Flying into Rapid City, I took the opportunity to add in Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park before heading to Deadwood for the race. If you have never been to SD, this would be the route I would highly recommend if you are planning this race! And of course, there is never enough time! I would have loved to have stayed longer to see the SD Badlands and do some hiking in Spearfish.
Mt Rushmore has a night program which I opted for as I was enjoying the Under Canvas property so much during the day. Driving over to the park, I found out you drive right by the heads without even entering the park! I arrived right after sunset (fyi, the sun sets behind the heads, so not the best picture opportunity). so I still got to see the heads up close in daylight and then in pitch black all lit up. They do a pretty good history lesson video before the lighting and have veterans come on stage after.
After enjoying a restful morning at Under Canvas, I sadly left but had a full day ahead. I decided to take the long route and drive thru Custer State Park Needles Highway before heading north to Deadwood. This very narrow but scenic road leaves you a little white knuckling (especially driving an SUV for the 2nd time in my life) but man was it beautiful! It reminded me of Bryce Canyon but grey not red. There were lots of pull offs to stop and take pictures. No time to take hike this time but the drive alone was worth it.
Next up was Crazy Horse Monument. This was actually more impressive than i thought. After i arrived i found out they had a walk/hike event that day all the way to the top. If i knew about it sooner, i probably would have participated! On regular days they have a shuttle that takes u to the top, but not during this event. Just seeing it from the bottom and visiting the museum was enough for me being the day before the race!
After I left the park, a hail storm came just in time for me to pull over and have lunch at a winery with a brewery next door! I made sure to arrive Deadwood in time for the Expo and spaghetti dinner at the Lodge of Deadwood, and pre party at the Celebrity hotel in town.
I was disappointed the 'Expo' only included 2 vendors. One being a race I was already signed up for! (Nebraska Monument) No shopping here. They barely even had Gu to buy (1 flavor). I was also disappointed the spaghetti dinner was a little awkward being right smack in the middle of the packet pick up. For $15 you were only allowed 1 plate of basic salad and plain spaghetti and a glass of water or coffee. I ate and moved over to the historic downtown Celebrity hotel rooftop who sponsored the 'pre party.' Free beer and music on their small rooftop overlooking the strip. Historic Deadwood is lined with casino after casino (or i guess saloons) and some small gift shops. They have a town square with a stage where the race after party would be held. I had my drink and decided I would explore after the race. It was time to rest my feet in the hot tub back at the Airbnb. I ended up staying at the local Terry Peak ski resort only 15min away.
Severe storms were on and off all day with lightning and hail and they lingered all the way to race time. Thankfully it ended up being just perfect weather for me. About 50 degrees, overcast, and 2 quick rain showers that passed thru.
Being a point to point race, everyone had to be shuttled to both the half and full marathon starts. Parking and shuttles were seamless. Arriving at the start, there were plenty of porta potties and a bag check and then you started on your own whenever you wanted. No mass start as they were still trying to space out the runners.
If you followed my Washington race last month, you know Ive been having foot issues, which ended up being diagnosed as a neuroma (nerve damage which causes sharp pain in the ball of your foot and into toes). The doctor gave me a cortisone shot but I was still having feeling leading up to race day. With all the exploring I did the two days before, I tried to keep icing my foot, and hot tub massaging it. I had not run once since Washington as i was trying to heal (although neuroma is irreversible) so I was extremely nervous walking up to the Start line. I took Advil and CBD hoping to limit inflammation for the 13 miles. I had bought new shoe inserts, toe socks, and toe brace. I said a quick prayer to my breast cancer angel friends and went on my way. I was hoping the mostly downhill on the soft gravel would help as well.
Aid stations had water and gatorade and some candies and bananas, but no Gu. There were just a handful of spectators along the different parking areas that access Mickelson trail but they were much appreciated. The course was mostly you and nature. The trail wasnt too narrow but it was still a trail so you were always passing or being passed by runners.
It was still wet out from yesterdays storms but the trail was mostly gravel so it was not slick until mid way on the steepest decline of the course it was pure mud. I panicked and stopped dead in my tracks. I didnt even know if i could walk down it. I really considered sliding down on my butt! I had flashbacks of slipping and breaking my ankle. I almost started crying. I took my time on that snowy trail the day i broke my ankle and i still fell no matter how careful i was. How does one get over that thought every time there is a similar situation? I didnt have a choice. How would i even get off the trail if i quit now? I wish i had my walking sticks. I sucked it up, prayed once more, and made my way. I walked in every piece of grass i could find. It was a good stretch that was extremely muddy in that mile but it finally was done.
There was a group of runners wearing a shirt that said 'my best day ever.' Which it really was for me after being so concerned about my foot and surprisingly there wasnt any pain. Each mile i kept thinking, ok, next mile it will start hurting. And each mile came and went but nothing. I also ran for a while behind a girl that must have been afraid of heights because every time we crossed the several wood bridges, she covered the side of her face to hide her peripheral. I smiled as I witnessed someone so strong not let her fears take control of her goals. Being half marathon 98 and state 44 for me, and all that I have been through with my broken ankle, foot, and now neuroma, but still not giving up on this 50 state goal, I smiled. Her tunnel vision is like my journey. Its been a hell of a ride but all you need is focus to make it through.
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We finished within Deadwood but still needed to take a shuttle back to the parking lot. The Finish line had chocolate milk (always my favorite recovery drink), beef jerkey (my new favorite post run snack) as well as fruit and bars. Unfortunately no celebratory beer. The post race party at the Main Square wasnt to start until 2p. But they did have a massage tent which i headed straight to! After waiting a while for my turn, i learned they were actually charging per minute! Never seen that before at a race, but I wasnt leaving without!
After a hot tub recovery back at the Airbnb, I headed back to town for the post race party. Thankfully i showed up just in time before they ran out of beer. They had a live band at the main square for the celebration.
Mickelson Half Marathon-would I recommend? Yes! If not for the course itself being an easy downhill among beautiful country mountains, but for the effort that this director puts into this race to make this a weekend experience for every runner! Small town, big views! South Dakota was two thumbs up!
13.1-2:49
State 44
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