Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon (Read 547 times)

So once again my adventure to Grandma’s started in January when the registration was starting to open. I have run the past 2 Grandma’s Marathon in the blazing heat and I just knew this was going to be a cool year. I had to make the big decision, did I want to take on the full or was I just going to go with the half. I really wanted to do the full again but there were several factors standing in my way. First was that since Grandma’s 2007 I had lost some of my motivation to go out there and hit the road so my mileage was down. Then there was the fact that my brother was due home from Iraq in April or May and I knew that the training was going to suffer during that time. And finally we were going to move sometime in spring. So the decision was pretty much made for me and I submitted my application into the lottery for the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon. I figured this way I could still participate in Grandma’s weekend but not have to have the pressure of trying to get in a full marathon training. As luck would have it I won the lottery (to bad a person can’t do that when there is money involved)!!!! So I get to Grandma’s weekend not quite at the place I would want to be in my running since yes my brother made it home safely from Iraq the last week in April and then we closed on our house and as fate would have it we moved twice in May. So my goal was to beat 3 hours (PR for a Half is 2:54:00). So the morning of the race I was waiting in line to catch the bus for the start at 5am. We made it to the start and I figured I should just head to the potty right away and a least get the over with for now. Stood around for the next 45minutes and made one more potty stop, dropped my sweat bag, and I was off to the start. I was excited because for 2 years in a row of running the full marathon I was always in the potty when the national anthem was being sung (gotta say you struggle with being patriotic at that point ) but this year I am standing with thousands of my fellow runners for the anthem. I was feeling good!!! Then we were off!! For the first two miles there were so many people that we never really got to spread out. Then at about mile 3 we were all getting into our own groove and spreading out. It was then that I noticed that I had never made it to this part of the course and enjoyed it. In the full I was always not feeling well and not paying attention to the course. I made it all the way back into the city of Duluth and was feeling really good!! Then at about mile 8 I was having some stomach issues which were only being made worse by the fact that there was not a porta-pottie in site. Finally found one at mile 9 and took a pit stop then back on the road. Also at mile 9 I decided that I would walk Lemon Drop Hill (the only real mentionable hill on the course). Then miles 10 and 11 were a mixture of run/walks. Mile 12 I knew there was no stopping me to getting to the finish!!! Then I rounded the corner to head into Canal Park and the finish line and once again to cross that finish line was an awesome experience!!!!! Final Times: Gun Time 2:58:43 Chip Time 2:56:20 The great thing was that I was able to watch the people from the Full come in and enjoy their finish!!! I was feeling good and was actually able to enjoy a beer after the race. It was a great weekend!!! Now the big dilemma for next year has started!!!

you were just a few minutes in front of me! Congratulations! Some volunteer at 11.5 miles made me stop and cut my chip off of me. I almost kicked him in the face I was so mad but I was wearing someone elses bib so I didn't want to get her in trouble. I still had my trusty garmin thank God so I know for a fact I made it a few minutes under the 3:03:40 time limit. I didnt' cross the start line until 6:36am! Next year I hope to finish under 2:50. Are you going to do it again next year? If you do let me know, I'll find ya! I live in Duluth.

Liz I am also curious as to why you had your chip cut off. Great job Jennifer. I am glad you were able to enjoy the course since it is such a great place to run along the lake. Also glad that I am glad your brother made it home safely.