My Profile

@TroyMiller

Des Moines, IA Raving since 2017 50 States hopeful/finisher Active 2 months, 3 weeks ago

About Me

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

    Boston Marathon

  • I run because:

    I run because I can and it is my outlet for stress. It also gives me a great sense of accomplishment to complete a race.

My Races

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

50 States Map
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Half Marathon

Marathon

Ultramarathon

(Marathon or Ultra) + Half

Marathon + Ultra

Other

Future Races

Personal Bests (1)

Race Distance Location Date Result
Marathon Two Harbors, MN Jun 16, 2018 3:21:43

Future Races (0)

Race Distance Location Date Paid

Past Races (29)

Race Distance Location Date Result My Raves My Performance
Marathon Gladstone, MI Jun 25, 2022
Marathon Madison, WI Nov 14, 2021 4:07:52
Marathon Fargo, ND Sep 25, 2021
Marathon Green River, WY Aug 21, 2021
Marathon Carmel, IN Apr 3, 2021
Marathon Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Dec 6, 2020
Marathon Hopkinton, MA Sep 14, 2020
Marathon Spokane, WA Sep 6, 2020 4:49:53
Marathon Hood River, OR Oct 20, 2019
Marathon Estes Park, CO Jun 16, 2019 4:40:48
Marathon Myrtle Beach, SC Mar 2, 2019 3:36:09
Marathon Jekyll Island, GA Jan 20, 2019 3:22:34
Marathon Harrisburg, PA Nov 11, 2018 3:53:48
Marathon Richmond, VA Nov 10, 2018 6:03:02
Marathon Mentor, OH Oct 7, 2018 3:29:19
Marathon Hooper, NE Aug 18, 2018 4:10:03
Marathon Two Harbors, MN Jun 16, 2018 3:21:43
Marathon Fayetteville, NC Mar 25, 2018 3:43:18
Marathon Jekyll Island, GA Jan 14, 2018 3:28:48
Marathon Tulsa, OK Nov 19, 2017 3:50:13
Marathon Chicago, IL Oct 8, 2017 3:35:32
Marathon Anchorage, AK Jun 17, 2017 3:36:37
Marathon Sea Isle City, NJ Mar 26, 2017 3:39:59
Marathon Gulf Shores, AL Jan 29, 2017 3:46:07
Marathon Des Moines, IA Oct 16, 2016 3:31:09
Marathon Viborg, SD Jun 12, 2016 3:48:15
Marathon St Louis, MO Apr 10, 2016 3:32:10
Marathon Jackson, MS Jan 9, 2016 3:45:35
Marathon Olathe, KS Apr 18, 2015 3:48:41

My Raves

It was a cool and rainy start at around 9500 feet but the beauty that surrounded the start and much of the race was breathtaking. If the view won't take … MORE

It was a cool and rainy start at around 9500 feet but the beauty that surrounded the start and much of the race was breathtaking. If the view won’t take your breath away, the elevation might. I knew this would be an issue for a “flatlander” from Iowa (the elevations I train at are around 750′) so I slowed down my pace and just took in the beauty that was surrounding me. I took pictures, slowed down to chat with and encourage other runners and somehow still managed to finish second in my age division. The event was well run, the shuttle to the start was easy, the volunteers were helpful, cheerful and encouraging, the aid stations were well stocked, the porta potties could have been slightly more plentiful along the route but I only say that because they weren’t necessarily where I needed them, LOL. The start area was great as we were able to relax inside the lodge with fresh coffee, tea or hot chocolate and water to make the wait in the cool, damp morning much more tolerable. The race itself takes you from about 9500 feet at the Dao House down scenic HWY 7 into the town of Estes Park about 2000′ below over the first 10 or so miles. The views of the rockies are plentiful as are beautiful streams and lakes. The route then tours around the town and then out around the countryside (and up and down a few hills) and then back into town past the historic Stanley Hotel back around the lake and finishing on the HS track (the rubber surface sure felt good on tired legs). Post race food options were not great in my opinion (or maybe it was just because I finished about an hour later than I normally would at lower elevations). Options were cheese pizza, broccoli pizza, salad and some vegetarian dish. No offense to my fellow runners but who runs 26.2 miles and can’t wait to grab a salad. Nonetheless, I had a great time and enjoyed my cheese pizza 🙂
If you’re looking to BQ, this race, although downhill for most of the first 10 miles, is likely not a great race for that. If you’re looking for a destination race, this is a great one! The Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park area is full of fun things to do and see. My wife and I loved the area and will probably go back to do more exploring.

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It was apparent from start to finish that this was not their first rodeo. While the temperature and humidity were a little warm for my personal taste, they announced at … MORE

It was apparent from start to finish that this was not their first rodeo. While the temperature and humidity were a little warm for my personal taste, they announced at the starting line that this was the best weather start to date. It was in the upper 50’s at the start, overcast with a bit of wind in some areas. The aid stations were plentiful as were the porta-potties (which I was very grateful for as I had some GI issues on race day). The volunteers were great and very helpful! The course was flat and I certainly felt that had I not had issues, I could have had a PR. There was entertainment along the route and you didn’t go far between seeing spectators of some sort, even some that had wandered out of their hotels and resorts in their jammies 🙂 The scenery included glimpses of the ocean, numerous mini-golf courses and other attractions, the sky wheel and beautiful homes and resorts. The expo was good although I felt it was difficult to navigate because of the crowd but that could have been due to the fact we went shortly after it opened. The atmosphere at the start was electric and the finish line was well stocked with food and the entertainment was decent (although we didn’t hang out for too long). The medal was pretty big and the finisher tank top was a pretty cool surprise. The Myrtle Beach area has plenty to do whether you are by yourself, in a group or bring the whole family. All in all, it was a good experience.

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I swore when I started my 50 state quest that I would not repeat any states or races until I had completed all 50 states. I broke that promise on … MORE

I swore when I started my 50 state quest that I would not repeat any states or races until I had completed all 50 states. I broke that promise on this one. Once again, this is our favorite vacation spot and I had strongly considered doing this again but hadn’t made up my mind. What decided it for me is that a friend was going to be there and when I didn’t make the cut for the 2019 Boston Marathon, I decided this would be a great qualifier. The course is flat, fast and beautiful. You are nearly at sea level and the temps this time of year are pretty mild. It was quite windy but the wind didn’t really hit until about halfway but when it hit, it hit like a ton of bricks. I was determined that regardless of the conditions on race day, I was going to get my Boston qualifying time and I did! I also finished third in the Masters Division and got a custom, hand made pottery plate that was made by a local potter on the island. I really like that they also have free pictures that are taken by a professional photographer. This is a great touch and is much appreciated by those of us who don’t have an extra $75-100 laying around to buy race photos ($75-100 equals another race entry for me!!). The course gives you a great mini tour of the island. The aid stations are plentiful and well stocked. The volunteers are friendly, encouraging and helpful. The race directors are very involved on site the day of the race and are there to celebrate with you at the finish line. Once again, if you’re looking for a well run smaller race on a beautiful island with tons of history, this is the one for you!

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I signed up for this one knowing little about it other than it was within 200 miles of the race I was doing with a friend on Saturday so I … MORE

I signed up for this one knowing little about it other than it was within 200 miles of the race I was doing with a friend on Saturday so I could pick up a double for the weekend. A friend later told me that she had run this one a few times and that it was a beautiful (and thankfully) fairly flat course with just enough hills to keep you honest. Thankfully, they had packet pick-up the day of, which it seemed many people took advantage of. The course starts on City Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River. After a couple of miles on City Island, the course follows along some of the beautiful trails along the river front. The trees were still displaying their fall colors on this crisp, Autumn morning. The sun was out in full force with nary a cloud in the sky making it a picture perfect day. The course also followed along one of the riverfront neighborhoods with homes that looked to be built in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s, including the Governor’s mansion. If you are looking for a scenic run that will make the miles click by easily as you take in all the scenery, this is a good one!

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I entered this race to help a friend that I met through a running group on Facebook finish his first marathon. I figured I could help a brother out and … MORE

I entered this race to help a friend that I met through a running group on Facebook finish his first marathon. I figured I could help a brother out and check off another state on my way to 50. He had told me that he wanted to shoot for a 5 hour finish but the hills took a toll on his IT band so we had to take that last half pretty slow. I am typically a 3:30-3:45 pace runner but running at this slower pace gave me a chance to truly enjoy all the extras like the junk food stops and such. This race was a fun one and the participation of the community and volunteers was second to none. We even picked up a straggler along the way and helped her finish her first marathon as well. After crossing the finish line we were given the medal, a nice warm blanket and a finisher’s hat.

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Hey, what budget conscious marathoner can pass up a marathon for $26.20? Seriously though, it was a good value for the money. Like another review I read, I had looked … MORE

Hey, what budget conscious marathoner can pass up a marathon for $26.20? Seriously though, it was a good value for the money. Like another review I read, I had looked at the course and thought it was a good PR course. SO fueled by the anger and frustration of not making the cut for the 2019 Boston, I set out to PR and set an even lower qualifying time. With a temperature and humidity that was higher than my ideal running temp, I did not meet my goal. I did, however place second in my age division. It was a decent course and was plentiful with aid stations about every other mile. The people in the neighborhoods were friendly as was the staff of each of the stations. The race started on time and was marked out well enough to follow but they still had someone at each turn to keep us straight. All went smooth and the medals were unique.
If you are looking for a race with fans lining the streets, this is not the one. Spectators were few and far between. But if you’re looking small, inexpensive and well organized race, this is the one.

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After asking about other races in Nebraska and getting mostly a "I did such and such and it was okay" response, I decided on Logan View because it benefits the … MORE

After asking about other races in Nebraska and getting mostly a “I did such and such and it was okay” response, I decided on Logan View because it benefits the local school. I knew it would be a small race (I’m quite certain the volunteers outnumbered the participants) and I also knew it would be challenging. I had never run a night race (and likely never will again) so I was not sure what to expect with this. I was not sure how to fuel during the day but I knew I needed to pre-hydrate as it was going to be a hot one.
The temp at 5 PM at the start of the race was 85 F and there was nary a whisper of wind. The sun was out in full force with nary a cloud in the sky. Thankfully the aid stations were well stocked and the students and volunteers helping were more than helpful and made sure we got plenty of fluids. There was also a random farmer that was out with his kids cheering us on and offering us water, Gatorade and a cold shower he had set up.
The course was mostly through the rural country side and was pretty enough but provided little to no shelter from the blazing sun. Corn and soybeans lined the roads on both sides with the occasional farmstead to break up the fields.
There were also the hills late in the race. I went from the thought of “Keep pushing so you can finish in under 4 hours” to “You might want to slow it down so you can live through this one!” The latter self-talk won out. By the time I started climbing the hills, the sun had sucked most of the life out of me and I walked up many of the hills. That was until I hit the “Mile 26” marker (which was on the final hill with a nearly 200′ ascent in just over a mile), at this point I knew the end was in sight and I could pick up the pace and finish strong.
I will say that it was kind of fun finishing in the dark…and by dark I mean out in the country with no street lights pitch dark! I wore my Tracer 360 vest in flashing mode and it was a lot of fun in that darkest of darks.
Even though this was by far the toughest race I have ever run, the people made it a great race. There were hand written notes from students in our packets, there were students manning the aid stations and encouraging each runner and the “medals” were wooden and were etched with my finishing place…Very cool! There was a dinner afterwards that was excellent and one of the directors from the school sat and talked with me about my training and such, genuinely trying to find out what goes into preparing for a marathon. All of the people involved were genuinely interested in who we were and what brought us to their little race in their little town in the Heartland. Even though it was the most brutal and challenging race I have ever run to date, it was the people that made it what it was, a great race.

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All of my running friends that had run Grandma's told me "You'll love it!" "You'll likely PR" "It's a beautiful course". All of these were true! It was a beautiful … MORE

All of my running friends that had run Grandma’s told me “You’ll love it!” “You’ll likely PR” “It’s a beautiful course”. All of these were true! It was a beautiful course, although the fog was heavy and rolling in and out the entire race. At some points it was like something out of a movie scene with the runners ahead of me disappearing into the fog! All of that aside, it was a great course, perfect weather, great aid stations and wonderful crowd support!
I set my mind on hitting a BQ pace which would be a PR for me. This was the most consistent marathon I have run. I hit my BQ PR even with two, count them, two porta potty stops!! My wife was there, on our anniversary, mind you, cheering me on and telling me to keep it up as I was on pace to hit my BQ! She ran (and she is NOT a runner) from somewhere around mile 24 or 25, across the course to see me finish. She said I almost beat her to the finish!
I highly recommend this one whether you are a first timer or have many under your belt, you too will not be disappointed!

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Fayetteville is a beautiful, historic town and we enjoyed both the downtown area and the Airborne Museum on our visit. The town and base were pretty easy to navigate and … MORE

Fayetteville is a beautiful, historic town and we enjoyed both the downtown area and the Airborne Museum on our visit. The town and base were pretty easy to navigate and there were plenty of great dining options. The race was somewhat challenging with the wind and heavy mist at the start of the race but once the rain stopped, the cooler temps were appreciated by me, especially later in the race. I had the honor of running along side of a young Airborne Ranger for about 24 miles. The conversations we had were both moving and engaging as we talked about his service to our country, his training and his tours of duty. I was totally spent toward the end of the race (around mile 25) when I saw a double amputee veteran running up ahead. I became so overcome with emotion that I nearly threw up. It was truly an honor running along men and women that have served and are serving our country well. There was also a stretch of highway just before entering Ft. Bragg that honored those that were lost in action. I was moved to tears as we passed pictures with name and rank as well as a flag honoring each of those brave soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom. At the finish line, we were greeted with a large medal, a blanket with the All American logo on it, and a metal insulated tumbler that holds about a half a pot of coffee! If you’re patriotic and don’t mind a few hills, this is a great race with plenty of swag.

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1 member marked this review helpful. Agree?

Let me preface this by saying that this is our all time favorite vacation spot so when I heard they were going to have a marathon on the island, I … MORE

Let me preface this by saying that this is our all time favorite vacation spot so when I heard they were going to have a marathon on the island, I jumped at the opportunity and was one of the first to sign up. If you’re looking for a marathon that has streets lined with cheering crowds, this one is not for you. It is a smaller marathon on a beautiful historic island that is mainly populated with retirees this time of year. If you’re looking for a fairly flat and fast marathon with beautiful scenery and historic “cottages” along the route, this is a great choice. The marathon started along the beachfront with a beautiful view of the sunrise as the National Anthem was sung. It was chilly that morning, 36 degrees at the start, but the sun was shining brightly and I shed my jacket around mile 5. The course support was good with ample aid stations, porta potties and fantastic volunteers. The course winds through Jekyll Island’s beautiful pathways and even through the historic district with views of the Jekyll Island Club and many of it’s historic “cottages”. The beauty of the island is stunning and it made the miles just seem to drift by for me. There was even a bell to ring for a PR which I proudly rang after I crossed the finish line. The food offerings at the finish were good and diverse for a small marathon. The medals were also good for an inaugural marathon. While I am on a quest to finish all 50 states and have vowed that I wouldn’t do any state repeats until after I have achieved my goal, this is one I may make an exception for!

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