Polar Bear Marathon

Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.  Coldest marathon ever!  -2F and lower with wind that blew nonstop at 40 knots and more. I was bundled up from head to toe with my hat and a borrowed hat pulled down to my upper eyelashes, plus neck gaiter and face mask pulled up to my lower eyelashes. I couldn't wear my glasses because they fogged up immediately. 

There were 18 runners total but only 6 ran the full marathon.  We had to run in groups of two, and each couple had a support vehicle for protection.  My friend Vickie from Arkansas was my partner.  She was a faster runner, and I still feel bad that I made it more difficult for her.  I could only run as fast as I was able.  The strong wind actually blew me right off the road a few times.  Our vehicle was there to give us water and a little food, but it was nearly impossible to eat or drink in the conditions and through all of the protective clothing. I only had three drinks of water and a handful of soft candy that I was carrying.

As usual I came in last. But only about a minute after Vickie, because she was forced to run at my slow pace.  But we made it.  Many times along the way I felt that we should stop.  But knowing it was not impossible, I kept on in spite of the cold.  Final time was 7:39

I have several areas of frostbite on my face right below my eyes. Only an area below my left eye actually blistered. But none of it is serious and won't leave a scar.

Was it worth it YES!  It was tough and a challenge.  I wear my frostbite with pride!

Me in the black coat with no face!

On Skis

Winter is more or less officially here now.  So many of my workouts will be on skis.  I went to the Government Peak Trails today with Diane, my friend from Anchorage.  We found some of the best skiing conditions I have ever seen.  What a fabulous place to ski.  It was kind of gloomy and gray out with a bit of wind.  But it was also right around 30 degrees, a nice temperature for being outside.

It was a good warm up exercise for next week's Polar Bear Marathon in Churchill, Manitoba.

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

Indianapolis Monumental Marathon was a wonderful race for me.  I was seriously worried that I wouldn't make the 6:30 time limit because I have been so slow the last couple of years.  But when I did 6:07 last weekend, in San Jose, I felt there might be hope after all.  I made it a quick trip to Indianapolis, with only the gear check bag from a previous marathon as my luggage.  Just tossed in my running clothes and my little Ziploc bag of toiletries and put my change of clothes in it for the gear check at this one.  I didn't want to stay over another night, so simply called Uber at the finish line and went straight to the airport and home.

It was a chilly morning at 35 degrees and I wondered if I would be too cold. But I did wear some lightweight leggings and a long sleeve T shirt plus my windbreaker.  It turned out to be the perfect combination.  I've had a goal of beating 6 hours, for a long time. I finally reached that goal today with a finish time of 5:57:17.  I didn't beat my goal by much, but I was quite thrilled.  Now I hope to one day reach 5:30 again.

Indiana was my 45th state and marathon number 119.  I hope to complete the states in 2019.

ZombieRunner Marathon

ZombieRunner Marathon, San Jose, California.

What a fabulous marathon!  The weather was beautiful, warm and sunny with just the right amount of cooling breezes.  It was a little hilly but no steep or long hills.  Only 31 runners finished the full marathon.  As is quite typical, I was dead last. But, I still won a medal for first in my age group. 

People were encouraged to wear costumes for Halloween.  So I dressed in my Hello Kitty outfit. I enjoyed being a little silly.  My awesome step family was out there to cheer me at the start and the finish too. Their signs were hilarious.  I was wondering if I could improve my time enough to feel comfortable running in Indianapolis next weekend.  The Indianapolis race has a 6:30 time limit.  In Wisconsin two weeks ago I took 6:57.  But today I surprised myself with a time of 6:07!  I improved by 50 minutes!  This race was warmer with more hills, so I feel encouraged about next week.

My Cheering Section

Rainbow Ridge

Not really a run, but a rather steep hike on Rainbow Ridge along Turnagain Arm. I was already tired from the Ski Patrol refresher yesterday and the CPR class this morning.  The classes were not so tiring but the early morning drives to Anchorage were.  This morning it poured rain the whole way.

But the weather was beautiful for my little climb with Diane and her dog Tobi.  It was very windy, but a nice temperature. I loved the views of the inlet from the viewpoint at the highest point of the trail.

5 Miles on Wolverine Road

I've been working non stop since I got home from Deadhorse, cutting the 50 trees that I had cut down in August.  I've really missed running so decided that no matter what, I was starting my day with a run.  It was a beautiful day for it too.  37 degrees, calm, and sunny.  I even enjoyed the many hills!  Then back to cutting branches with my chainsaw, then dragging hundreds of them to the spot where I hope to burn them tomorrow.  My next marathon is a week from Sunday.  So I don't want to totally neglect running in favor of cleaning up the forest.

Gandy Dancer Marathon

A beautiful marathon in Luck Wisconsin.  I felt great the whole time. I ran the whole time, never had to slow down and run.  But was still way too slow.  I was exhausted from flying all night, grabbing my race bib, then up at 5 am to run.  But much too slow.  There were 5 runners behind me, but I was still too slow for my own satisfaction.  I was first in my age class but there was only one other in my group. It was 30 degrees at the start but I knew how to dress for that after running all month in Deadhorse in the same temperature. I'm hoping that the previous 10 days of chainsawing, dragging and burning brush and logs were part of what was making me slow.  But I'm going to just assume I need to train better.  This race gives me Wisconsin so now I only need 6 more states to complete all 50.