the full marathon (26.2 miles). You could run a marathon on any of the 7 days or on all of the days.  There were about 9 people who ran each of the seven days; however, I was not one of them.

Unfortunately, I had read about the course before I got to New Mexico. Usually I don't look at the course description, but for some reason, I stumbled upon it and read it.  My initial reaction was total dread.  How in the world was I going to be able to run the same loop 12 TIMES !!!  I even considered bringing music along, which I never do during a marathon.

It turned out much better than I anticipated.  Instead of counting 26 miles, I was counting 12 laps or rubber bands.  Each time we got to the turn-around, which was both the starting and finishing place, as well as the "one giant aid station, with more food and drink than you could ever need," we picked up a rubber band to help us keep track of our laps. After picking-up 11 rubber bands and running one more lap, we proceeded to the finisher's table where our time was recorded and we received our medal. Following is a link to the video that Mark took of me finishing:




The medal was a small New Mexican ceramic tile with skull art on it. Each tile had a different depiction of skull art and we got to choose our medal. The race T-shirts were different...they also had skull art with Dia de Los Muertos written on it.

Since I had some prior knowledge about the "unique multi-loop course setup," I decided to bring along an extra pair of sneakers to leave at the turn-around. The first pair I wore was fairly new, so I was concerned about getting a blister. The race director put out a tarp on which we could leave our things on while we were running. About half way through, I changed sneakers, which turned out to be a good idea because a blister had formed on the inside of my left foot.  After changing sneakers, it didn't "grow" any more. Another advantage to this course was that I did not have to run with my running pack around my waist (for my cell phone and power bar).  I was able to leave that on the turn-around tarp.

It was true about the giant aid station: there was more food (and a huge variety) than I have ever seen at an "aid" station.  The two things that stood out for me were the coffee and hard-boiled eggs with salt.  At the 6 AM start, it was chilly (the sun had yet to come up) so the coffee was a much appreciated "aid." Even after it warmed up, the coffee tasted great; there is nothing like a cup of black coffee in the middle of a long run. The hard boiled eggs with salt were the best idea ever!  A dose of protein with salt is a great energy combination — egg with salt and a little coffee, my kind of "Red Bull."

On marathon Day 7, the day I ran, there were 33 people running the full marathon.  Our names were written on our race numbers, and everyone called out each other's name as we were passing each other, running along side, or meeting up at the aid station.  Everyone was friendly and encouraging; it felt like a marathon party!

So, all things considered, this marathon was the most unique and actually quite fun.

Vacation details:

Tuesday, October 28, 2014:

Arrived late evening into Albuquerque, and rented a car.  Stayed at The Hotel Blue. Dinner at Flying Star Cafe, which was around the corner from the hotel. 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014:

Breakfast at The Hotel Blue.  Took a morning trolley tour of Albuquerque.  Lunch at Vinaigrette. Coffee at Steve's Ice Cream and Java in old town, Albuquerque.  Drove up to Taos on the "High Road to Toas." Stayed at the Inn on the Rio. Dinner at The Love Apple.

Thursday, October 30, 2014:

Taos Pueblo

Breakfast at Inn on the Rio.  Visited Taos Pueblo & Kit Carson Home & Museum. Lunch at Bent Street Cafe & Deli.  Coffee at Coffee Cats.  Drove to Las Vegas. Dinner at El Fidel Restaurant. Stayed at Historic Plaza Hotel in the haunted room (310). 

Friday, October 31, 2014:

My Dad's Birthday - he would have been 86 years old.  After we checked out of the hotel, we visited the Santa Fe Trail interpretative center. Drove onto Fort Sumner.  There happened to be a restaurant in Fort Sumner called Fred's so we had lunch there in honor of my Dad's Birthday (my Dad's name is Fred). Visited Billy the Kid's grave and Bosqu Redondo Memorial.  Drove onto historic Lincoln. Stayed at Wortley Hotel in Lincoln.  There was no restaurant in town open for dinner, so Donna from the Wortley found "something" in the kitchen to "whip up" for us (homemade burritos). Donna had a fire going out in the back of the hotel, under the stars and that's where we had our dinner.  Saw a shooting star!

Saturday, November 1, 2014:

White Sands National Monument

Breakfast at Wortley.  Walked around historic Lincoln.  Drove to Las Cruces.  Stopped at White Sand National Monument along the way.  Stayed at Big Chile Inn.  Dinner at St. Clair Winery & Bistro.

Sunday, November 2, 2014:

Los Pollos Hermanos

Breakfast in room.  Marathon started at 6 AM -  daylight savings time was over so it wasn't too bad.  Drove to the start.  Later in the morning, Mark walked the mile to La Llorona Park from the hotel, in plenty of time to video my finish. After the marathon we drove back to Alburqueque. Saw a double rainbow on the way!  Stopped in Truth or Consequences (T or C, as the New Mexicans call it) for lunch at Passion Pie Cafe.  When we got back to Albuquerque, we made a brief visit to Los Pollos Hermanos - restaurant from "Breaking Bad," which is actually called Twisters in Albuquerque.   Back to The Hotel Blue and to dinner at Flying Star Cafe. 

Monday, November 3, 2014:

Morning flight  to NYC.

48 - Logan View Raider Run, Hooper, Nebraska

My Nebraska marathon, the Logan View Raider Run,  was coordinated with a motorcycle tour of the Cornhusker State, which I did with my brother Chris (the one from Alaska).  We experienced the full "flavor" of Nebraska and ate tons of beef.  Chris and I met in Omaha the week before the marathon, rented Harley's, and explored. Chris did not run the marathon, but he did act as my main cheerleader for the race.

After we returned the motorcycles back to Omaha, we rented a car and drove north about 30 miles to Fremont, which was the closest "big" city near the Logan View Raider marathon in Hooper. It was a small marathon, with only 70 people running, and it was a blast.

The pasta dinner the night before the marathon was delicious.  It came highly recommended, and I'm glad we went because usually the pre-marathon pasta dinners are nothing to rave about.  A lot of runners attended the dinner. It was nice to meet them that night and then chat with them the next morning during the marathon. Three people in particular stand out:

John and Karen drove there from Michigan and are running the 50 states in alphabetical order. Nebraska was state #27 for them.

Eugene, in from Connecticut, has completed a marathon in each of the 50 states, 9 TIMES!!!

The marathon course was a 26.2-mile loop on mostly gravel.  Overall, I found this marathon to be a "treat."  Getting to run on the soft gravel surface was a treat for my legs, while running the loop was a treat for my mind since I got to see new scenery for the entire run.  

Thunder storms were lurking in the distance, but they never manifested.








Just after the start, there was an amazing sunrise, and then, a little farther along on the course, a rainbow.







Specifics to remember, triviality to treasure:

Saturday, August 23, 2014: Arrived Omaha.  Stayed at DoubleTree.  Dinner at The Grey Plume.

Sunday, August 24, 2014: Brunch and dinner at Upstream Brewery.

Monday, August 25, 2014: Picked-up motorcycles at Dillion Brothers.  Chris rented a Street Glide and I rented a Heritage Softail. Breakfast at Jimmy's Egg.  Rode to north to South Sioux City, NE, about 90 miles.  Stayed at Marina Inn.  Dinner at Kahill's.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014: Breakfast at Kahill's, included in room charge.  Left about noon.  Rode along the Outlaw Scenic Byway to Valentine.  Stayed at Niobrara Lodge. Dinner at Peppermill. Rode about 250 miles this day.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014:  Breakfast at the hotel.  Rode along Highway 97 south, a small country road.  Stopped in Thedford for lunch.  First stopped at local art gallery, Thedford Art Gallery, in town for information, there was an "info" sign out front.  The ladies at the gallery told us that there was a local artist who use to live in Alaska, Ron Fullerton.  When we went to the place that they recommended for lunch, we met Ron.  Ron was born in Dover, NJ! His son owned the lunch place. Started to rain while we were there.  Continued to Broken Bow and got a room at the historic Arrow Hotel.  Dinner at Bonfire Grill. Rode about 170 miles this day.

Thursday, August 28, 2014:  Breakfast at little downtown cafe called City Cafe and Donut Shop. Rain stopped by the time we left.  Rode to York for lunch - Chances "R."  Continued onto Lincoln. Got a room at Embassy Suites.  Were able to park right outside the front door.  Dinner at Lazlo's. Walked around "historic" downtown after dinner.

Friday, August 29, 2014: Breakfast at hotel. Rode to Omaha, hit a little rain along the way.  Dropped off my bike and then rode on the back of Chris' bike to the airport to pick-up the rental car.  On the way back to drop off Chris' motorcycle, hit a major downpour.  Drove to Fremont.  Room at Holiday Inn Express.  Dinner at J's Steakhouse.

Saturday, August 30, 2014: Breakfast at hotel.  Lunch at Bella's Broad Street Diner- delicious homemade corn beef hash.  Drove to Logan View School in Hooper to pick-up race number.  Spent afternoon at Fremont Lakes.  Back to Logan View School for pasta dinner.

Sunday, August 31, 2014: Got a ride with Ken from New Orleans to the start.  Ran marathon.  Chris was at the finish, cheering me in.  Showered at the school.  Drove back to Omaha.  Dropped off rental car at airport, took shuttle to hotel (DoubleTree again).  Dinner at Jackson Street Tavern.

Monday, September 1, 2014: Early morning departure back to NYC.

47 - Dances with Dirt, Devil's Lake, Baraboo, Wisconsin

The Dances With Dirt Marathon in Wisconsin coincided perfectly with my mother-in-law's (Lois) 81st Birthday in Hector, Minnesota.

Mark and I flew into Minneapolis and drove to Hector.  What would you want to do for your 81st birthday?  Lois wanted to sky dive. Jill, my sister-in-law/organizer extraordinaire, rallied the family together to accompany Lois. The day before we were scheduled to jump, Lois' doctor did not give her approval, so the rest of us had to go for her.  Sky diving was never something that I had ever thought about doing, but thanks to my mother-in-law, I can now say that I've sky dived! To get an idea of what it was like to jump from 13,000 feet, see this video of my sister-in-law Mary's (joke teller extraordinaire) jump:  http://youtu.be/SautAl3xj9Y

The Sky Divers and Support Crew

Mark and his friends in Wabasha, MN

Thursday afternoon, we left Hector and started on our way to Wisconsin.  We spent the night in Wabasha, MN, which was about half way to our final destination, located along the Mississippi River. Mark was able to catch up with some old friends there.  Dinner was at T-Bones Grill and Bar.

Friday morning, we continued to Devil's Head Resort, in Merrimac, WI where we stayed for the night before the marathon.  Check in for the marathon was in a big open field, only a 5-minute walk from the resort.  Mark chatted with the race director about what we should do for the afternoon.  He recommended that we go for a short hike to see the view from the bluffs near Devil's Lake and suggested The Barn for dinner.

Devil's Lake in the background

We drove to Devil's Lake and found the trail. According to the trail map, it was only 0.3 miles to the top, no big deal (or so we thought).  Well, it was 0.3 miles straight up, with some natural rocks as the only stairs. While we were walking along the bluffs, I noticed there were some flags making the trail.  It turned out that these were markers for the race, and that I would be back at the same spot the next day during the marathon.  It was another 0.3 miles straight down.  By the time we got back to the car, my legs were shaking; this was not the best idea the day before the marathon.

We decided to have an early dinner, but when we arrived at The Barn, it was packed.  We waited at the hostess stand for a long time, no one came to help us, nor could we catch any one's attention.  Finally another couple came in —Ned and Susan. They live in Wisconsin a few hours away and were in town to run the half-marathon the next day. Ned, who I think has a little New Yorker in him, was finally able to get us a table; we had dinner with them. We came to understand that a Friday Fish Fry is a tradition in Wisconsin, and restaurants are always busy on Friday nights.  We also came learn that Ned and Susan knew Henry.  I met Henry during a marathon in Oklahoma in February 2011.  At that point in time, he had run about 800 marathons.  As of July 12, 2014 Henry's marathon count was 982, on his way to 1000!

Saturday, the marathon started at 6:30 AM and, thanks to the time change I had an "extra" hour  to sleep. There was  also 50-mile and 50-kilometer races that started at 5:30 AM, and a 10K and half marathon that started at 7:30 AM. All the races started at the same spot just outside the resort.  The trail included technical and rocky single-track, back country paths, and yes, we got to run up the bluffs near Devil's Lake, where we had hiked the day before.  I took it slow and only fell once with no major cuts or bruises. Guess who I "ran" into on the marathon course...Henry of course!  He was running the 50K.

Elevation Map for Marathon

After the marathon, we relaxed at the post-race party with burgers and Bell's beer, talked with other runners, and met Ned and Susan again.  Back at the resort, I took a shower and then we started on our way toward Minneapolis.  Along the way, we stopped at Culver's for lunch....got to "experience" Wisconsin Cheese Curds.  We spent the night in Eau Praire, WI.  Mark found a nice place for dinner, Fanny Hill, over looking the Chippewa River. It was a beautiful view and a nice night.

Sunday we flew out of Minneapolis back to NYC.

46 - Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, Knoxville, Tennessee

T is for Te, Te, Te...

nnessee!!!

Why the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon?  It fit my schedule.

Friday:
Flew into Knoxville and took a taxi to the hotel (Holiday Inn Knoxville Downtown Worlds Fair Park).
Lunch: Downtown Grill & Brewery.
Dinner: Blue Coast Grill & Bar.
Desert: Orange Leaf.

Saturday:
Race number pick-up, which was conveniently located at my hotel.
Breakfast: Pete's Coffee Shop.
Snack: The Casual Pint Downtown.
Dinner: Calhoun's On the River.
Desert: Orange Leaf ... again.

Sunday:
Marathon started at 7:30 AM, right outside my hotel door.  The course was a little tough, a lot of small "hills" ...  but it was a beautiful day for a marathon; sunny, but not too hot. ... finished on the 50-yard line at Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers Football Team.

Back to hotel to shower —got a late check-out, thank goodness!
Took at taxi to the airport ... flight delayed because of the weather in NYC.
Lunch: Ruby Tuesday at the airport — a surprisingly, amazingly, delicious burger.

45 - Asheville Marathon, Asheville, North Carolina

The Asheville Marathon was a challenge, but it was well worth it. Carol, my close friend from NYC, choose this as her second marathon and suggested it as the one I should do for my North Carolina marathon.  In addition to getting to run with Carol, another big selling point for this marathon is that Asheville is known as beer city!


We arrived late Friday morning in Charlotte, rented a car, and drove to Asheville.  The weekend was filled with carbo loading, hydrating, and napping...

Carol

Friday: 
Lunch: The Blackbird - Battle of Brocks Mill Smoked Porter
To hotel (Marathon host hotel - Doubletree) for nap...
Waiting for table at Tupelo Honey Cafe: Beers at some dive bar that we never got the name of
Dinner: Tupelo Honey Cafe - Rye Ale
After dinner: Browsed the books at Battery Park - a Book Exchange, Champagne, Espresso and Dog Bar

Carol

Saturday:
Breakfast: Early Girl Eatery
Back to hotel for nap...
Afternoon: Run/walk around Biltmore Village
Late afternoon: Catawba Brewery
Early dinner:  Corner Kitchen



Sunday:
Early morning: Took a bus from our hotel to start of marathon at the Biltmore Estate; the entire marathon was run on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate.

Carol in front of the Biltmore House

"This country retreat, built for George Washington Vanderbilt III, is located in the scenic Appalachian mountains in western North Carolina in the town of Asheville, known in the late nineteenth century as a health resort. This large estate was planned as self-supporting with gardens, a nursery, farms, and forests surrounding the estate.  The name Biltmore derives from 'Bildt,' Vanderbilt's ancestors' place of origin in Holland, and 'More,' Anglo-Saxon for open, rolling land.

(http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/ncarolina/biltmore/biltmoreintro.html)

It was a chilly, cloudy morning with 100% rain expected by 10 AM.  When we started at 7:30 AM it was drizzling, by about 9 AM it was rain, which continued for the entire marathon. Two-thirds of the marathon was on a dirt trail/road, which soon become slippery mud. This was one of my first marathons where I got colder and colder as the marathon went on.

Blankets were given out at the finish line, thank goodness!  

We were soaked and cold by the time we crossed the finish line and the blanket was perfect finish swag. We grabbed some food and our can of free beer and returned to our hotel for hot showers as soon as we could. Horrible was the word that came immediately to our minds to best describe the experience, all because of the weather.  But that "horrible" experience did NOT keep us down...




After we warmed up, we enjoyed our free beer in the room and then snacks down at TGI Fridays, which was conveniently attached to the hotel.  Then is was time for NAPS!

Marathon celebration dinner that night was at the Wicked Weed Brewing.

"King Henry VIII declared hops 'A wicked and pernicious weed' destined to ruin beer. Independent brewers were driven by their rebel integrity to defy the king, embrace the hop and create beer for the untamed palate. Today, rebel integrity drives our defiant beer." 

Wicked Weed Brewing Mural

Monday:
Flew home.

44 - Walt Disney World Marathon, Inaugural Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida

The Disney Marathon would have been my last choice for my Florida marathon...but Earl, one of my running friends from Pennsylvania, highly recommended this marathon and guaranteed that it would be a fun one to run. SO, I decided to follow his advice, and I'm glad I did!

Not only was I able to run the marathon, but it was also the Inaugural Dopey Challenge. For the Dopey Challenge, you run a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon, one per morning on consective days, for a total of 48.6 miles over four days.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Six medals in four days: left to right, 5K Pluto, 10K Minnie, half marathon Donald, full marathon Mickey, AND a Goofy medal for the half-full combo AND the brand new offical Dopey Challenge medal.

Day 1 - Thursday, January 9, 2014
 Disney Family Fun Run 5K
The starting line was between the Amaze and Imagine sections of the Epcot Parking lot. We ran around backstage and then under Test Track, circled World Showcase lagoon, then continued through Future Wold and finished in the Epcot Parking lot.

Day 2 - Friday, January 10, 2014  Inaugural Walt Disney World 10K

The starting line was the same as the 5K, but the first few miles were different. We headed out the Toll Plaza for two miles on Epcot Boulevard, the guest entrance road to Epcot.  Then we circled World Showcase to the International Gateway hotel resort entrance, circled Crescent Lake, went backstage of Soarin', continued through Future World, and finished at the Epcot Parking lot.

Day 3 - Saturday, January 11, 2014  

Walt Disney World Half Marathon

There were wave starts for the half and full marathon. This helps to reduce crowding and people of similar paces get to run together.  The fastest runners were in the first wave.  There were 16 different waves, which meant there were 16 separate starts, each with a blast of fireworks, like the one below!

The half marathon headed direct to the Magic Kingdom, through the Toll Plaza on World Drive.  The course then entered the Magic Kingdom through a service access road north of the bus loops, then it went up Main Street and zig-zagged through most of the lands of the Magic Kingdom.  The course then continued on Seven Seas, along the Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts before returing to Epcot on World Drive to the finish line.

Day 4 - Sunday, January 12, 2014
Walt Disney World Marathon

The first eight miles or so of the full marathon course were identical to that of the half marathon. The course changed when the marathon entered the Walt Disney World Speedway for a lap on the tri-oval loop.  Much of the loop was lined with classic muscle cars and show cars that were invited to come cheer on the marathoners.  

Then, the marathon continued down a service road and entered Animal Kingdom through its north service entrance; it then continued into Animal Kingdom's normal guest areas and circled past Expedition Everest.  The course went backstage again, past the show building for the Dinosaur attraction. Then we continued to Osceola Parkway, where Haunted Manion grave diggers were "cheering" us to our final resting place at the finish line.  Next we continued to ESPN Wide World of Sports for a lap on the 400 meter track and a lap of the baseline of Champion Stadium.  Then we continued through Hollywood Studios, then through the Epcot resort area, the the International Gateway, and a lap around World Showcase. The last half mile was through Future World.
The following slideshow is from the running events:

For my first four nights in Orlando, I stayed at the Caribbean Beach Hotel, one of the Disney hotels. On Sunday afternoon after the marathon, Nancy and Karin (childhood friends from New Jersey) came down to Disney for a "Princess" vacation.  We spent the next four nights at the Beach Club Resort, which is also a Disney property and explored as much as Disney as we could.

The following slideshow is highlights from our "Princess" vacation: