As I approached age 50, I began to have a minor mid-life crisis and I set a goal for myself a couple years ago: at age 50 I would run 5 marathons (26.2 miles) in under 5 hours each. Well... I just turned 50... so this is the year. A perfectly reachable goal, since I have already run 3 of my 4 marathons under 5 hours - 2 in 2004 and 1 in 2006. But now - 5 in one year! The first one was the Bi-Lo Marathon in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This being our first trip to the Carolinas, I expected more warmth, but the race began at 0630 with 26 degrees. Nice clear day - along with the flat, sea-level course and cool temps, made for a nice run.
#1 Myrtle Beach, NC: 4:35:411 of 1765 finishers
My second for the year was supposed to be the Lincoln Marathon in May, but I didn't go due to severe thunderstorms all night before, dumping over 5 inches of rain on us, resulting in a wet basement which needed attention instead.
So, my actual second race was the Omaha Marathon on Sep 23 and finished in 4:54:39. There were only 390 finishers. It was a fairly small race and I can see why. It was bad! It was hot and hilly. Omaha had a low of 68 and high of 91 degrees today. The first 11 miles were very hilly, including the route through the zoo, which was actually the most scenic part of the whole day. The majority of the last half of the race took us through the not-so-scenic areas of North Omaha, where the gangstas, luckily, were still asleep at that time of day, and the dilapidated warehouse district. The smoke from burning debris at an old junkyard was a nice added touch. Aid stations were plentiful and traffic control was generally very good, although the couple miles through Carter Lake was rather sparse of police.
#2 Omaha, NE: 4:54:39
At the beginning of Race #3, the Des Moines Marathon, Oct 27, 2007. Getting my tunes adjusted. 58 degrees at the 8am start - reaching about 70 at finish time. First half was a little hilly and though some neighborhoods. Last half was flat and through the lakes and parks area. Nice route. Blisters on left big toe and second toe, but otherwise unscathed.
I am SOOO hungry at the end. Finish in 4:53:20.
1428 finishers
Race #4 is the Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas, NV, Dec 2, 2007. A cool 39 degrees at the start at 06:07am.
Taken a few minutes past the starting gun, I'm still not to the Starting Line yet - just shuffling along with the crowd.
Finally running, I pull off for a second to see who's behind me. Good! At least I'm not last!
The Blue Man Group was one of the many entertainers along the way.
As were the mini Blues Brothers.
It reached about 50 degrees at finish time. A flat course on a nice cool, sunny day with no wind. Finish in 4:51:04.
1 of 4289 finishers
The 5th marathon eluded me, as much as I avoided it. Four seemed to be good enough, especially since my 51st birthday was quickly approaching. My goal for next year: 51 naps while my toenails grow back.
So, my actual second race was the Omaha Marathon on Sep 23 and finished in 4:54:39. There were only 390 finishers. It was a fairly small race and I can see why. It was bad! It was hot and hilly. Omaha had a low of 68 and high of 91 degrees today. The first 11 miles were very hilly, including the route through the zoo, which was actually the most scenic part of the whole day. The majority of the last half of the race took us through the not-so-scenic areas of North Omaha, where the gangstas, luckily, were still asleep at that time of day, and the dilapidated warehouse district. The smoke from burning debris at an old junkyard was a nice added touch. Aid stations were plentiful and traffic control was generally very good, although the couple miles through Carter Lake was rather sparse of police.
#2 Omaha, NE: 4:54:39
At the beginning of Race #3, the Des Moines Marathon, Oct 27, 2007. Getting my tunes adjusted. 58 degrees at the 8am start - reaching about 70 at finish time. First half was a little hilly and though some neighborhoods. Last half was flat and through the lakes and parks area. Nice route. Blisters on left big toe and second toe, but otherwise unscathed.
I am SOOO hungry at the end. Finish in 4:53:20.1428 finishers
Race #4 is the Las Vegas Marathon, Las Vegas, NV, Dec 2, 2007. A cool 39 degrees at the start at 06:07am.
Taken a few minutes past the starting gun, I'm still not to the Starting Line yet - just shuffling along with the crowd.
Finally running, I pull off for a second to see who's behind me. Good! At least I'm not last!
The Blue Man Group was one of the many entertainers along the way.
As were the mini Blues Brothers.
It reached about 50 degrees at finish time. A flat course on a nice cool, sunny day with no wind. Finish in 4:51:04.
1 of 4289 finishersThe 5th marathon eluded me, as much as I avoided it. Four seemed to be good enough, especially since my 51st birthday was quickly approaching. My goal for next year: 51 naps while my toenails grow back.
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