A visit to Bass Pro Shops Headquarters in Springville, MO would be a huge dream come true for any outdoors lover! We found our way there November 1 for the Run Bass Pro Shops Marathon! We toured the lovely store and museums, slept in the Angler's Lodge (which had a pack of gummy worms on each bed!) and made it to the race starting line. It was Sunday morning and there was a worship service for the runners before taking off. The Sons of the Silver Dollar warmed our heats with uplifting music such as Trumpet of Jesus and Power in the Blood. Races in these modern Covid times have staggered starts and masks required until social distancing is possible while running. I started with the 4:20 pace group and was determined to stay with them as long as I could. After taking a whole month off from racing and getting some good training runs in, I felt amazing! It was wonderful to run with hardly any pain for a change. This was a relatively flat course on city streets. I usually feel good for the first half, then gradually slow down for the remainder. This race I mostly felt better the whole way. When I got to mile 16 I realized I only had like 10 miles left. I started passing other runners, which was a fun change from my regular routine. There were a lot of aid stations and spectators out cheering us on, which made for a great experience. My time ended up as 4:11:15, my best of the year! Mama also had her best time of the year in the half marathon with 2:06:59, and Papa did great in the 5K with 27:09! It was a good day to run!
It has become a family tradition for us to run on Thanksgiving morning, but this year the regular 5K we race in was cancelled. Everything in Iowa was cancelled, and no extended family was going to be able to make it for dinner either. The solution to this? Head out for Texas! The Texas Quad Races were on in Fort Worth! This series consists of 4 days and 4 races on the same course. I chose to run the 8-loop marathon on Day 1, Thursday, while Mama and Papa opted for the 4-loop 1/2 marathon. Other amazing runners ran all 4 days! Not us! The trails along the Trinity River offered a scenic view as we ran on and on. It was a small race compared to others, and I missed having a pace group, but I was just glad to be able to race! The benefit of a small race is I could finish in 5th place with a time of 4:21:46, instead of 205th place! Mama also finished in 5th place in her respective race, and Papa in 7th! Awesome, comfy t-shirts were provided, pink for the girls, and blue for the guys! The medals were pretty as well! One thing I always enjoy is seeing familiar faces from other races we've been to across the country. There are many extraordinary stories to be heard and many friends to be made. On this Thanksgiving morning I was extra thankful for the gift of running, and for all of God's bountiful blessings on me!
“Finishing a marathon is a state of mind that says anything is possible.”
“Finishing a marathon is a state of mind that says anything is possible.”