Cheryl Climbs Mount Everest! And Eats A Bagel.

Everest Champion! 

With Medals to Prove it!

Cheryl completed the Polar Dash Everest Challenge yesterday!  For those not in the "know",   The Everest Challenge is running three races back to back.   One half marathon,  One 5K and One 2019M run.   The Yeti Challenge was similar only it replaced the Half Marathon with a 10K.   (Wimpy!)   Even though the medal was cool...  She wanted the "TRUE" Challenge!

Cool Morning Temps. 

Early Start.

It was perhaps the greatest day to run a race in the middle of Winter in Minnesota.   The start Temp was just around freezing with the eventual temps reaching almost to 50!  Unfathomable for Twin Cities in January!    There were 4 times the number of racers this year compared to last year.   Possibly BECAUSE  of the 25 degree difference.   We got lucky, because this is the second time we have done the Polar Dash and the temps smiled on us.   Compared to last week in Wisconsin, (Or last year!)   these temps were heaven.

Let's get Warm! Running! 

Cheryl is UP for the Challenge!

With three races to chat about and take pictures, there were PLENTY of opportunities to get Cheryl at each point.   ( Which I like...)   I took over 700 pictures ( many blurry, but most turned out ok.)   and have spent the better part of the evening last night trying to pic the best ones.    For the blog.... Of course.  (Because EVERYONE wants to see all of my awesome Pictures....  )

Half Marathon Start

Cheryl runs by.

I find that the animations work best to capture 40 or so pictures in one shot.   Mostly because I somehow manage to NOT capture the perfect shot.   (This is probably why I take so many.)

They did a good job with the Ice
Management. 

Cheryl runs by a second time!

Early morning,   Cold, but not terrible.   NO wind.    The race directors got the stuff going quick. ( A fine feature of the cold weather races that I have become appreciative of lately.)   No anthem,  No speeches.... Just "GO!"   And they were off!

Note the Cool Morning Cityscape. 

Cheryl is ready for a "High 5!" 

The race was a "Figure 8" course.   Meaning,  Cheryl goes out, makes a circle,  comes back,  makes another circle, and comes back to repeat.   I stood near the "start line" at mile 7 and captured her as she ran by,  and then ran up to mile 8.5 to get her again.   It was a great opportunity to get her with the city in the background.    ( Even though I missed it the first time around.)  I knew I would have the opportunity a second and third time when she ran the other races.

A Power Up Buttons.   

Upon finishing,  there was a little confusion on where to pick up the medal.   She just finished the Half marathon, but was told to pick up all 4 medals at the end of the 2019M.    In the mean time,  they would not give her any snacks to refuel between races....BECAUSE she did not have a finisher's medal.

Cheryl finishes the Half-er. 

No Medal ...No Food? 

Let's get her Bagel.

And a Hot Cocoa!

SO.... We traveled back to the Subie and picked up her Morning Blueberry Bagel.    She also changed into shorts while there because the temps had risen into the 40's by then.... ( And the Sun was fully out.)  We hopped back and prepared for the 5K. 

Notice she is wearing Shorts Now.  And the Cool
Cityscape behind her. 

Time for the 5K.

Same as the Half Marathon,   It was a quick start.   The 5K seems to be the most popular.   Possibly because it is long enough/short enough for most people.













  Cheryl though she was doing well there, despite having just run a Half Marathon.  ( 1:44: 55!   Awesome time!)  But the 5K was slower.   The distance was beginning to catch up with her.

The 5K begins.  

The 5K Finishes. 

By the time the 2019M came.   MANY people were gimping.   All those Yeti AND Half-ers were feeling the stiffness.   But she did it and was very happy in the end. 

Final 2019 M run.   Cheryl runs for the Finish!

Time for More Blueberry Bagel. 

Gas station Bagel is Probably better
anyway. 

After almost a full day or running,   we felt satisfied that we got the most out of our run ticket.   Sure, there was no beer,  and they were a little stingy with the food,  but she DID get a Polar Dash Fleece( something she LOVED when she got it last time.)  4 shiny medals to add to the "Monument to Cheryl's Achievement" wall,   And a cool Penguin hat! 

And a cool Hat!

Most Challenge Bling!

 The Yeti hat was for sale... But $30!   A little expensive for a race/challenge  we "technically" did not run/do.   However.... there is always the future.

The road home was dry and clear.   we made record time traveling and even had a moment to stop and buy Cheryl some Ice cream.   The sun was right at the Horizon line, making driving difficult, but when it finally dipped below the ridge,  we were almost home.  And Cheryl noted that there were no deer trying to touch the Subie.   It was a great day.

The Sun dips below the Horizon.

Warm temps for the Ride Home. 

With two races down (New Years Dash and the Polar Dash.) and a pile of medals to show for it.  Cheryl has discovered several things during this adventure.   ONE:   She can run multiple races in a single setting... and survive.    And TWO:    Running multiple races in a challenge event gives extra rewards!   More Bling and More Wearable bragging clothes!    Who wouldn't want that? 

 Cool View just before home.   We beat the  "Iowa Deer Time."

And so it goes that this may have opened a Pandora's Box for her.   There were many challenges that she actually DID but did not register for because she was uncertain if she would be able to do all of them.   With the Everest Challenge Complete,   She now KNOWS she is capable.    We shall see how things pan out this year for racing.     Thanks for stopping in.