This race maybe more than any other had me so grateful - with COVID hanging on for a full year and the world still upside down, being able to race was very much a luxury that didn't go unnoticed. Cross this start line feeling crazy grateful.

There was a good layer of fog near the ground, so the first 5 miles were very wet. My hair was immediately dripping and damp, and the sweat started flowing early. This was a "carry your own everything" race with minimal, no-contact aid stations. I'd purchased a (used) Orange Mud double barrel system and it worked out pretty well, all though I didn't drink nearly as much as I should have. I saw tri club buddy Andrew early in the first loop, then saw Brenda and Todd at the mile 6 turnaround! Felt great so far.

Finishing up the first loop you had to climb a crazy steep bank, basically up into a service road above the Speedway, then back down and head for loop 2. Getting warmer here and slowing down as anticipated - but still chugging along. After the halfway point I reached for my tiny ziplock of ibuprofen to realize it had fallen out at some point. So when I saw my sister again at mile 16 I asked if she had anything - she ran to the car and produced 2 Tylenol - yeahhh!

Longer walk breaks after this point in time, getting warmer out. At some point I chatted with a guy who was running his 68th marathon today, whoa. I wasn't hungry at all, which was sort of odd. But still moving and feeling OK so just kept going. Hit mile 20 and thought I would pep up, but my left IT band/hip was shouting at me and the balls of my feet were forming blisters. My shoes suddenly felt very "thin." The last out and back was very slow and very lonely. The later start half marathoners had peeled off to finish, and I could only see 1 or 2 people around me. Finally, for the third time, I came to a fork in the road and was able to turn in towards the Speedway.

Once I got onto the Speedway I had two laps to do, 1.5 miles each. It was a weird sensation though, as you could see the finish line the whole time, but it was like slow motion running 3 of the hardest miles at the same time. The track was nice and flat, but the wind had been building all day and was awful for half of it. I resorted to running for 100 steps before walking and did that the whole time on the track. I saw Brenda and Todd in the stands both times I came around, and then finally I got to head towards the finish line. Happy birthday to me :)

Nutrition: Like I said I wasn't hungry at all, which is rare. Pre-race I was really looking forward to a thicccc gluten free biscuit/egg/cheese sandwich from my favorite gluten free bakery, but when I went to eat it I could barely get half of it down. During the race I only had 2 Gu Rocktanes and 1 Honey Stinger Waffle. Had to CHOKE down the waffle and concentrate on chewing it small enough that I had no choice but to swallow the pieces. Stomach never growled or even threatened to growl so not sure what the deal was.

Nothing. This was a good race based on my abilities. Maybe memorize the very odd race course a bit more. There were so many loops and half loops and forks in the road, the volunteers were just asking "what mile are you in?" before telling you which way to go because it was NOT clear. Reading on social media comments a number of runners were sent the wrong way by a volunteer who was confused himself - eek. I made a point to say my mileage at every fork in the road and get confirmation from the most official looking volunteer.

Had to walk up the entire stadium stairs to get out! Found a close by Wendy's and we all went there for al little snack before heading our separate ways.

I just cannot explain how much it meant that my family surprised me and showed up, driving 4 hours each way and knowing how boring spectating is. It makes me feel so special and so lucky to have the family I do.


Probably nutrition.


Not the typical race or course due to COVID, but really well done all things considered.