Gobbler Grind Marathon--Overland Park, Kansas

For some reason I kinda forgot to run this last week so today's marathon goal had be altered from a do'able 4:30 to just finishing. I'm pretty bummed considering how well my training had been going, but oh well. As Forrest Gump says, "Stupid is as stupid does".... and anyone who would take on this crazy course having abandoned training a week prior wins the dunce award! 

At the start of the Gobbler Grind Marathon along with the 5k'ers and Half'ers. It was pretty
congested until the half'ers finished but participants and support crews were very nice and happy.

 

Around Mile 16 we passed under Marty Road! I couldn't resist stopping for a 

nod to my husband (and feared I'd run out of willingness by the time I got back).

My very own peanut gallery waited and waited and waited for my arrival...

Seeing them as I approached the Mile 26 sign about choked me up!

 ...and gave me a big reason to smile.

About to cross the finish line as my cheerleaders yelled me in.

A PR by 5 minutes with a 4:48:49 finish. Ugly, but a lesson learned!

13 miles + 13 days = Gobbler Time

13 days until the Gobbler Grind Marathon! Today's 13-mile Long Run was done on new ground (for me). From Clinton's north end a.k.a. Lyons, I headed over the Mississippi River and north along the Great River Trail. It was a simple out-and-back route, but a gorgeous day for some alone time.

At the start of Mile 2, a couple of friendly neighborhood tractors wait alongside Hwy. 136.

The north bridge from Clinton over the Mississippi River to Fulton. I stayed on Hwy. 136

to the eastern-most edge of Fulton until turning north onto the Great River Trail for another 4.5 miles.

  

I couldn't resist a shot of my feet in the leaves.

Look at that magnificent trail! HEAVEN!!!!

This portion of the Great River Trail is a 2-lane road. The only traffic

the Pumpkin Guy greeted was myself and 2 vehicles.

The weather had started out very gray, but then the sun came out. Gorgeous!

Almost to the turn around point at Mile 6.5. Not sure what the withered,

dried pods were on this tree, but I think they're quite lovely.

The terrain had a crazy "northwoods" feel thanks to a stand of pine trees.

Odd, but cool 'cause I love the northwoods.

This picture really doesn't do the foliage justice. There was some great color out there today!

This is some canal, I'm assuming for irrigation purposes. Amid the trees

at the top, you can see some Mississippi River peak out.

I could not resist basking in the glow of these leaves!!! I soooo dig fall!

This is along the "main drag"/Hwy. 136 through Fulton. 

The approach to the river...

Heading up and over Old Man River. (I have to admit, I was just needing to breath).

The twin steeples of St. Ireneaus Church, as seen from the bridge. 

A pretty little picture on which to finish a run.