Arizona (and beyond) Adventure: Lost Dutchman 1/2 Marathon

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I ran the Lost Dutchman 1/2 Marathon in Apache Junction, Arizona. Apache Jct. is essentially a suburb of Phoenix. It is located to the east of Phoenix in the shadow of the beautiful Superstition Mountains.

Race day began at 0545. Dana and I were staying with Mike and Darlene at their vacation home at Mesa Regal RV Resort in Mesa, Az. Similar to Apache Junction, Mesa is an incorporated city, but also considered to be a suburb of Phoenix. We drove up to Mesa from Tucson on Friday. More on that later.

After a quick bowl of oatmeal Dana and I headed for the race start area in Apache Jct, a short 25 minute drive. Soon I was in the starting area along with the other 1,100 athletes. At 0730, after the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner," the gun went off and the race was on. Racing in dry, sunny and warm condition seemed so odd given my past several races. The only thing I had to contend with was running into the sun. The 21 kilometre race is an "out and back" course. On the way out I was happy that it was slightly downhill. Of course that meant that the return leg would be slightly uphill, a thought I tried to keep out of my mind as long as possible.

I went out in 54 minutes. I was feeling okay. I made the turn only to discover that in addition to the uphill return, the wind had picked up and I would have to run into that for most of the return. One of the hills began at the 13 km mark and went on for about 4 kms. I have to admit that by the time I got to the top I was running low on gas. Another gel and I was feeling better. I ran the last 3 kms at sub 5 minute kms so I felt pretty good about that. I admit that when I saw the finish area I thought, "Thank God!", and also I was hoping not to puke at the finish area....

I am pretty pleased with my results. I finished with a time of 1 hour 51 minutes. I finished 7th out of 44 in my age group, and overall 169th out of 1,100 athletes.

One of the neat things about this event is that there were 5 events, all with start times that brought finishers together. I was finishing with some 8k cross country racers and 10k road racers. A few minutes after I finished the announcer told the crowd that the first marathoner was entering the finish area.

I have included a few pictures from race day. The pics were taken by my agent, publicist, trainer, coach, chauffeur, nutritionist, massage therapist and Valentine Sweetheart, Dana, who is always there to get me to the start line and pick me up at the finish line. Thank you, thank you, thank you, sweetie Dana!!!!!!