Grand Island Trail Half Marathon

I ran my third half marathon this summer! The Grand Island Trail Marathon was absolutely amazing and worth the high price tag ?

It’s a little crazy how I spent the night in Munising – one of my Instagram friends (hi Jane!!!) told me they go to a cabin in the U.P. every year and that she’d let me know when they were going. We were going to hang out for a day and get food and hike or something – you know, the usual internet friend meet up! When my hotel plans fell through the day before I went up, Jane graciously offered me a place to stay in their cabin and it was an absolute blast.

Yep, both of our parents were a little freaked out and slightly mad that we were going to meet someone we met on the internet (“You don’t even know this girl!”). Jane and I both knew it would be fine and a phone call made our parents a little more okay with it. Technology is amazing!

First thing when I drove up to Munising (first big girl trip by myself!) was some ice cream and then a little hike with Jane and her family!

After that we went back to the cabin and swam before having dinner. Lake Superior is definitely still cold.

We went to bed a little late and I got about 5 hours of sleep for the race, but sometimes you just gotta have fun ?

Race time!

Since the race is on an island, all the participants take a ferry over. It was a little bit of a wait but what can you do!Here is the start line!I ran with my friend Holly for a while but towards the end she went crazy fast while I struggled to keep going ?

One mile is completely on the beach! The course overall was fairly flat but still a challenge.

I’m definitely the person that stops during a race for a picture. Especially when you’re 12 miles in and legs are shutting down.This sure was a beautiful sight to see.The finish was GREAT and they had homemade fig newtons, fruit, juice, and energy bites.

My first half was on pace to be sub-2 but I kind of didn’t feel like pushing it so the second half I took easy and had fun! Well.. as much fun as I could. It was HOT.

After taking the ferry back we got food! Falling Rock Cafe hit the spot after running 13.1 miles.

Then I went shopping and bought myself a pair of Chaco’s.

Good. Decision.

I also got some ice cream with my friend Calla!

And by the time I was heading for home I was hungry again so I had a picnic by myself. PB&J, egg salad on rye, and a chocolate milk has never tasted so good.

And later that night when I got home some of my friends and I had another picnic. So random and totally unplanned, but those always make for the best nights.

Yep…. still have my race shorts on.I hadn’t felt that exhausted from one day in a long time, but all the memories made definitely make it all worthwhile.