Five #hashtags for the Weekend

I have a very exciting weekend on the roster!

I'm heading to the Quad Cities (a cluster of four adjoining cities along the Mississippi River) for the Quad Cities Marathon. This event will always hold a very dear place in my heart since it was the site of my first marathon (in 2013 ).

Pre-race pic from the 2013 Quad Cities Marathon

I returned and ran on a relay team last year (recap HERE ), and it was such a surreal experience being back at the start line...and then running in with the team to the finish line. I seriously had tears in my eyes and that awkward half giddy smile (because I was so excited to be there) and half awkward ugly cry face (again, because I was so excited to be there). This year, I'm not only running on another relay team, but I'm also running the half marathon.

Last year's relay team...Lynn, Carie, myself, and Kristi

Here are Five #hashtags that I am embracing for this upcoming extravaganza:

#takemeback
Oh, The Quad Cities Marathon! How I love thee! As mentioned, this was the scene of my first marathon (recap HERE). I was truly blessed with a perfect "first marathon" experience. The weather was awesome, I managed my fuel like an expert, I never hit "the Wall," and even though I let myself walk a few times, I had no regrets. I even had a gentleman, Dean, run the final mile with me, all the while repeatedly shouting to the crowds of people,"Hey, this is Kim! It's her first marathon!" Yes, I felt like a celebrity. Then, as soon as we crossed the finish line, he grabbed a guy and immediately introduced us to each other...and told this guy that it was my first marathon. This guy was none other than Joe Moreno, the race director! Joe, then, congratulated me, and expressed his thanks to me for choosing the Quad Cities as my first marathon ((sigh)). It's a good thing I had just finished 26.2 miles and was slightly dehydrated, otherwise I would have been a blubbering mess. Seriously, how do you top that???

Approaching the finish line with Dean, my final mile hero

 #familyfirst
This will be a very significant race because all of us gals on the relay team are cousins. One of the gals, Jessica, is a seasoned marathoner (and a Quad Cities Marathon veteran as well). The other two gals, Rhonda and Kelly, have been running consistently in the past year or so but have not done many races (yet). This marathon will be their first time experiencing the 26.2 atmosphere. I am SO excited for all of them!

On a side note, Jessica's mother (our aunt, Linda) is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. We are going to be lifting her up as we knock out those 26.2 miles and are dedicating this race to her.

We got this!

#gobrightorgohome
That's right...I'm bringing this theme along with me and sharing it with the team. We're all wearing purple, and I will be in search of some funky purple-patterned headbands at the expo. Life is all about living, right? A huge part of living is NOT blending in, so I am sharing my #colorfreak (that's a bonus #hashtag for you) with the other gals.

This purple tank will be joining me at the QC marathon on Sunday

#halfcrazy
Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE the 13.1 distance? Well, this race will not only be run on a relay team, but I'm also continuing on after I hand off the baton and running the half marathon (the half marathon course splits off from the full course around mile 8.5). And, (cue the drum roll) this will be my 30th half marathon! So, yes, there's just a little bit of excitement in the air!

The IMT Des Moines Half Marathon...October 2008....my first-ever 13.1

#redemptionrun
Did you know I had a half marathon two weeks ago (recap HERE) that didn't end as well as I'd hoped? My energy putzed out on me (most likely due to an improper breakfast), and by the 10th mile I had pretty much given up. I still finished with a respectable time, but it was nowhere close to what I'm capable of doing. I landed a sub-2 hour finish in May (recap HERE), and it had been two years since that last happened. I'm in decent shape right now, and this will be an ideal course to spank another sub-2, and (hopefully) even a 13.1 PR. #fingerscrossed (another bonus #hashtag)

The medal from Park to Park Half Marathon, September 10th

So, do you think I have the makings of a great weekend? We're a little tense about the weather, though. Currently, there is some rain in the forecast, as well as thunder storms...but most of that appears to be happening in the afternoon, hopefully long after we are all in our cars heading back to our respective homes.

Have you ever run a marathon (or any race, for that matter), and gone back and done other events in subsequent years? Ever been on a relay team? 

I'm linking up with the DC gals (Mar and Courtney and Cynthia )for the Friday Five....I encourage you to check out their blogs, as well as the many other linked blogs for some great reading!