The 2018 Great Saunter

New York, NY
Saturday, May 5, 2018 

Great Saunter #4
Weather - warm, sunny

Earlier this month, for number 66, did the Great Saunter.  The Great Saunter is a 32 mile walk around the island of Manhattan.  This is an annual event hosted by an organization known as Shorewalkers .


This was the fourth time doing the Great Saunter and also it was the second time doing it with my daughter.  We had good weather, and oh boy does that make a difference!  No rain :)


Since we were pre-registered, my sister and brother-in-law dropped us off at Fraunces Tavern early in the morning and we were on our way.  Fraunces Tavern is on the Lower Eastside of Manhattan and it is where the Great Saunter stated and finished.


Since both of us were "veteran Great Saunterers", we knew where bathrooms were, and where other important things, like a place to grab a coffee, were.  So we both looked forward to getting about four miles into the GS and we'd grab a coffee, to go of course.  It was part of our routine :)  However,  at mile four we discovered that the coffee shop was no longer there!  This was not good.  The coffee was definitely part of our GS experience and very anticipated.  So as we continued, the ONLY thing on my mind was where can we get a coffee!  Long story short, at mile 7.29 we found an Espresso Bar ant got two large lattes, to go of course :)


Okay, now we could resume enjoying the GS.  And we did.  It really is a great walk and a wonderful way to see New York City.

Favorite pic of the day...

George Washington Bridge

Not sure if I'll do this event again in the future. After seeing everything for the fourth time

2018 Georgia Half Marathon (Race Recap)

For number 73, did the 2018 Georgia Half Marathon.  It's been two years since I did a half - after doing this one, I remember why it's been so long.  They're hard.


I've been battling a knee problem for a few years now and even a few days before this race, I was still on the fence for switching to the 5K instead.  Two things helped me decide on doing the half:  a new knee brace and an absolute promise to myself that I would do no running during this race.


For once, I was true on the promise - I did no running in the race.  It worked.  The knee did not bother me outside of the 'normal' pain of doing these distance races.  The new knee brace was great! I was very pleased with it.


The best part about the race, pretzels and ice cold chocolate milk at the finish line:

Typically do not snack on these two things together, but after the race, the combination of the salty, sweet, and cold, really hit the spot!


 It was so good!!! 


Time: 3:01:33
Minutes/mile: 13:52

Epiphany Lutheran 5K (Race Recap)

For race number 72 I decided to do the Epiphany Lutheran 5K.  I always prefer participating in races that benefit a cause instead of the profits going to some corporation.


Epiphany Lutheran Church will be hosting a 5K Run on March 3rd to raise money for our youth trip to Houston this summer. Every three years, the Lutheran Church hosts a National Youth Gathering that attracts 30,000 high school age participants from around the country. This year, participants will be aiding in recovery efforts for the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey. All race profits will go toward alleviating the cost of this trip for families of our youth.


I did not pre-register for the race so I needed to sign up when I got there.   Gave them the money, got my t-shirt, and the woman said "the next race number is 238" and started to hand it to me.  My brain quickly wondered if race bib 239 was available so I asked.  She said "yes it is, would you like that one instead?"

I'm sure she wondered why, but didn't ask, and handed me race bib 239.  For my sisters and me, there probably is no other number, in all the numbers, that has as much meaning as this one.  Our dad passed away in 2007 and the number 239 immediately brings back fun, warm memories of him.  Dad had a joke, that he told many, many times, typically in a BBQ restaurant or anytime baked beans were being served.  He would say "you can only eat 239 of them".  Which would always warrant the response "why".  He would then get a gigantic grin on his face and say "because the next one is too farty"!    


As usual, did a combination of walking and running in this race, always aware of heart rate.  For me, no need to stay in the max heart rate range.  It was a good race, well except for the uphill parts.


I ended up placing 1st in the Male 60-69 category for the race.  However, there was only one person in that category!  :)