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.