Thursday, December 25, 2014

Five Featured HALF Marathons (Friday Five)

I hope you are enjoying the Holidays!
I'm linking up today with the DC Trifecta for Friday Five.
My topic today is Five Featured Half Marathons 2014.  


Callaway Gardens  (01/14)

I've run this several times and it remains a favorite. The course is quite hilly and you are essentially running through the woods.  No cars. No crowd support. No signs.  No hoopla.  No after party.  It's just you, towering pines and beautiful lakes reflecting the sky.  The small ponds were frozen over this year as it was a crisp 28 degrees. This is a small event (I don't understand why!) and I was thrilled to place 2nd in my age group.



Biggest Loser   (02/14)

I had run a Biggest Loser half in Florida and heard they were having one in Alabama. I knew Mobile would be flat and hoped for an easy course.  Sadly, my brother was terminally ill and lost his battle with cancer just before this race.  I went ahead with it as the funeral was not for a few days.  I felt like doing something would be better for me than just sitting around (and crying). I traveled by myself and this race ended up being a wonderful emotional release for me.  It was a perfectly beautiful winter day.  I reminisced, shed my tears, and set a new PR.



Centerpoint  (03/14)

This smaller race always has a HUGE amount of crowd support.  Apparently, they must host a contest for the water stations because they all had really cute themes. There are plenty of people, signs, music, and other distractions on course.   The food afterward is small-town wonderful.  The route itself has a few rolling hills, but nothing really difficult. I set another PR here (my current one).

I'll be back !



Old.  Woman.  Coming.  Through.  Just.  About.  Dead.
Must.  Stop.  Watch.

Revel Rockies  (08/14)

I won this race entry from See Mom Run Far and had no time to prepare.  Even though I had problems running at altitude at the top, it was the best last half of a half I've ever run.  The course is now my absolute favorite, winding down over 1700 feet through the Colorado canyons. I love a good downhill run and this one did not disappoint.  I did have trouble walking for a few days, but it was well worth it.  We ran with a few deer and beside a rushing stream.  The scenery was breathtaking.  I would love to do the full marathon next time.  This was an inaugural race but very well done.  I really enjoyed the band at the after party.

I forgot to remove my calf sleeves.
(It was cold at the top!)

The Remaining 13...

I always say each and every race is memorable in its own way. Sometimes, it's the people you are with.  Sometimes it's the weather - good or bad.  Sometimes it's the race directing.  Sometimes it's just your own body complaining loudly.

First Light was for a wonderful cause.
Scottsboro was in the pouring rain.
Race for Hope produced awful cramps.
Divas was in the sweltering heat.
Talledega was a delightful fun surprise.
Nashville produced debilitating calf cramps.
Route 66 was run with huge blisters.

And, the humidity of way too many this year almost did me in...

There is not one I wish I had skipped.  Although many were deemed Dig Deep Days, I enjoyed them all.

Divas for a Day (utterly soaked in sweat)


Mar on the Run! for hosting the Friday Five.  




What makes a race memorable for you?

33 comments:

  1. Congratulations on all your races and placing 2nd in your age group at one of them. That sounds like a great race. I wonder why it's so small. -L

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    1. Thanks! That race has no sponsors either, which I find a little odd.

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  2. Sounds like a great list of half marathons. Sorry to hear about your brother. Congrats on your PR in Centerpoint! PR'ing makes a race more memorable for me. Happy Holidays!

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    1. Yes a PR does help. I hope to get another one (or two) in 2015!

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  3. I have run several races with my brother in law, and for some reason it rains every time ! Trying to heat up, drinking coffee in the car before the race starts definitely makes it memorable.

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    1. Having someone to share the experience with is an awesome thing!

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  4. Looks like a fabulous year of racing to me! I love the idea of Callaway Gardens, but hills? Not so much. So sorry to hear about your brother. Big, big hugs.

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    1. Thank you. Hills are not my favorite...not the "up" side anyway.

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  5. What a great year of running! The Revel Rockies race sounds amazing, and kudos for honoring your brother in such an amazing way during the Biggest Loser half. I can't wait to see what you'll be up to next year, lady! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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  6. They all sound like great races.All my races are special in different ways. I think the company makes it special such as running with a friend or the scenery or of course, a PR!

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    1. Good friends do help make it a great experience.

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  7. I don't think I could pick a favorite race either! They're all special!

    How many do you plan on running in 2015? And is a full on the horizon?

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    1. I haven't decided what I'm going to do and 2015 will be here in just days! A full is still on the radar for sure!

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  8. I love this list and am going to look into some of them. This year I wanted to work on mastering my half and already have plans to go to SF and Nashville for two of them.

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    1. Nashville was quite hilly but was an awesome weekend. We had a blast.

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  9. Looks like you had a great year with lots of PR's! So sorry to hear about your brother. I hope you had a wonderful holiday!

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  10. aw, that Biggest Loser races sounds like it was a good release for you.Sorry to hear about your loss. I love your stride in all these photos!

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    1. As we all know, running can be very therapeutic!

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  11. I used to live in Utah and running in the canyons is so beautiful! I imagine the Colorado side is just as pretty. Love the list of memorable halfs, its always nice to hear which races are worth looking into for next years calendar :D

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    1. I'd love to run in the canyons of Utah too! Thanks for stopping by.

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  12. New reader here! Such a great list of races. I'm loving your caption ...lol old. woman. coming. through. haha! Your writing is fun. :) I look forward to following you. Happy New year and lots of happy running!

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    1. Thanks for reading! I'll be following you too! Here's to an awesome 2015!

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  13. Great look back on some of your races! The Callaway Gardens and Revel Rockies sound really nice. I have not done many races, but I love running through scenic areas.

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    1. I really like the scenic ones. It makes them more special.

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  14. Great list of races, though so sorry to hear about your brother! I'd feel the same way - that doing something is better than sitting around doing nothing. Seems like racing was a great emotional release for you. Hope you have some great races for 2015 lined up :)

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    1. Thanks. I've haven't scheduled one thing! But, here's to whatever 2015 brings!

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  15. Sorry to read about your brother, I bet that is what he would have wanted you to do. Lots of great halfs for you this year! and lots of great pictures too. I did three halfs and loved them all. It was a comeback year for me.

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    1. Thanks. Yes, it was a lot of halfs. 2015 may be the year of sleep. LOL. Good luck on your upcoming half!

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  16. I started racing without knowing one other person. I've met good friends just going to local 5ks. Now we are all usually there, so it's a lot of fun!

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  17. wow wow wow You kicked major butt this year! Way to go! I'm sure you'll rock 2015 just as hard!

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