When first deciding to do the 50 States Half Marathon Challenge I'd immediately selected The Mayor's Midnight Sun Half Marathon to knock out AK as it was the most publicized AK race, plus being in Anchorage (a relatively "big city" in AK) the flight would be cheaper than other places. For folks who have never been to AK this may be a less ideal selection, but having lived in Sitka, AK for 3+ years I didn't need the Alaska experience - just an official time somewhere in the state and some decent bling. I hadn't expected to knock out all 50 states so quickly, but in January when I realized I possibly could I happen to talking to Denise and she mentioned she and Judy would be doing the Mayor's 1/2 in 2013. They hadn't expected the additional person, but were open to the idea of room sharing to lower the costs. When I mentioned my schedule to Krissy she was interested as well. Four in the room was a little more than we'd expected, but it sounded like fun and helped with the costs so we went for it. I made the reservations (air and hotel) in a flurry of reservations in January that covered my entire race calendar from February through October. I ensured I found a hotel that was walking distance from the start/finish (and/or shuttles) and packet pickup with an airport shuttle, as we didn't expect to need a car. With all plans made, this went to the back of the minds until just over a week before the race.
I didn't expect my flight to have any major changes, so when I'd received an email saying the schedule had changed I didn't think much of it (typically these are 5 or 10 minute shifts). Ten days before travel I opened the email and found it was a little more than I'd expected...about an hour and a half shift to be exact that resulted in nearly two full travel days due to layovers! I'd had flight changes on Delta many times and they were always really good about changing when the problem was due to their schedule changes; while I'd booked this flight through AK airlines it was on Delta flights (partner airline) so I didn't expect any issue getting it resolved. I was proven wrong. The lack of customer service was a little more than expected; and eventually I simply cancelled the flight for a refund and rebooked directly through Delta on a more convenient flight.
The new flight was out of DCA vs. RIC, the airfare was a little more than expected and the parking in DC is also a little more than Richmond; but I figured I'd be smart and park at the metro to offset that cost. (When you're traveling this much to knock out your states you save where you can to allow you to do more on the trips.) When packing I checked the Anchorage weather and realized this would be a jeans/long sleeve trip with a jacket. All packed, travel day arrived and I headed to the metro. I parked in the multi-day spots and headed through the lonely parking garage to the station. The lack of security was a little more than I'd expected. I had thought there'd be people around. There wasn't. More accurately, I'd thought there'd be other travelers/witnesses around, there weren't. There was however someone staying just out of sight and keeping very quiet. I would have thought I was just being a scaried cat, but it wasn't just the sense of someone watching me, I am VERY sensitive to cigarette smoke and someone was nearby smoking the entire walk across the parking garage and up the three flights of stairs. The fact that I'd had to park in the bowels of the parking garage was also a little more than expected but there were few designated multiday spots and that's where they were. When I got to the station, already a little freaked out, I was at first relieved to see another person waiting. As I approached the gates, that relief QUICKLY turned to increased fear when I was close enough to see the person was actually homeless and appeared VERY strung out on drugs. I stood a safe distance from him, positioning myself on the far side of him vs. between him and the mysterious smoker. When he picked up his bags, held his arms out like an airplane, and began swooping and swirling across the pavement in my direction, I began to get a little uncomfortable. When he stopped mere feets from me and began quickly surveying the area, eyes darting from here to there as if checking for witnesses it was a little more than I expected (and a LOT more than I was comfortable with). I stepped away (without turning my back) and pretending to be viewing the display of brochures near the station window. When my eyes zeroed in on a flier with the station times I realized my wait would be more than expected (despite having checked online before planning to park here, I'd somehow messed up and was an hour early). I immediately decided my personal safety was worth WAY more than the measley 40 bucks I'd save and headed back to my car. As I entered the garage, the sight of the smoker literally lurking in the shadows was more than I'd expected - and more of a risk than I was willing to take. I called Judd, and loudly informed him that if the line was to go dead or I was to stop talking to immediately hang up and call 911 and report where I was and what was going on. He stayed on the line until I was safely locked in my car.
Finally at the airport, I settled down, grabbed some breakfast, boarded my flight, and napped until MSP. With a little less than an hour between flights, I scanned the directory to see if I should grab something to eat or wait until landing. I immediately saw the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory....all of my traveling buddies know my weakness when going through Atlanta is a chocolate caramel covered apple from Savannah Candy Kitchen, but with no connection in ATL an apple was more than I'd expected this morning. It made for a nice snack on the plane though. :)
As we landed in Anchorage I pulled out my phone and once on the ground turned it on. After a rather lengthy period of time "searching" I turned to the folks beside me (who I'd already discerned were local) and asked if they had Verizon. I was informed there was no Verizon or T mobile but I might be able to pick up on the AT&T tower. No comms for the weekend was definitely a little more than I'd expected. (Though in hindsight, having lived in AK, I should've known it would be a real possibility!) I took advantage of the airport wifi to Facebook message Denise & Krissy and let them know I'd be out of comms but waiting for them at the hotel and to update my Facebook status to let folks know I'd be limited to Facebook and email until I hit the lower 48 on Sunday. Then I grabbed the shuttle and checked into the hotel.
While I knew Anchorage was 'big city' compared to Sitka, the availability of shopping and dining chain options was a little more than I'd expected. The hotel was situation right beside an Outback, BW3, and Walmart. (Sitka had 2 grocery stores, a pharmacy, and gift shops - no chainstores at all!) I headed across the street and grabbed some boneless wings for lunch while taking advantage of the wifi to catch up on the going-ons via Facebook and Instagram. Afterwards I headed back to the hotel and caught up reading my magazines while waiting for Denise and Judy, and snacked on the fresh chocolate chip cookies. Just before 3:00 I had a hankering for watermelon and was about to venture next door to the Walmart to see if they had any, but when I saw the time I decided I'd wait as they were due to land at 3:15. When I got the email that they were on the ground at 4:20 it was a little longer than I'd expected, but we still had plenty of time for a Walmart run before Krissy got in. When they arrived at the hotel, Judy's look confirmed my own feelings...the room was a little tighter than expected for four people. We'd been told it had 2 queen beds, they were definitely doubles at best. But there was a hide-a-bed, so if anyone felt it was tight quarters they had the option of using that. Denise mentioned needing to go to Walmart for bug spray given that one of our friends that had previously done this race commented on her Facebook post that we would need bug spray for the huge mosquitos on the trail. I told them I'd been waiting to get a watermelon anyway and we headed that way. After a quick spin around Walmart, we dropped our supplies at the hotel - watermelon included
Then headed to the Seagalley for dinner. I wasn't really hungry as I'd eaten a few more cookies than expected, but always up for some good seafood and knowing my time in AK was limited I ordered some King crab & a cup of chowder. I definitely ate more than expected!
After dinner we headed back to the hotel to wait for Krissy. While there I got a Facebook notification of a comment from Tracy on my status about no phone service in AK. He was wondering if I was in Anchorage for the race and said he might need a favor. With no clue what he could possibly need from me, I let him know Denise and I were there and happy to help. He commented that Marissa was on her way and needed a place to stay. Given that we had the pull out we ran it by Judy, knowing Krissy would be ok with whatever we decided. Five in the room was definitely a little more than we expected, but we agreed and Denise called her to let her know where we were so she could join us as Judy and I made up the pull out for her. Krissy arrived shortly afterwards and we filled her in, then we chatted and planned the next day. Though we hadn't expected to need a car, the more we looked into things the more we decided it would be a good idea. We booked one for 2PM Friday to 2PM Saturday as we didn't expect to need it longer than that, then we started folding our tents for the night. I was first out, given that I was still on east coast time and been up since 2AM, Krissy wasn't far behind given that she's central time. I'd left a key at the desk for Marissa and vaguely recall hearing her come in, but I went right back to sleep.
None of us had expected to wake up early, but not used to the midnight sun and still not adjusted from our time zone changes, we all woke up early, showered, and were ready to go by 6:30AM! We went down and had breakfast, then came back to the room and tried to kill time until the expo. Marissa wanted to do a day tour, which we hadn't expected but weren't against. Given that we were covering the room, she decided to cover the car and wanted to get it earlier than planned. So we headed to the airport, picked up the car, and then headed to the expo.
The expo was quite small, but we got our bibs and still managed to do a little shopping.
While we were there, Krissy found a glacier tour in a brochure and asked if we'd be interested. We all agreed, but realized we'd need to set out soon as it was an hour away, departed at 1:00, and it was already nearly 11:30. We headed out. Marissa called and found out the address for the GPS and that we didn't need reservations and we were off. The drive was full of laughs and chatting as well as beautiful scenery. A good ways into it, with me in the center seat in the back, I happened to look up as Krissy was taking pictures out of her windown, Denise was posting pictures to Facebook, and Judy was doing something on her phone. Everyone's attention quickly came to front and center as I simply stated, "We're going to die." On a 2 lane road (one in each direction), Marissa was in the process of beginning to pass a car, as our car strained to pick up speed the gap between us and the oncoming car closed quickly and none of us thought we'd make it back into our lane - except Marissa. As we merged back into our lane just in the nick of time we all heaved a sign of relief. A few miutes later Marissa bursted out laughing and said, "I can't believe you all agreed to let me drive!" As she relayed her driving stories we all asked why she hadn't told any of us this before we got the car, then we all crumbled into laughter - but kept a closer eye on the road!
As we flipped through our race guides, Denise noticed an ad for the exact tour we were headed towards that stated there was a discount if runners showed their bibs. Krissy called to find out the discount and the result was a confusing conversation during which we momentarily thought we had been given bad information with regards to not needing a reservation and questioned whether we'd be able to make the tour. In the end, it turns out the concern had been about us making the tunnel opening - we hadn't expected this tunnel as this was the first we'd heard of it, but apparently there is a one way tunnel just before Whitter (the town we were headed towards) that opens in the direction we were headed at 30 minutes past each hour and is only open for 15 minutes. We quickly realized we'd definitely make the 12:30 tunnel, but Marissa wanted to be sure and gathered speed. We all dug our nails into the edges of our seats and tried not to have our nerves frayed as we passed more cars! (We love you Marissa!) We reached the tunnel with time to spare before the 12:30 opening, though we didn't expect the $12 toll and we certainly didn't expect the toll collector to be so rude! (We are obviously tourist, so when you give your speel at the speed of an auctioner and none of us understand any of it and ask for clarification - get a personality!)
Soon enough we were through the tunnel, parking, and purchasing our tours. A quick picture on the brow and we were ready to get underway.
Not long after boarding we realized there was a bar onboard, though we didn't expect it we weren't against a few drinks. We'd all selected the fish and chips for lunch; and were happy to hear it was baked rather than fried given that it was the day before the race.
After we finished our meals we decided to go out on deck for a picture. Being on the water, it was colder than we expected; and having not expected to be on the water at all, it was definitely colder than we'd prepared for! But we made the best of it and simply popped inside to warm up frequently. As we posed for our first group shot we also found while the boat was moving it was windier than expected! As Krissy asked, "Is my hair in your face?" just before the picture clicked, I assured her with "No, but mine sure is!!"
I would be the one sporting the Cousin It look.
The time flew by as we enjoyed the scenery, chatted about our upcoming race schedules, and went in and out enjoying the sites.
Soon enough we were viewing several glaciers.
We took advantage of the stops at each to run out for pictures without freezing and/or being blown away.
But after each we retreated inside to warm up!
Along the way we spotted a few seals and otters at play, but only one group of seals let us get very close to them.
And they weren't really comfy with our presence so they slid into the water and went on their merry way.
We hadn't really expected to get that close though, so we were thankful to see them.
The otters on the other hand, held us to our expectations and didn't let us very close.
While we had expected to see a bald eagle (this is AK afterall), we didn't expect to get such a close up view of one in his nest.
Our Park Ranger guide quickly explained his nest placement was due to the fact that he fed on the birds that nested just beyond him near the waterfall.
Looking at the waterfall, we saw a few birds flying around it and noticed the rocks were dotted with white (personally I thought it was likely bird poop); but we didn't expect the sheer number of birds we found. The closer we got the more the rocks came into focus.
We began to realize there were more birds than we'd expected, but we didn't realize just how many more until we were right up on the waterfall.
Turns out the white dots were actually each birds - and while the ranger excited talked about this species and called it by name, I didn't expect it to be seagulls with black feet. I was less than impressed.
Soon enough we were approaching port.
A quick photo and we realized that we would need to beat the rush off of the boat and out of the parking lot to catch the top of the hour opening of the tunnel in our direction unless we wanted to wait an hour for the next one. So, we headed down to wait for the brow to come across, then promptly said our thank yous and headed ashore. We made the tunnel with no issue and began to discuss our next adventure.
While onboard an older gentleman had made some suggestions to Denise and drawn a crude map to a pulley system/basket that takes you out over a gorge. We somewhat didn't expect to be able to find this based on the directions, map, or Denise's recollection of the conversation hours later; but we did! (Denise rules!) However, we only found it after going off the end of the paved road and deep into the woods, up the mountain. (Marissa rules too!) As soon as we found it, I ensure everyone could expect that regardless of how cool this thing may be there was NO way I was going to check it out! Anything that required us taking a hike into the woods without a lot of people around and with no gun or at least bear spray was NOT happening! Call me chicken, but I wasn't looking to be mauled! As Denise, Krissy, and Judy got out to read the maps/guides posted at the site they found it was closed for repair and while they hadn't expected it, it was a welcome relief to me!
As we headed back down the trail and towards the road we didn't expect to come upon the Iditarod Trail, but we didn't miss the opportunity for a quick photo either! Stopping the car in the center of the road and jumping out for a picture, we didn't exactly expect all of the cars that randomly came in both directions as we ran back to the to get going so they could get around us either!
Back on our way, we were in town before we knew it; and head to the Moose's Tooth for a pre-race fueling session. Our bellies and day full, we headed back to the hotel where we each engaged in our pre-race prep routines before falling into our beds for the night.
Race morning we slept a little later, but we were still all awake well before the alarm went off. We had ample time to get in a light pre-run breakfast (which I supplemented with some of my watermelon!!), don our race gear, and head to the start. On the way to the start I realized I'd had a little too much watermelon and was already well hydrated - so I needed a potty break before the race. As we headed towards the start (and the porta-potty lines) we realized how short on time we were and how long the lines were. I opted to not wait, headed across the street, and found an alley. Everyone else waited. Krissy was first out so we waited for the others.
Denise was the last of our group in line and as she emerged, we huddle for a quick group shot, and the announcer gave us the 40 second warning!
Quick smile, hit the corral, and we were off! None of us expected to run a terribly fast race. Denise and Judy hung together, as did Krissy and I, while Marissa hung back at her own pace. While we were prepared for the mosquitos, we didn't expect there to be so many or so early on in the course. While others were being eaten alive our deet kept them off of us, but we had to be careful not to inhale them! We also didn't expect to not have a single water stop for the first nearly 4 miles! While the running/biking trail we were on was pretty, it was not very wide and left you jammed up with a group start vs. wave start; and it didn't offer an opportunity for course support. (Just something to keep in mind if you run this one...you may want to consider carrying hydration at least for the early miles.) When we finally came out onto the road, we hit the first water stop and we walked through it. I grabbed two cups just in case given how long it had been, but found I only needed one. Krissy hadn't expected to need another but found she did, so I handed it off. We picked our pace back up and a little over another mile in Krissy needed a break. I didn't expect to be feeling so good but didn't want to leave her. About the same time I saw Denise and Judy just ahead and told Krissy. As she tapered to a walk I went ahead. As I passed Denise and Judy, Denise cheered for me. I let her know Krissy was right behind her and I carried on. I felt certain they'd all meet up, but I didn't know that for sure until they crossed the finish line together later.
Just after parting with the others I heard a plane. Having not really looked at the course map, I didn't expect the plane to be so close!
But I quickly found we ran right past the end of the run away, then around the side of the airport,
and onto access controlled property. After a mile or so we made a turn into the woods. I did not expect this to be an all out trail run!
But for the next mile we were up and down hills, around stumps, roots, and logs, and through mud
before finally coming back to the path. I'd never actually run on a trail before - not in its purest sense, and didn't expect to absolutely LOVE it, but I did! While it was hard work and definitely technical, I am already putting this on my list of things to do after finishing my 50 states!
Once back on the running/biking path, we were met with more gorgeous views. At this point the crowds had thinned out and it was more enjoyable as everyone had fallen into their perspective paces.
I felt good and continued running strong as we headed back to town.
I knew there was a decent hill within the last mile and tried to save something for it, but once I'd crested that hill I was ready to back off and finish easy. Until I happened to pass the two girls that had crested the hill just in front of me. I realized they'd picked up the pace when I passed. The competitive nature kicked in. I picked it up a bit. They picked it up a bit too. With a quarter mile to go we found ourselves in an all out foot race, all three of us in a dead sprint for the finish.
I felt like I was going to collapse but I dug still deeper. We passed a few more people on the way to the line. Literally steps before the finish they pulled ahead and there was nothing I could do about it. They crossed just ahead of me.
Several things I hadn't expected here - when I actually got a good look at my competitors, I hadn't expected them to be at least half of my age!
With my PR being a 9:00 minute mile when training and my untrained average being around a 9:30mm, I hadn't expected to run a 6:28mm for a sustained quarter mile! (Thank you Garmin for that tidbit of data.) And I hadn't expect to forget to stop my Garmin in the excitement of the finish (never forgotten that before!). This led me to the results table to get my final time, and REALLY hadn't expected to find I actually beat these gals (who were in the 15-19 age group!) by 7 seconds because they started before me!
While waiting for the rest of my crew I headed to the snacks...didn't expect to find....
perhaps my favorite race yet! I literally skipped the rest of the goodies, snacked on watermelon, and waited for my friends.
Once everyone was back together, had their results, medals, and finishers' shirts, we stopped for a quick picture,
then headed to let everyone refuel. We couldn't resist...
As we were walking away, Denise remembered hearing an announcement that Judy was second place in her age group! We went back and she collected her medal!
We then headed to the car. On the way we saw a tent that left us curious....our logic, if the results tent was where you found the results, the beer tent was where you found the beer, the finishers' shirt tent was where you found the finishers' shirts, the medical tent was where you found the medics, the snack tent was where you found snacks....what should we expect to find in "men" tent???
A few steps later we met Star...a reindeer, in a backyard, right beside the park...not what we expected.
A beach girl at heart, I'm one that avoid tan lines at all costs. I switch up bathing suits frequently to not have hard tan lines, untie my top when lying with my back up, etc. So never in my life would I have expected to have tan lines from knee straps.
But despite the goofy lines, they keep me running so I'll deal with them.
Back at the room, we rotated through our showers, then headed into town to refuel. We headed to a restaurant I'd read about for seafood. We didn't expect to find it closed, but Krissy was quick to produce a back up option. By the time we got there, all of the post race watermelon had me doing the potty dance, so as the group headed into the restaurant, Marissa and I followed the signs to the restroom. We didn't expect it to be a country mile away! Finally back inside we met up with the group and found a table in the bar. We ordered a round of drinks and appetizer.
My first drink of the trip, I didn't expect it to be so strong! I literally managed a few sips before passing it off, knowing my limits. We all enjoyed very different meals, but each equally amazing. As we finished up, Marissa and I decided another potty break would probably be a good idea before venturing out to the Solistic festival, but neither of us wanted to wanted to trek back to BFE. Denise, Krissy, and Judy pointed out a door with a restroom sign literally just behind our table so we decided to not be lazy at the expense of our bladders and headed down the hall. We REALLY didn't expect it to be a labryinth back to the same original bathroom! Bellies full and bladders emptied, we strolled through the streets checking out the festival
and gift shops along the way.
Soon enough it was time for them to drop me off at the airport. As I sat in the airport waiting for my red eye, I realized this race and adventure was so much more fun than originally expected!
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