My Profile

@Bean

El Paso, TX Raving since 2014 https://bean-justploddingalong.blogspot.com/ Active 7 years, 11 months ago

About Me

  • Running club(s):
  • Rave race:
  • Race that's calling my name:

    Big Sur, Marine Corp, New York…..

  • I run because:

    I like to eat. And it is fun….did I mention I like to eat.

My Races

Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.

50 States Map
image/svg+xml FL TX NM AZ AK CA NV UT CO OR WA ID HI OK MT WY ND SD NE KS MN IA MO AR LA MS AL GA SC IL WI MI IN OH TN KY NC WV VA PA NY ME VT NH RI CT NJ DE MD MA DC

Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (2)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Albany, GA Mar 1, 2014 4:28:59
Half Marathon Mt. Pleasant, WI 2012 1:59:16

Future Races (2)

Race Distance Location Date Paid
Marathon Arlington, VA TBD
Marathon Staten Island, NY TBD

Past Races (7)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon White Sands, NM Mar 22, 2015
Half Marathon Virgin, UT Mar 14, 2015
Half Marathon El Paso, TX Feb 22, 2015
Marathon Albany, GA Mar 1, 2014 4:28:59
Marathon Schaumburg, IL 2013 5:30:40
Marathon Kenosha, WI 2013 4:50:20
Half Marathon Mt. Pleasant, WI 2012 1:59:16

My Raves

When I crossed the finish line the first words out of my mouth as I stood hunched over with my hands on my knees was "God I hate marathons". I … MORE

When I crossed the finish line the first words out of my mouth as I stood hunched over with my hands on my knees was “God I hate marathons”. I do. I really, really do. But I also love them. I think because, using the words of first time marathoner and my friend Patrice, it never fails to serve up a nice big piece of humble pie at some point. 26.2 miles is a long freaking way and I don’t think running a marathon will ever be a walk in the park for me. I always have a point somewhere along the course where I regret the very poor life choice I made to run a marathon. But then I finish and there is really nothing like the feeling of finishing a marathon for me, probably because that distance is so difficult for me. I also really love seeing other people finish.

This race is flat, somewhat scenic and is well organized. There are enough people to never feel alone and to have the buzz and excitement but not so many where you feel crowded or have to weave around others. The medal was a turtle which I of course appreciated. But the thing about flat is towards the end the same repetitive movement can get to be a bit much so be prepared for that. Overall I liked this race well enough to do once. It is not so exciting or so scenic as to want to repeat the feat. But if you live in the South and are on a mission to PR this is the race for you.

DIFFICULTY
1
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
SCENERY
2
SWAG
4

Was this review helpful?

Running through the forest preserve is nice. Running out and back on the access road from the start and to the finish is rough going. Pay attention to the weather … MORE

Running through the forest preserve is nice. Running out and back on the access road from the start and to the finish is rough going. Pay attention to the weather on this one- can be hot and humid and adjust accordingly. The volunteers are great. Was not a huge fan of the medal but did like the long sleeve shirt.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
4
My Report
SCENERY
4
SWAG
3

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

The scenery is beautiful with a jaunt through neat neighborhoods and along Lake Michigan. The roads are a bit rough with pot holes and gravel in the first half. In … MORE

The scenery is beautiful with a jaunt through neat neighborhoods and along Lake Michigan. The roads are a bit rough with pot holes and gravel in the first half. In the second half there are a few gravel roads with large rocks that make things tricky. There are elements of out and back so if you like seeing other runners that is fun. The second half of the course has almost no spectators so prepare for some solo miles. After the half marathoners split off there are very few full marathoners. Medal and shirt are nice. Always a fun theme and great end of race party.

DIFFICULTY
3
PRODUCTION
5
My Report
SCENERY
4
SWAG
5

1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

This course is described as flat and fast. Perhaps there is something to that since I did so well but it did not feel all that flat to me. I … MORE

This course is described as flat and fast. Perhaps there is something to that since I did so well but it did not feel all that flat to me. I guess when I hear flat I think pancake flat. This course had some rolling hills to it, including about a half a mile climb at the end. Every hill I ran up I thought to myself ‘their website is a lie, A LIE’. Hills make me ragey.

The other thing about this race is that it is long, like way long. I stopped my watch when I hit 13.1 and could still not see the finish line. It took me another minute and a half running a 9 minute pace to actually get there. So if I do the math, carry the one, divide by pi…… equals too freakin long. The weird thing was that there was a finish line set up where it would have measured about 13.1 but we ran by it and finished at the start. It was as if the actual finish was inconvenient so they just moved it on down the road. If you are going to do that take the other finish down. Don’t mock us with it. But I did it, official time or garmin time both under 2 = WIN.

The course is beautiful. Well organized with a place to stay warm indoors before and inside loos are always a win. Medal is cheap and not awesome. Shirt was long sleeve and nice. Fun Halloween themed fair after. Overall pretty fun race.

DIFFICULTY
2
PRODUCTION
3
My Report
SCENERY
4
SWAG
2

Was this review helpful?

My Followers