When Nick decided a few months ago to run the Madeline Island Marathon, I had to track down a bib for the half – because running around an island sounded like the best way to kick off the 2018 season. Turns out, it was. And it was also the best (most painful?) way to return to suffering after a really long hiatus (eight months!).
The short of it: no puke-and-rally(!), and why does 13.1 miles always seem like it’s a couple miles too long? I got in my head a little bit near the end of the race – and slowed a couple times to pull myself together (this has to stop) – but overall I’m happy with where my fitness was at (even if it was 20 seconds from a PR!). And the dark corner of your mind – that place isn’t always fun, but it does teach you that you’re capable of more than you think.
A few course notes:
- It’s beautiful – quiet island roads that wind through the woods, and then, boom: there’s Lake Superior.
- It’s hard – long, seemingly never-ending gradual climbs, including some gravel.
- It’s small and awesome – 300 or so runners and the nicest race organizers (we sang happy birthday to their mom during awards…!). We’ll definitely run this again.
official results: 1:34:48, 3rd AG, 4th woman, 9th OA
4 Comments
Those medals are awesome!
Aren’t they neat?! Local races are the BEST.
Sounds like a great way to kick off the racing season – not just in terms of fitness, but also for the experience!
Thanks so much, Kristina! Was a fun day!