Dont let the name fool you, "Mainly Marathons" is a welcoming group of runners and walkers of every distance! Their series events across the country include distances from 5k to 50k in which you can participate in one or all of the races in each series which cover several states. The coolest part besides feeling so welcome no matter what your speed?...the bling!
If you have been following me through the years, you know I've had a setback on completing these 50 states breaking my ankle, then other foot, then covid happened and shut the world of races down. I started this goal back in 2011 and was set for a 10year mission. With all that has happened, it has been beyond time for me to wrap this up! As races started becoming popular again this year, I scrambled to grab my last 9 states! And the stars aligned perfectly as I was able to plan then all, including ones I had been following for years! Minnesota was a one off, not sure what to run but that is when I came across Mainly Marathons and it fit perfectly for my summer race!
The series was called Heartland and the medal was a deer. Absolute perfection as my Dad who passed away a couple years ago was originally from Minnesota and we had spread his ashes up there at his deer hunting stand.
The race was number seven of the series so most of the participates had been running/walking all week in the surrounding states. It was held on a Friday in central Minnesota near St Cloud in a park called Quarry Park. This is where granite mining used to take place. The quarries are now filled with water and two are swimmable. One being over 100ft deep making it quite refreshing on a hot Summer day!
I showed up with my brand new orthotics. Yes, I know, not smart, but I didn't have much of a choice. I had just been diagnosed with neuroma less than a month ago. I was given a cortisone shot but also went with custom orthotics as well to help slow the progression. As the miles added up, I could tell a blister was forming on my arch. By mile 6, I decided it would be better to run without it, so I took it out.
Also early in the race, I could tell something wasn't right with my stomach. Every runner knows you only have a good race if you get a good 'go' out before starting. For whatever reason, it never happened for me that morning. I stopped at that bathroom 3 times thinking something would happen and it never did. Unfortunately, the stomach cramps remained most of the race. Thankfully the entire course was in shade (except for a moving bridge). The heat started to rise quickly, and I was getting worn down.
The insanity of doing the repeated course, lapping the same people over and over really started to play a toll on me mentally. Most people were friendly and tried to still make you smile or wave/nod as passing by. But I really had a breakdown around M10 realizing these people had been running all week, most of them even older than me (was announced average age was 50), and they were still having fun, looking strong, and doing it! I felt weak, embarrassed just doing 1 race, out of shape, and the tears and panic came. It is still a struggle for me to not compare myself now to how I was before I broke my ankle. But then I gave myself a pep talk and turned my perspective around. I shouldn't be jealous of these people stronger than me even though they are older than me. They should be my Motivation! No, I am not as strong of a runner as I used to be, but that doesn't mean I gave up and quit. It doesn't mean that I won't be fast(er) again someday. And even if I never get as fast as I was, just the ability to run/walk long distance is something that a lot of people can't even do! And here I am doing it for the 99th time! Having to be in a wheelchair twice, I know firsthand! This race was actually amazing. So many levels of runners all together, supporting each other, and supporting a healthy lifestyle, because we can!
The course was going to be a little long, so I made my own loops to make my 13.1 finish at the swimmable quarry and jumped straight in to celebrate! State 45/Half Marathon 99 complete! If only ever race could get with a jump in a nice cold piece of water!
The smorgasbord of goodies was still available at the finish line but knowing runners were still out there running longer distances, it was hard to take much. Hot dogs were served though which definitely hit the spot before the long drive back to the farm!
I'd still like to come back to Minnesota to run again if my feet allow it in the future...Duluth and Ely are just a couple. I also am keeping Mainly Marathon's in my back pocket for future short distances if my feet do not allow much in the future. ...maybe a 5k in each of the 50 states will be my next goal....
13.1-2:56
State 45
Half Marathon 99
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