Each Day Is a Gift

really? she doesn't know how often to do aid stations? oh boy...this is going to be a fun adventure for you! You'd better have Pres follow you on the course with water!!

Nice miles today!

You are more brave than I am. I hope it goes ok. Is it this weekend?

RAD ~ The website said there will be aid stations starting at mile 3 and approximately every other mile. It was very vague about what else will be at aid station other than water. It said it will have energy drink and goodies every other aid station. She asked me for input what I like to see at aid station and how often I stop to drink. So I told her most marathons offer energy gels at minimum two aid stations. I like orange slices at the later miles and I always take one cup water and one cup gatorade every two miles. She thanked me for the suggestion and told me frankly that she's never done running events, just cycling and is very nervous about it. So I told her that most runners are concerned about accuracy of the course, starting on time, accuracy in timing and results especially when prize money is involved (which Mesquite is offering overall winners), support on the course and aid in finish during recovery.

Anyway, she never did help me with my concern about getting to the start and where the start is. She did say there will be port-a-potty at the start and along the course. The route is on Old Hwy 91, a two-lane hwy that will not be closed to traffic. This morning she updated the start time to 7am on the website. It was 6:30; but she was concerned about it being a new route and busing further up so she changed the start time half hour later. Seriously, first-time organized marathons are not new to me. I just lower my expectation and run it for my own benefit. I probably won't even get a shirt and medal at the race. Their facebook chat said they have already ordered them and anyone registering after Oct 31 are not guaranteed but they will be mailed out.

Seriously, The Mesquite Tri-State Marathon had not seen much success and now Ultra-Planet is taking over plus the Valley of Fire Marathon the next day. I think they're in over their heads.

Dale ~ It is next Sat. I just hope we won't have a major winter storm blowing thru as it can get pretty cold and windy in the high desert. First 6 miles of it will be in Utah and all downhill, the next 17 miles in Arizona rolling with some steep climbs and the last 3.2 in Mesquite, flat. The route is on boring 2 lanes highway, zero civilization (meaning NO spectators) with only high desert for scenery. Might not be a bad idea to have hubby drive support, haha! No, that will not be kosher, or against USATF rules...not that I'm trying for any prize. I think their AG prize is a cow bell. Seriously, how badly do I want to win a cow bell! haha!

I am glad that you are running Mesquite. I am looking forward to your race report, it's next Saturday, right?

I ran the marathon 2 years ago and there was a half they put on about five years ago that I ran. Loved the half, the marathon just stunk. The course was pretty brutal but I thought the race was well planned and well put on. It's crazy that the same group is not putting it on. I bet they lost a lot of money the year I did it. They had a very nice tent, lots of goodies, a nice bus to the start line and they were well equiped with beverages and aid. There weren't very many runners and the time of year is not exactly the best.

I hope your friend can pull off the two marathons in two days, sounds a little scary to me... They will make it work.

Good luck running the race. The start line is one a road that goes forever out into the middle of nowhere.

Cow bells? That's kind of cool if you ask me. It will be added to your sweet collection I am sure.

I would love to win a cow bell! Good luck on the race next week.....might end up being quite an adventure! Your hub is a gem!!!!

I'm still laughing about the cowbells. My granddaughters would love them, but I would need two. I think I'll wait for your race report before deciding on this one!

Good Luck on the race!! How many marathons do you run a year?

it sounds like this one could get crazy, smooth. :) good luck and have fun. i hope the weather holds for you. go get that cowbell!

Steamer, Flat ~ Boston gave out cowbells this year! Don't think I will win any at Mesquite. I'm gonna run it for fun to finish the year with 9 marathons in 7 months! It'll be an adventure for sure!

Nancy ~ This is the most marathons I've run in a year (from April to Nov.) I ran one marathon in 2005, 2006 when I first picked up running. In 2007 I ran the 4 Grand Slam marathons. In 2008, 2009, 2010 I ran 6 marathons.

allie ~ I hope the weather holds too. It could get nasty this time of year! Thanks for the shout-out! :)