MY QUEST TO 50
12 DOWN 38 TO GO
North Carolina Marathon
26.2 Miles
April 12, 2015
A few weeks ago I ran
my 3rd full marathon in North Carolina. I completed my 12th
state on my quest to running 50 states. I set a personal record for this
marathon by 1 min but I can say this was a hilly tough 26.2 miles. I could have
finished with a better time but duty called and had to stop at the porta potty,
my very first time stopping at a porta potty for a big race haha and when I had
to start up again legs were so tight :(
This was the second
year that Rock N Roll hosted the Raleigh Marathon, not sure if it lost
popularity last year because of the hills but there were a lot more people
running the half marathon compared to the full marathon. When the course split
at mile 8 there were hundreds of people going toward the half route and a
handful of people running towards the full route. I was one of the handfuls
that went toward the full. At one point during the course I was the only one on
the road for a few miles, no spectators no runners in front or behind me, a
lonely hilly road. Along the route I got to talk to some runners since there
were so few of us, some were feeling ill puking along the side of the road,
some had stopped to stretch and massage their legs because of all the hills, I
know I definitely felt it on my thighs. All in all I had a good race even
though I’m still complaining about the hilly course, did I mention there were
lots of hills haha.
My mom and my youngest sister Cadence were there to support me this time around for my marathon. We drove from NYC, what a long ride and we even tried some NC BBQ. We went to this place called The Pit which was televised on the Food Network so it was definitely a must try, lets just say the ribs, candied yams and the mac and cheese were finger lickin good. Post race we stopped at a restaurant called Cracker Barrel and that country fried steak was delicious. When I visit someplace I always like to try the best eats in that city.
I recovered pretty well
from the marathon, was sore for 2 days and then I was ok to go boxing on day 3
and felt great. I’m happy that I recovered well and experienced no injuries,
just a few weeks before I was experiencing hip pain and I rested it and it got
better and then with my new Asics sneakers I had pain on top of my foot, I’ve
never used this brand before which I’m
not pleased with.
Now I have to decide
where my next state will be, I’m working toward the East Coast right now, would
love to travel cross country but will save up for that and maybe plan something
perhaps end of the year or next year. Right now I have my sights on Maine, New
Hampshire, Maryland and Boston.
Next Stop Boston!!
