Eagle Nest Marathon

Today was day two of the Mainly Marathons Mexico State Park Series this weekend.  Of course I was still quite tired from yesterday's race, but after the first mile or so, I loosened up and felt fine. Since this race is higher altitude, 8200 feel I seemed to feel the altitude more. I was quite a bit slower too.  I even ended up being the last person to finish, but even though they gave me the caboose award, technically I was not the slowest runner.  I found out later that several of the slower runners and walkers got to start 3 hours before me.  It was a bit lonely out there my last couple of loops.

We didn't run around the lake on this one.  Instead we ran along the campground road back and forth to Eagle Nest Lake.  Once again the temperature was perfect.  Just cool enough with the right amount of breeze. 

Eagle Nest Lake



 

The Medals were very cute for these two races.



New Mexico Race Medals

Sugarite Marathon

This is number one of my back to back marathons in the Mainly Marathons New Mexico State Parks Series. I chose to do these two because both are at high altitude.  Sugarite is at 7500 feet and tomorrow's race, Eagle Nest is at 8200 feet.  I will be running the Amazing Maasai Marathon in two weeks in Kenya and that one is at 6000 feet.  So I decided to do these two in addition to spending a week in Colorado to acclimatize to high altitude.

Today's run was really fun, many loops back and forth along beautiful Maloya Lake.

Maloya Lake

I definitely felt the altitude but with no time limit, I just ran it and enjoyed the lovely day.

This race actually started in Colorado so it counts as Colorado for the 50 States Marathon Club even though most of the race was actually in New Mexico.

King Salmon Marathon

I loved this marathons.  The King Salmon Marathon in Cordova, Alaska.
First I drove to Whittier, through the tunnel, parked my car then took the ferry to Cordova. I stayed in the Prince William Hotel which was across the street from the place where we picked up our race packets.  Instead of walking to the start line, we walked to the finish line where we hopped onto a bus that drove everyone 27 miles out the Copper River Highway to the start line.  Then we simply ran back to town along the road.  It turned out to be a perfect day even though the forecast had been for rain.  No rain at all, just perfect temperatures and lots of sunshine, and just the right amount of breeze to keep everyone cool. 

The scenery along the route was spectacular. 

Cordova Marathon View

As usual I was pretty slow and one of the last runners to finish.  But I made it and enjoyed every minute of it.

Missoula Marathon

Had a great time in Montana running the Missoula Marathon and also paying a quick visit to Glacier National Park.  Of course I was pretty slow on the marathon as usual but no problem finishing before the time limit.

The medal is huge!

Missoula Marathon Medal

I loved the drive through Glacier National Park too.  What a spectacular place!

Glacier National Park