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You are here: Home / 5 in 5 / State #26: New Mexico – Half Marathon 5 of 5!

State #26: New Mexico – Half Marathon 5 of 5!

March 25, 2013 by MCM Mama 20 Comments

Short story:  I finished and I finished STRONG!

Long story:

The fifth and final day of the Dust Bowl Series was being run at Clayton Lake State Park.  The park was about 25 minutes outside of Clayton, New Mexico, so we had to get up seriously dark and early Friday morning.  I made a PB&J in the hotel room and then we headed out. When we pulled into the parking lot, I realized it was going to be a hilly sort of day.  I was right.

NM_start

This race had a short loop and then four longer loops, which included the smaller loop.  As we headed out on the first loop, I knew I was going to hate this course.  We ran down an uncomfortably steep hill and then onto a dirt path.  The path led us out onto a dam, where we were completely unprotected by the wind.  I was not a happy camper.  Then we came back and went down the dirt path, back up the nasty hill and out the longer end of the loop.  We would then run the longer part, back through the finish, up the shorter loop, and back to the finish – 4 times.  I was completely confused at first and honestly pretty unhappy.  Of course, the longer loop started with a long uphill and then headed onto a really rocky dirt path.  I was convinced I was going to hurt myself (and in fact, at one point I tripped over a rock and did about 20 steps with helicopter arms before I managed to pull myself upright.)  As I was finishing the first loop, I was ok with my pace, but I didn’t feel like it was going to be a good race.  And then I got to what had been the long uphill and realized it was an awesome downhill.  I opened up completely and FLEW down the hill.  It was exhilerating!  After a short jog, I hit the steep downhill and opened up again.  After that, I was on a major runner’s high!

I handed my gloves to Beer Geek at one point (he was hiking around the area). I also stopped at to switch hats and take off my arm warmers. I embraced the uphills and flew the downs.  I quickly figured out where I needed to just plod along.  I didn’t love the rocks, but as it turns out, the rest of the  course totally played to my strengths.

NM_race

I rocked the race.  From about mile 2 on, I felt incredibly strong.  I had a smile plastered on my face the whole time.  Several other runners even commented on how strong I looked.  I was tired in the last mile, but I knew I’d already completed 64 miles.  I told myself it was ok if it hurt at that point.  And then I was done.

nm_finish

65.5 miles in 5 days and I ran the last 13.1 in 2:25:59!

NM_medal

Dust_Bowl_5_days

And, since 65.5 miles in 5 days wasn’t enough, Beer Geek and I walked a steep 1 mile walk around the rim of Capulin Volcano.

capulin_volcano

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Filed Under: 5 in 5, 50 states, Dust Bowl Series, half marathons

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Comments

  1. Teresa says

    March 25, 2013 at 7:11 am

    YOU. ARE. AMAZING.

    Reply
  2. Walking Tom says

    March 25, 2013 at 7:41 am

    Wonderful – we get vicarious pride from your accomplishment.

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    March 25, 2013 at 7:54 am

    You are seriously amazing! Congrats on your strong finish. You should try the Capulin Half Marathon sometime!

    Reply
  4. Kim says

    March 25, 2013 at 8:06 am

    You are a complete and total rock-star in my book!!!
    What an accomplishment – you should be so proud of yourself!!!

    Reply
  5. Indi says

    March 25, 2013 at 8:42 am

    Awesome awesome job!! Amazing what you the body can do when you need it to! COngrats on a major accomplishment!
    Indi recently posted…Alligator, Boat Ride and Oh….a 100mi DNFMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Michael says

    March 25, 2013 at 8:48 am

    Wow, wow, wow! Just truly amazing! Your 5th half in 5 days and what a strong finish! I’m super, super impressed. I messed your #4 recap so I’m going to find it now. Great job!
    Michael recently posted…Melt It Off Monday – The Introductory VersionMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Carrie says

    March 25, 2013 at 9:13 am

    Rockstar!!! Congrats!
    Carrie recently posted…Wordless Wednesday {200th Post}My Profile

    Reply
  8. Lisa says

    March 25, 2013 at 9:35 am

    congrats. you should also feel good about doing so well at high altitude. I’m not positive what the altitude in Clayton is, but I’m sure it’s much higher than DC and may have been the highest of the 5 states. Well done!
    Lisa recently posted…Wind, wind, go away…My Profile

    Reply
  9. Ashley says

    March 25, 2013 at 9:43 am

    Congrats!! You deserved those downhills!!

    Reply
  10. Running LIbrarian says

    March 25, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    Wow! Glad you enjoyed your crazy running adventure! Great job!
    Running LIbrarian recently posted…5 things FridayMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Ang says

    March 25, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    So. Dang. Cool!!!!

    You are a rockstar!!!!
    Ang recently posted…A Fun FirstMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth says

    March 25, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    Congrats! I’ve really enjoyed hearing about your experience and I am tempted to do this next year as my sister-in-law lives in Fort Worth and my husband’s parents live in Albuquerque. Anyway, I think it’s awesome that you had such a strong finish to your adventure. Congrats again!
    Elizabeth recently posted…Resort Running: Colorado SpringsMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Char says

    March 25, 2013 at 7:29 pm

    That is fantastic! You must be on such a high now.

    I just love how you went from wondering if you could even finish to just blasting through 5 half marathons in five days.
    Char recently posted…Still LearningMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Andrea says

    March 25, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    Very inspiring. I loved following this. Thanks for getting your posts up so quickly.
    Andrea recently posted…Swim Swim Swim Swim RUN Swim BooksMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    March 25, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    Absolutely amazing! What an awesome job – congrats!!
    Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…What’s in my fitness closet?My Profile

    Reply
  16. Laura says

    March 26, 2013 at 12:28 am

    Your journey through this has been nothing short of inspiring. Congrats on the miles and races and an incredible accomplishment.

    P.s. you earned massive points in my book. PB&J is my favorite, and I eat it at least 5 times a week.

    And for the record, you ran more miles in 5 days then I have ever ran in 7. I think my highest mileage week I have ever had for just running miles was 62ish. YOu are AWESOME.
    Laura recently posted…Around the Bay 30kMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Nicki says

    March 26, 2013 at 6:37 am

    Way to go and go and go and go and go! You did it!
    Nicki recently posted…Weekends, Races and a WinnerMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Suzanne says

    March 27, 2013 at 11:09 am

    Congratulations on finishing so strong on Day 5!

    Reply
  19. Stimey says

    March 28, 2013 at 10:54 am

    *slow clap* Phenomenal. Really amazing. I’m so glad I saved all of these to read together. What an incredible week for you. You are so inspiring to me.
    Stimey recently posted…He’s Right Behind Me, Isn’t He?My Profile

    Reply
  20. Ramada Hotel says

    April 24, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    I love running half marathon as well! Great job with your running and keep it up! Are you planning to run a full marathon soon? I am going to try this year to run the Utah Marathon… hopefully I can make it! Good luck to you!

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

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