2018 (37th) Twin Cities Marathon Race Report

Known as the ‘Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America’ as it goes point-to-point from downtown Minneapolis to the state capitol in St. Paul, MN, it lived up to its reputation. I did not realize the amount of community/crowd support though, and that is what I will remember about this event. Weather was just about perfect - ~44° at the start, only rising a few degrees, and clouds all day. 2 friends from South Carolina came up to run it with me and we got the start in time to hit the port-a-johns and drop off our drop bags (longer lines for those actually!). 

Expo photo op

I got situated in Corral 2 and they started us off about 8:07am. It was quite crowded to start, then it narrowed a little and I was able to actually walk a few times to keep up. Finally we spread out and I settled into a comfortable pace. Having missed mile marker 1 (and not knowing what they looked like), just continued on that pace.

pre-race

Legs felt fine-more fresh than not. Guess taper worked as I had ramped down after three 19.6 mile runs in 5 weeks to 16.5 and 7.2. I traveled to Massachusetts the week before the race, so only ran 2 on Wednesday and 4 after I returned on Friday morning.

By mile 2, I had removed my buff (kept hat on) and thin gloves - both going into my jacket pocket, then my light jacket got tied around my waist, and left me running in my favorite Harbison 50k shirt (One guy actually called it out during the race!), compression shorts under my Brooks shorts, fitsok socks, and CEF calf sleeves. My newer (~27miles on them) Asics 2000-5 were broken in just enough. I was comfortable the whole way.

Hit 5k in 28:16 (9:06 pace) so was right where I wanted to be (right at 9:00 was my goal-pace to see how long I could maintain that).

I came across one of my SC friends (the other was way ahead as expected) soon after that – just happened to see her directly in front of me! We spoke for a minute, then I guess I just continued on. I looked around quite a bit and enjoyed the scenery as we made our way to the lakes: Lake of the Isles at mile 3, Bde Maka Ska at mile 5, and Lake Harriet at mile 7. Saw some school friends cheering around Lake Harriet, so that was a very nice surprise. Had come thru 10k in 56:00, so sped up a bit that second 5k and was closer to my 9:00 goal pace.

Stopped to refill my water bottle with lemon-lime Gatorade near here too…took about 5+ cups to fill it up as I walked through the aid area. Course was pretty constantly turning left and right, and I always took the tangents. Course was plenty wide enough so there was room to move around.

I was taking a split every mile marker (missed a few early ones) and they were inconsistent the first 8 miles (8:55,8:51,9:15,8:34,7:56). Had taken my vanilla Gu at 45min and took an s-Cap! somewhere after mile 8. My pace evened out from then on and I just plugged away.

Crowds were really incredible! I hadn’t thought about it, but people were everywhere. People out on their lawns having parties, lining the streets practically the whole way. Many people on bikes (rollerblades, etc) following their people. I stayed occupied looking at the signs (‘You run better than the government’, ‘Your pace or mine’, ‘531 miles to Wall Drug’, ‘Tap to Power up’, to name a few). They were so encouraging and I gave many little kids high 5’s that each gave me a boost.

Miles 9-16: pace was somewhat steady: 8:55, 9:05, 8:48, 8:53, 9:04, 9:01, 8:44, 9:02. There were a few slight inclines and gentle downhills, but nothing worth noting – head down and plod along; It did make for a good change of pace. Looking at the elevation chart, it was overall downhill thru here (a net drop of ~100ft). Had another Gu at about mile 10, probably refilled my Gatorade again around (maybe?) mile 13 and hit halfway in 1:57:47 – exactly my goal pace.

Took a Clif Shot (vanilla) at mile 17 (and another s-Cap! and more Gatorade somewhere!) and then started mentally running marker to marker. Wasn’t a struggle, but that’s just where I was – I knew it would at some point be more difficult to manage this pace. We crossed the bridge over the Mississippi into St. Paul and the crowds were still going strong! I forgot to mention the music…aside from stereos blasting tunes (the Macarena, AC/DC, Tom Petty, Runaround Sue, etc), there were people out with their horns (theme from ‘Rocky’, Eye of the Tiger, etc), steel drums, a guy with bagpipes, and more. Then there were the churches and their loud bells tolling as we went past. Loved them all, and what extra motivation they gave. I always make it a point to thank the volunteers, even if I don’t take aid, even those shoveling up the empty cups, and also the policewomen and men. A few others did, but never as many as I expect should.

I knew the road generally rose as we went from 20-23, and none were too steep. My miles from 17-21 were all around 9:15, and finally, at Mile 21, I stopped running and walked some, but for no more than 30 seconds. I had come thru 20 miles in 3:00:37. Assumed at that point that I’d slow down, because I Always have, and 4 hours would not happen (not that I ever really considered it). I took a nature break around mile 22 (I had considered one from the very beginning, and even ran off course to some toilets early in the race but they were occupied, so kept on). Mile 22 was 10:19. Around this time I was also starting to get twinges of a cramp coming on, but they stayed away. I had no physical discomfort at all until my right shoe felt a bit tight at the top of my ankle around Mile 23, but it was not worth stopping for.  Mile 23: 9:42 and overall 3:29:54. Hmm, 3.2 miles in 30 minutes?…if I push, maybe I could break 4? Took a short walk break and pushed on. Started to really focus on the area right ahead of me – the ground, people’s feet, a point in the distance – but every now and then, gave another high five out and got a boost.

Around Mile 24, having been running down Summit Ave for 2 miles already, and having had an eye open for my wife since the halfway point, I finally saw her and my daughter (with another class family)! Ran by and said hello, gave some high 5’s, and pushed. I had decided at mile 24 (9:20 / 3:39:14) I hadn’t had this opportunity in a Long time, and may not again. I was going to go for it. People were cheering, I gave more high 5’s, there were more church bells. Even grabbed a donut hole (cinnamon powder covered, but the powder was not ideal!). Mile 25 in 9:32 / 3:48:47. Kept telling myself that 10 minute miles wouldn’t do it, so maybe it wouldn’t happen, but I had to try.   

Looked for the cathedral, where I knew the downhill began to the finish line. That was my goal. There was another man playing bagpipes, and then the St. Paul Cathedral bells were going off. I rounded the bend at the top and I could see the finish. I had 2:30 to get there to break 4. Thought I could do it (visually, seemed possible), so pushed a little more, hoping cramps would stay away.

Checked my watch one more time with 45 secs left and knew I had it! Started to finally smile. I had only broken 4 hours one time (3:53), Charlotte in Dec 2009 in my 4^th marathon. I was faster then, doing speedwork, but was putting in more miles now, 9 years later and 9 years older.

finishing chute

I finished in 3:59:40 and was absolutely thrilled!!

Walked thru the finishing chute, collected my finisher medal and shirt, grabbed a space blanket, and then chocolate milk and vegetable broth, and for later, protein bar, chips, Gatorade. Got my checked bag and found my wife/daughter and texted with my brother.

Still walking on air as we watched our other friends who had yet to finish (our one SC friend finished in 2:58!). We all did better than expected and had nothing but good things to say about the course and people on the course. It will go down as one of my best races, and one of my favorite (maybe just behind NYC, but it did feel more personal here).

This was my 134^th race, 13^th Marathon (12^th in 10 years), and 37^th marathon/ultra distance (36^th in 10 years). Still on pace for 50 marathons/ultras before I’m 50.

Stats:

 (Very happy with the 'Passed' stats, and this was my fastest last 10k and 2nd half of my marathons)

2018 Afton 50k Trail Race (25th Annual!)

25^th Afton 50k

Went in to this event feeling ok about my training, if not a little lacking some longer runs. I was worried about a knee issue that had popped up, but I wasn’t sure if it was due to running or not. Turned out – didn’t crop up at all. Must be another case of phantom issues during taper.

Race morning was sunny, not as cool as I’d hoped, and bug-free (for me at least; everyone seemed to be applying enough bug spray to ward them off, so maybe they were around?). Start temp was ~65°, but got up to about 78°, with 80% humidity.

Race started right at 7:30 and we started on a downhill, a flat, then the first uphill that most people walk. Me included! 

I’ve run this course so much, I knew what to expect. I went out comfortably, maybe pushing just a bit. I knew my training times for one loop, as well as my 2015 race splits (training times were a good minute per mile slower this year compared to 2015), and was hoping for about a 6hr finish. First miles are never good, but I didn’t feel ‘weak’ at least. 2^nd hour is usually when I start feeling decent, and that’s about when I settled in, although I did tweak my ankle ~1hr into the race.


Skipped the first 2 aid stations as I wore my UD vest (and water/Gatorade mixture), but did stop at the 3rd AS by the river. So much was going on, that I didn't really see what all they had there. After less than a minute - I was back out on course after 1:02 (and 6.4mi)

I ran the rest of the first loop pretty well...staying just under 10min miles. Ran well thru the campground and down by the river and up the meat grinder. Slowed some that last section after AS5. Made it halfway in 2:47 (still consistently 1min/mi slower than my 2015 race, where I ran the first half in 2:32) and took a few minutes to get my stuff together for loop 2.
The 2nd half started with my inner/lower thighs trying to cramp up. It was on and off for awhile, but I trudged on.
2nd loop is always slower, and I alternated walking and running as the terrain dictated.
Made it to the 3rd AS on the 2nd loop in 1:22 (4:10 total).

(I'm writing this part WAY after the actual race, so have very few details other than my splits...)

I did share a few miles with another guy. He was certainly stronger than me and soon pulled away.

After fighting cramps towards the end, I did finish in 6:15:53!

On the following day, my hips, thighs, and shins were all slightly sore, but was able to do my typical day-after walk. 2 days later I was fine except for the upper part of my left ankle being sore (and there was some bruising there after the race).
2 weeks later I was back to running 14 miles and feeling fine - back to training for the Twin Cities Marathon in early October

2018 (27th) Trail Mix 50k

One week prior to this race, the area received more than a foot of snow. Temps only became warm enough to start melting it within the last few days, so this race was going to be interesting to say the least!

So on Saturday April 21, I drove the 50 minutes to Lake Rebecca Park Preserve for packet pickup and the 8am start. Got my bib (one of the nicer bib designs I’ve gotten), #38, and my shirt (cotton, bright green, also not bad) and sat in my car until just before race time. Dropped off my drop bag that we would pass after each loop. Four 7.75mi loops was a new one for me, having done many double loop events.

(Writing this Well after the race, so I'm sure I'm leaving out some details - but here is what I recall)

Not a bad way to start

Goal the first lap was to finish it before the 2nd wave runners started at 9:30am.

Start Line area

Aid stations were plentiful, at ~1.8mi in a wooded area, ~3.4mi in a clearing, ~6mi in the woods. I skipped the first two, and stopped at the third to re-toe my shoe (too loose and my right arch was tender. (it mostly went away after a few miles).

With the snow/melt - the only part of the course that was dry was the first 1/2 mile and the last .25 mile of each loop. It would get progressively worse as the day went on as each group went off (both team and solo runners for shorter distances, and then each loop we the 50kers were doing). I was basically on my own after mile 6 for the rest of the day.

I finished the first loop in 1:21 and dropped off my jacket - running the rest of the race in my gray Harbison shirt, along with my running vest, black hat, calf sleeves, and running shorts over compression shorts. For shoes I wore my Asics GT1000 4 G-TX (Goretex). I'd only worn them in one other race - the 2018 Harbison race when it was 17° at the start.

I had made it maybe a half mile on loop 2 when the 25k starters began to pass me and destroy the course even more! Nothing significant to note on Loop 2 - Slowed a little bit and ran 1:30 on loop 2 (2:51 total for halfway).

Refilled my bladder and headed out on loop 3. It was almost 50° at this point and the sun was out, reminding me I had not brought sunblock. There were enough open stretches for it to become an issue. Loop 3 was particularly wet and muddy and I was starting to feel my hip flexors early this loop - so I was slowing down on both accounts. My (right) toes were starting to get cold toward the end of the loop. Loop 3 finished in 1:50 (4:42 overall).

Refilled bladder again - I was drinking plenty, and had to pee five times the last loop! 

My lower back was getting sore, I did run and talk with one female during the last loop - only noted because it was just me for the ~20 miles before that. 

I was definitely getting a sunburn, watching the kilometer-signs along the trail as I continued to slow down in the mud. There was one little downhill that I did a somewhat controlled-slide down. Felt decent enough on the last stretch and ended in 6:49:57 (2:07 last lap).

Misc Info:

I finished 47 out of 75 finishers, with 98 starters.

278 ft of gain each loop (1112' total gain)

Photos below!

trail conditions

Covered lake

Starting stretch

A little mud

A little slush

Some mud

Did I mention Mud?

Finisher!

Mud!

2018 Harbison Trail 50k Race Report

8^th Harbison 50k Race Report   Saturday January 7, 20018

The 8^th running of the Harbison 50k was the coldest one yet, with start temps in the mid-to-upper teens. The snow that hit the SC coast stayed away, and the course was in good shape. I came into this event with decent training, at least until 3 weeks before when the frigid temps hit Minnesota (below zero without the wind!). The two weeks before the race I ran a total of twice (under 10mi total). My legs were certainly fresh for the race! The other issue I have been having has to do with shoes…my Hoka Challenger ATRs that I had tried out in August worked well, but was getting up there in mileage (~550). Running 15+ miles in snow with yak trax and then testing out a newer model left me with a sore big left toe. Seems the newer Hokas put a little too much pressure there. I ended up trying out some shoes I had bought last year, mistakenly buying a different model than my usual. So I tried out some Asics 1000 GTX. Even with only 4 runs in them before I traveled south, I decided that was the best option I had. Another weird pain showed up once I got to SC. I am guessing it was from walking to work in my work shoes a couple of days, but the soles of my feet were sore for the 3 days leading up to the race. I was honestly getting nervous. (Soreness ended up disappearing that Friday)

Day before the race was busy as I worked, went to Augusta, GA to visit family, then went to Columbia for packet pickup and stay the night at the race hotel. All was good for the race as I got a ride from a friend from Greenville (Michael) that I hadn’t seen in a few of years – always good to catch up with him. Met our friend Terry and eventually made it to the starting line (after almost forgetting my water bottles in my drop bag).

So Michael and I started off together at an easy pace down the gravel road and into the woods. We stayed together until the 1^st aid station. I didn’t realize people’s water lines were freezing until Michael mentioned it a few miles in. It slipped my mind to tell people to have it underneath one layer of clothing. That is one thing I learned quickly after moving to MN almost 3 years ago.

2 hrs before start at the hotel.

So we hit AS1 in 58min, where I grabbed a few chips and a cookie and walked out while I ate. I’d see Michael on some switchbacks for the rest of the loop, so I knew he was always only a couple of minutes behind. I really expected to see him later on. There were still a few people nearby at this point.

The 2^nd AS had been moved further from where it had been the last 2 years (due to a locked gate). I had planned to run with just one hand-held bottle, but with this change (and having already traveled south without my UD vest), I borrowed a 2^nd handheld from another friend. That made me feel much more comfortable (I drink a good bit when I run).

I ran solo for much of this, only one or two times spending any significant time near people. Passed Terry thru here as she ran the 25k.

It was about an hour to where the previous AS had been, then the ~15 min loop, and another 10 min to where AS2 now was. Still feeling fine. (2:23 overall) A wonderful volunteer filled up a bottle with Gatorade as I grabbed my usual PB&J square, chips, and Oreo and kept moving. I moved ok thru here for a while. My legs were a getting a little tired (and some minor groin soreness), so I walked some of the gentle hills as I eventually caught up to another 25k runner. We had a similar pace for a while, then she unfortunately took a spill while in sight of the finish area. She was fine. Found out later that she wasn’t the only one – Terry had also fallen near there and scraped her face. So I got to the halfway in 2:57. Was slower than last year by 5 minutes. Didn’t need anything in my drop bag, so grabbed some food, had some (too hot) soup, and got back on the trail (just missing Terry and Michael, who were within 3 minutes of me).

2^nd loop started with a walk as I ate, then an alternating walk/run. I was still moving decently, passed a few runners and got passed by a few early on. In my mind, I was a bit slower thru here since I ran practically all of the first section the first time thru. I ended up 17 minutes slower as my right knee started to feel it. It always seems to appear during this race – it has to be because of the winding trail and I have no trails that mimic that – my legs are on the weak side. You’d think I’d learned my lesson after so many races here. Anyway – about 20 miles in after 4:12. (Note – creek prior to the AS was completely dry this year, whereas last year I had to jump and it was still ankle deep).

This section after AS1/4 usually feels endless, but I was prepared this time and moved better on the downhills/flats. Saw fewer and fewer runners. Ran this entire section 14 minutes slower than lap 1 – which was a huge relief as last year there was a 23min slowdown!

I don’t think anyone passed me on the last section. It seemed shorter than the first time thru, which is always a pleasant surprise! I was checking the time and was hopeful to break 6:30. I only knew my 33min section for lap 1 was going to be closer to 40, but I am clueless as to knowing where I am in relation to the finish until I see it.

Ended up just under 6:31 on my watch (6:31:03 by the clock). Someone did come up behind me on the last trail section and told me to bring it in…he tried a sprint past me at the end, and probably technically beat me by a half second, but they gave it to me…didn’t make any difference.

I was very happy to see my wife and daughter at the finish. They support my running and allow me to do my long runs on Sunday morning guilt-free.

So finish #8 here! Race 131 overall. 22^nd ultra and 34^th race of a marathon or longer. 50 (marathon or longer) before age 50 is still possible, but will need to do more than the 2 I ran in 2017.  I have plans anyway…

2017 Chippewa 50k Race Report

Chippewa 50k Trail Race, New Auburn, WI. April 29, 2017.

Felt somewhat confident going into the race as I had some decent training runs at Afton State Park, but I knew they hadn’t been long enough to feel really good about it. I had been unsure of my clothes all week, and still wasn’t sure as I made the 1:45 drive from St. Paul.

Arrived a bit early (just before 7), got my race packet and sat in the car for a while. Everyone milled about inside the Interpretive Center until just before the start, and I met a guy that I see running around Phalen, and lives on the other side of the lake. Funny how it took driving 1:45 to meet a neighbor!

So we started off at 7am, and although shorts were definitely the right answer – wearing a long sleeve technical shirt under my jacket was a mistake. I had both sleeves rolled up and jacket unzipped within 20 minutes. I waited until the 2^nd AS to take my jacket off (I didnlt want to lose my spot in a good-moving group). Also – wearing my buff instead of a hat was also a bad idea. We were running thru the forest, but there were no leaves out and the sun was always above us. Made for a very hot, sweaty day. I was a bit concerned with getting a chill later on in the race with slowing down and who knows what 'issues'...that was my reasoning for what I did choose.

After the initial downhill and thru the parking lot, we entered the trails and I was already in a good group with a consistent pace. I walked up what hills I could and still keep up with the person in front of me. There was a little shuffling of spots, but we kept moving on.

I quickly grabbed some cookies and PB&J at AS1 3.3mi in (32min) and settled back in the group. I had to stop at one point and re-tie my right shoe as my heel was rubbing and getting uncomfortable. It helped just a little.

At the 2^nd AS (6.5mi section, 9.8mi total) after 1:39, I stashed my jacket in my vest, grabbed some more snacks, and left. It was just a few miles later that my left abdomen was getting sore. Very odd – have not really ever had that, but I’d put some pressure on it and kept moving at my normal pace.

Going into the turnaround, I stayed somewhat close behind the guy I met, but did drop back sometimes. Refilled my almost empty bladder (5.75mi section in 1:08, 15.5mi total after 2:48) and grabbed more snacks. Was disappointed they did not have potato chips – only a trail mix.

One of the gentle hills

One of the many bridges

I caught up to Steve thru here, and passed him, expecting to see him again later on. After just about 2 miles, my right inner thigh, starting just above my knee) started to cramp up. It would almost seize up, but thankfully, never did. It was a semi-constant battle for the rest of the race. Whenever I’d kick a little root, my calves or other thigh would want to start up. This all made for slow going the rest of the way, but I was still able to ‘run’ and otherwise had good energy, feet that didn’t hurt for a change, No real lower back issues that often shows up, and was just loving being outdoors.

 Going slow did give an excuse to take photos...

I lucked in to being ~30 yards behind a female runner for many miles going into AS 4 before she pulled ahead. 

one of the more interesting water-crossings. (Almost hesitate to call it a bridge)

I kept moving and was trying to keep an eye on my watch and see if I could keep doing 12-13 minute miles.

Made it to AS4 (Mile 21.3 in 4:00, 1:12 for the 5.75mi section. Only 4 minutes slower than the other direction!)

AS5 at mile 27.8 in 5:29 (1:28 for the 6.5 miles - my slowest section).

Got lucky again after the last aid station. After partially filling my empty bladder – I ended up behind another strong female runner (Micki) the last 5+ miles or so. We’d chat a bit as I’d inch closer, but then fall back behind by 30 yards. She ran a bit more than me as I'd walk all the uphills, but I could make up some distance on the few downhills. I had no intention (or expectation) of catching her, but she sure did pull me along!

I did get a boost about 5 miles from the finish...my wife texted. Basically to let me know our 7pm party was actually starting at 5pm. That put some energy into my running! And of course - the encouragement from her and my daughter. It helped!

I was hopeful of doing the last section in under 45 minutes. We ran and ran and I pushed myself thru here. Coming into the parking lot area and seeing the finish on top of the hill was good, but the uneven grassy section kept me focused. The frequency of my thigh cramps increased too as we got closer. 

Then the last hill.

Just the start of the last hill

My thighs both started seizing up but I breathed thru it and kept going. The first sign said "No Walk Hill". Ha - good one!

After this photo - there was the continuation of the hill and another sign that said 'Don't Quit'. Little chance of that as that is where my car was. And the finish was like, 20 seconds away.

I came in at 6:12:02. 69/174 overall. Pretty typical for me when I am not injured for that distance.

(Being the engineer/numbers guy I am - I calculated my average 50k finish after this race to be 

6:27 (17 events of that distance) and the mean is....6:12!)

Took 5 minutes to get off the ground for this photo

Got a cool personalized print of the artwork - that was a nice surprise! (Thanks again for the photo Micki!)

After I was up, got some soup (good!), finally some potato chips, more water, and some cookies. I felt just fine at that point. 

Didn't linger as it was 2:40pm and I would make it home around 4:30. Just enough time to shower and get dressed for the party.
Waiting for me at home:

My daughter rocks!

95 miles away and not quite 3 hours after my finish

My legs weren't sore at all until the next day, and it lasted about 2-3 days. I woke up feeling 'normal' on Wednesday, but didn't run until Thursday morning. It felt good to catch up on sleep that one extra day! 

now I just need to find my next race...

2017 Harbison 50k Race Report

This was to be my 7^th running of the Harbison 50k (January 7. 2017), and as I am the only one to run the previous 6 – there is some pressure to continue it (but it’s a good thing). After staying in Columbia the night before the race the last two years, I had planned to do that again. The weather made it more interesting as a rain/sleet/snow storm was heading for us. Through my friends in Greenville, I got hooked up to ride down Friday with 2 people (Shannon and Angela) I ‘knew’ by their running I’d seen online. It all worked out great and we had a good drive down and a nice dinner. Picked up a free buff at packet pickup too!

It was a little cool to start, around 34° at 7:30am, but would get colder throughout the day, down to 28°. Not the coldest it had been…I had texted with the RD a few weeks prior to race day, and he commented that we had had every type of weather – rain, sun, cold, hot, mud, everything But snow on race day. I told him I’d see what I could do as I had moved up to St. Paul, MN back in 2015 and although our winter wasn’t bad at all, we did have snow at the time.

So – race started off fine with just a light rain. I settled into my own pace. The course was a bit different from 2016, but running the Stewardship Trail so early in the race still throws me off from those first few years. After 4 miles or so – I started to feel some soreness in my top/front right hip. Not bad, but enough to make me think about it. It also wasn’t long before the rain turned to sleet and then to a light snow! Enough to cover the ground…it was kind of cool and went on for a good 90 minutes of the first loop.

At about 13 miles, my right IT band started to bother me. It seems my IT band acts up more at this race than it should…anyway. Just before the turn toward the start/finish area, I saw Sergio and Shannon and they were looking good! At the gazebo at the halfway point (15.5mi in 2:52), I rolled my legs some, but that helped for maybe half a mile. Kept trudging along, but it was mostly walking. Left IT band started to get sore, and the front/top of my left foot. Once something starts, more things just add to it!

Most of the snow was gone for the 2^nd loop, but it was quite a bit muddier.  

Last AS food/mud

The 2 creek crossings were deeper than I’d ever seen (about shin-deep). My Speedgoat socks and my Montrail Mountain Masochist Outdry shoes made it seem like my feet were not wet at all – that was nice!

I didn’t really run with anyone after the first 10 miles or so – but I never mind that. A good 10+ people passed me the last section or two, but I was always confident I’d finish.

I came into the finish, running, for my 7^th finish in 6:39 (3:47 for the 2^nd half). The RD is always awesome (Thanks David – hope you continue to recover from your car accident)

Was good seeing some of the SC crew again!

After a full day flying back home, in which all the sore spots during the run were still sore, the day after that, I was pretty much fine. I took it easy and just used a rowing machine that week before going out the following Saturday for an easy loop around the lake (mostly clear of snow). Had no issues, and training could continue for the Chippewa 50k in April (I had registered for it in 2016, but had to cancel with injury and lack of training).

Here are my past Harbison Times:

2 ‘good’ years, 3 ‘average’ years, and 2 ‘bad’ years. Hopefully 2018 will be another ‘Good’ one!  

2016 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon

2016 Las Vegas Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Race Report

In early August, I signed up for the 50th Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Las Vegas. With the 'Running the Strip' tagline, and 'at night' - it sounded cool. My first marathon was RnR San Diego in 2001, and I did the first RnR Half that year in Virginia Beach. I had taken off most of the first half of the year from running with a cold Minnesota winter, some knee issues, and I honestly don't remember (8 years later as I write this, and have no weekday notes for months, so I wonder if it was just working alot after our move up here the year before?).

Anyway - once I started ramping up my runs, I decided to do it.

It may sound like an easy decision, but there's a catch. My brother was running the 24 hour World's Toughest Mudder that same weekend (just outside Vegas) for the 3rd straight year, and I was going to crew him yet again. This has involved being awake for most, if not all of the 25.5 hr event, with it ending at 1:30pm, and then going to the race that started at 4:30pm.

So - to recap the WTM event - I crewed my brother Pat, with some support from his oldest son overnight, and he completed 60 miles, which is incredible! 20 obstacles on a 5mi loop, 817' elevation gain per lap (and 2miles of penalty loops if you failed certain obstacles), plus jumping from a 35' cliff into the lake numerous times. He did 12 laps over exactly 24 hours and finished 4/100 in his age group, 125/1235 overall. 

Finisher pic!

I did not sleep overnight as I crewed him, took photos, and kept him updated on times, obstacles and made sure I had everything ready for his time in the pit every lap. I know I put in about 17 miles over that 24 hour period. I had him practically packed up and ready to leave as he finished. Got checked in the hotel on the strip - he crashed, and I headed to my race!

Pre-race concert - Snoop Dogg!

Snoop Dogg on stage

With the race starting at 4:30pm (November 13, 2016) , I had been awake for 36 hours straight already. It was 72° and my feet were already sore from the desert course. I made my way through the Snoop Dogg concert and waited in the throngs on the concrete for the race start.

I wore my gray Harbison 50k shirt under my blue WTM Crew bib, standard black hat and gray shorts, with my one handheld water bottle (and my basic Timex digital watch I always wear).

Other than sore feet, I felt decent and ran comfortably - by the airport, by the "Welcome to Las Vegas' sign (didn't stop for a photo), and by Planet Hollywood near the 5k mark in 30:48. Pat's family was there and saw me although I didn't see them. 

Kept up the 9:20-9:30/mi pace and hit 10k by the wedding chapels in 59:23.

We finally turned off the 'Strip' around mile 7, ran through Fremont Street for a few blocks and back down the strip - going through 10mi in 1:36:16. I hit the halfway in 2:06:25 and wound around near the World Market Center. (There were numerous times we would wind around larger parking lots, or in between buildings - not a very interesting course at times)

I was able to (mostly) keep my pace under 10min/mi through mile 15 (after 2:24:39), and pushed some to do that. Fatigue set in pretty quickly then, and hunger (didn't have my Gu like I thought), and was just Tired, while my feet got more sore.

I ran 10's for 4 miles, had the only real hill as we went under I15, and settled into almost 12 minute miles from 21-23 (I hit 20 in 3:18:04) as we wound around the Festival Grounds near Circus Circus. 

The last bit was on the strip, except for one part where we took a sharp right for an out and back, which was awful, away from the lights and crowds. I recall getting one callout in the last straightaway for the WTM bib.

I hit the finishing chute and ended at 4:32:49! Not nearly my slowest (El Paso), but a very memorable one! (I finally got to sleep after being awake for about 42 hours)

Finisher!

 Recovered well and was back to my normal training after a week!