Today’s photo is a photogenic squirrel from Mammoth Cave National Park.

Dude, you seen my nut?

Today, I bring to you the final Jenny’s barn of the day. May it make you as happy looking at it as it made us when we drove by it!

Now that it has been a couple days since I ran the Kentucky Derby Marathon, I have had time to sit back and reflect on the experience.

First off, I had a great time running a beautiful course. I am not at all unhappy with my 3:50 time due to the unfamiliarity and difficulty of the course. All of the people I encountered were friendly and encouraging. With the loss of training by running the Gasparilla Marathon 2 months ago and all the running we did while vacationing, I was not seriously expecting to run a great time even though I gave it a go.

So, the time was not what I wanted. That means there were plenty of lessons learned that can be used later. The major thing that killed me this race was pacing. I had planned on running the hills around 7:30 pace, downhills about 7:00, and flats about 7:15. Well, the first four miles of the race went through Iroquois Park which is very hilly. Plus, we drove part of the park beforehand so I knew what the hills were like. So, what do I do? I blast through the park averaging 7:15 all the way! Not the smartest thing, it is very hard to hold back when it feels easy. Miles 4-13 were not as flat as I thought to be so that probably took a bit of a toll as my mile splits slipped into the 7:20s which still felt comfortable. My time at 13.1 miles was 1:34. That is fastest time at the halfway point of a marathon by over a minute. Again, not smart! Miles 13-16 was a steady incline leading to the large hills of Cherokee Park for miles 16-19. By the time I entered Cherokee Park, my legs lost their spring and I started walking up steeper portions to preserve myself. The rest of the race was mostly flat. The 2nd Street Bridge at 21 miles isn’t that much of an incline.

So what should I have done? Probably should have started out the race running 7:30-7:45 miles in Iroquois Park then pick it up until trying to do the same in Cherokee Park.  It is quite hard to slow yourself down what feels comfortable at the beginning of a race with the rush of adrenaline and the flow of runners around you. Starting further back in the field may be a good way to help this so you can’t go any faster.

So, what went right? My fueling and hydration strategy was good. I knew they were supplying small bottles of water at most aid stations, so I just kept one with me most of the time and took little sips when I got thirsty or poured over my head. I ate my five strawberry/banana GUs at miles 6, 10, 14, 18, and 22 which worked well. I put down some Powerade in the last 6 miles as I craved it.

My Newton Running Distance Racers performed well again. No foot pain or blisters. Even when they were soaking wet, they were still comfortable. Plus, they dried out well as the race wore on. At least with the rain and dirt, they have lost that really bright green new look to them.

Another thing that went right was my attitude. I try to make each marathon an experience making having fun the first priority over time. Even though I am running at a decent pace, I try to look around at the scenery. When my legs were tiring and I knew I wasn’t going to hit my goal time, I decided to enjoy as much around me as possible whether it was the scenery, other runners, aid station workers, police officers, and spectators. A lot of these people don’t expect a simple thank-you for handing you a cup of water or blocking traffic.

The marathon was well run with easy packet pickup and a small but good expo. It was smart of them, but odd to be herded through all the vendors. Getting to the starting line was easy with driving to the start and easy for Jenny drive to different parts of the course. That was defiantly better than riding the bus from downtown. The course was scenic with decent spectator support.The finisher medal is nice and is proudly displayed.

Only a couple of suggestions I would make to enhance the race. Aid stations were every two miles or so which was fine for the first half of the race. I think they should have more frequent stations the last 6-8 miles. Another thing that could be better is the post-race food. There was the basics of water, powerade, bananas and bagels. The bagels were fairly dry as I threw mine away after one bite. CHOCOLATE MILK!! Every marathon should have stockpiles of chocolate milk available. Nothing is better than slamming 2-3 bottles after running.

The Kentucky Derby Marathon is an enjoyable race and I would be happy to go back and give it another go. If you are looking for a challenge in a state with friendly people and pretty scenery then run this one!

Well, we made it home at 5AM this morning after a more than 800 mile drive from Elizabethtown, KY. After getting camp packed up and loaded, we headed down the road to Cave City to meet up with some of our Kentucky family to have lunch at Cracker Barrel. We left camp at 12PM. On the way there, we crossed into the Central Time Zone and both Jenny’s and my mouth dropped as we realized that we were meeting at 1PM cst which meant we would be waiting for an hour. Everyone showed up and we had a great lunch (thanks Howard and Teresa)!! Everything worked out perfectly as we got to Atlanta just after dark which is good because the drive through Georgia and Florida is kind of ugly. We also missed the nasty storms going through central Florida.

Unfortunately, my Powerball tickets did nothing for me, so we grudgingly left Cave City at 4PM. We entertained ourselves looking out for barns for Jenny to take pictures of and looking at the pretty scenery. Kentucky moves up to the top of my list as one of my favorite places to drive. I love North Carolina, but the mountain roads do get a little tiring after a while. I told Jenny that I would have no problem living up there.

I got some Mega Millions tickets, so maybe we will win and be forced to go back.

What a mob! Our herd posing with Howard and Teresa and their herd outside Cracker Barrel. - Teresa, email me and I will send you the photo.

We saw this one off the exit to Cave City. I drove Jenny up the people's driveway to get this one.

This is the only actual building we saw that had the "See Rock City" on the roof. Jenny was stressing she wouldn't see one.

This is at the back of a rest area just before Mount Eagle in Tennessee. Nicest rest area I have ever been to.

Well, if the hills separate the men from the boys, then I must be a little girl. We don’t have hills like that in Florida. Iroqouis Park wasn’t bad, but Cherokee Park had more up and down than a roller coaster. I think the elevation chart on the marathon site was really wrong. If those hills were 1% and 2% grade then I am going to win the lottery tonight (I still hope I win the lottery though).

Here’s the numbers. Finishing time 3:50:06-192 out of 722 males-36 out of 133 35-39 age group. I feel pretty good, just my right knee feels like it needs to be oiled.

I started of well, but was probably keeping a little too fast of a pace the first ten miles. It was great seeing Jenny and the kids as I entered and left Churchhill Downs, as I started up the 2nd Street Bridge and the finish. For once I got to see faces I know a few times! I told Jenny at mile 11 that I didn’t know how it was going to go as my legs were starting to feel off sooner that they should have. By the time I got to 13 miles, I pretty much decided to just enjoy the run and the beautiful scenery as I knew I wasn’t going to be able to keep the pace up the hills in Cherokee Park. Those hills were the biggest I have ever run. I ended up employing a run/walk strategy which worked pretty well for a while. By the time I got to the bridge at mile 21, I was starting to fight cramps. Luckily, I was able to keep the cramps away, but couldn’t go very fast as they were pretty much shot. Through a few stops to stretch and my emergency salt tablet supply, I made it through and kept a smile on the whole time. I just tried to enjoy the run and the people along the course who were fantastic with a few offering water, oranges, and other goodies to runners.

The weather started out around 64 degrees and drizzly. Not the temperature you want, but the wet made it feel cooler. Unfortunately, the rain stopped and the stupid sun came out around mile 19 making it quite warm. Although I feel the marathon didn’t have enough water stops or as many as the other marathons I have done, they at least were handing out small bottles of water instead of cups. So, I always kept the bottle so I could splash over my head or take a sip.

Considering the course, I am not unhappy with my time. Probably could have paced better from the start, but no guts no glory, right? Up until mile 19 where the course enters the downtown area, the course was the prettiest I have run. The parks and neighborhoods were gorgeous.

As I feel that my aerobic capacity is good enough to run the kind of times I feel I should, I need to make an effort to build more strength in my legs to battle courses like this and run better on flat courses. I am planning my next marathon to be the Spacecoast Marathon in November.

After the race, we met up with Jenny’s friend Barb at the Louisville Zoo. Unfortunately, we didn’t go in because it was getting ready to rain. When then tried to go to a museum that wasn’t where it was supposed to be. We ended up at the Louisville Slugger Museum and took a factory tour. Everyone enjoyed getting together and getting out mini bats at the end of the tour.

Tomorrow, it is time to pack up camp and head for home (all 800 miles of it). Looking forward to seeing Howard & Teresa for lunch in Cave City! The rain is finally almost over. We had enough time to cook dinner before a big thunderstorm came through. At least we have a really good tent!

All in all, it has been a great week starting off with my first 5K win, going to some wonderful places, and finishing with a beautiful but tough run this morning.

Think getting up a 4AM was a little early for Emily.

The bugler from Churchill Downs gets everyone ready with the call to the starting gate.

Mile nine and feeling fine. Hey, this is pretty easy! Too bad those nasty hills are coming.

Stretching and a quick chat with Jenny at mile 21 before trudging over the bridge into Jeffersonville and back.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, off to Jeffersonville we go. Ugh!!

I at least saved up enough fo a decent looking finish.

Happy to be out of my soaked clothes and with my nice new finisher's medal.

Jenny and Barb at the Louisville Slugger Factory.

And lets not forget, Jenny's barn of the day!

I don’t know how some people get up so early every day. The only time I get up this early is to go to a race. I got a few hours sleep, so I don’t feel bad. It is not raining at the moment, but radar says we will be getting some in a bit. Looks like that may clear out by the time the marathon starts. That is good and bad. Good not having to run in the rain and Jenny won’t have to drive in it. The major problem of the day is going to be the temperature. Says Louisville is currently 62 degrees. That is getting on the warm side and is almost 20 degrees warmer than my last two marathons. Heat kills times. At least will be cloudy, so that is a plus.

Hope everyone has a good Saturday. I am ready to go out an enjoy a nice run. After the race, we plan on taking the kids to the zoo to meet up with a couple of Jenny’s friends. Unfortunately, we missed Jenny’s Edmonton family yesterday and will be meeting up with them tomorrow on our way out of town.

Time for breakfast of a bagel, banana, and coffee!

Well, marathon day is finally here and trying to get as ready as possible for whatever may come my way as far as hills, rain, heat and wind. So, I will give it a go and see what happens. Goal time is anything under 3:16 to qualify for Boston. We’ll see if I get close to that, but I will give it a good effort.

So, here is the plan. Run the hills at 7:30 pace, cruise the downhills at 7:00 or better and run the flats at 7:15-7:20. If this pans out, then it will be a great day. Either way, I am going to have to work for this one.

Didn’t do much today except for way more driving than I had planned. We ended up going to Louisville again so that I could drive the way Jenny needs to go to get from the starting line at Iroqouis Park to the finish in downtown. This is the first time I have done a point to point course. On the way to Louisville, we stopped of at the entrance to the Waverly Hills Sanitorium. If you watch “Ghost Hunters”, then you know all about this place. Unfortunately, the gate was closed and the only way to go in is with a scheduled tour. We could barely see the building at the gate, so we drove into a sub-division at the base of the hill and got a little better look. The place is huge. Maybe next time we come up, we will take a tour. We stopped off at the race expo to pick up short sleeve shirt that I can actually wear in Florida and found Jenny a Univ. of Kentucky shirt. We then headed to Fort Know on a wild goose chase to find a Tim Horton’s that should be there. I am guessing that it must be inside the army base.

Finally sitting down to have a big spaghetti dinner and get ready for the race in the morning. The weather is still looking nasty, but the rain may get through by race time. With the temperatures going to be in the 60’s, I would just about rather it rain to keep cool.

Imagine having Waverly Hills Sanitorium as your backyard view!

Entrance to the Fort Knox army base.

Jenny's barn of the day. Wasn't too many that we drove by today.

We drove up to Louisville to pickup my race packet. On the way, we stopped off at Churchill Downs. We also drove a little in Iroqouis Park so I could preview a little of the course. Those hills aren’t so small. I was told that the hills in Cherokee Park are bigger. So, between the rain, wind and hills, guess we will see how the marathon goes.

The highlight of the day was spending part of the afternoon in Jenny’s hometown of Charlestown. The kids got to see the Methodist Church Jenny’s Grandfather preached in and the parsonage she lived in for a while. We walked down to the cemetery where Indiana’s first Governor is buried. We also saw the house he lived in. We then headed over to the city park to let the kids on the playground.

Tomorrow, we are planning on heading down to Edmonton to see some of Jenny’s family. And hopefully, I will get some rest and be ready to go Saturday.

Barbaro statue in front of the entrance to Churchill Downs.

Charlestown United Methodist Church.

The church parsonage.

See that bent rung? Imagine Jenny's five year old head stuck in there!!

Jenny's barn of the day. This one was taken speeding along I-65 at 75 MPH. Jenny is getting good at taking these!

Weather forecast for Saturday morning is looking nasty unless we get some divine intervention. Calling for heavier rain during the race. Maybe I will run in galoshes instead! Guess we will see what happens. Whatever is in store, I plan to try for the best time possible. Oh, did I mention they are saying it is going to be windy also?