Cheryl's Cedar Rapids NewBo RUN, Half-Marathon... Complete!

NewBo Half Marathon. 

Next to the NewBo Market. 

Greetings from Iowa....  Oh,wait!   We live in Iowa.   I should say:  "Greetings From Cedar Rapids, Iowa.   A different city from our normal haunts.  Cedar Rapids was one of the first reasons we moved to Iowa in the first place,  but that was long ago, and the reasons have changed that would keep Cedar Rapids on our list for possible home front status.   But I digress...

Running Store next to Pottery
Shop....? What does this mean?

Way too early... 

We have not been to Cedar Rapids in a long time,  choosing to simply pass through on our way to other races...  But today,  Cheryl discovered a (cheap!) Half Marathon in our own backyard!  (Cedar Rapids is only a little over an hour away from us here in Wellman.) It seemed quirky and novel,  so why not give it a go.   Besides, Cheryl had nothing on the calendar for this weekend, and a race is a race after all....  And a Half Marathon to boot!   ( And it was Cheap!)

Picking up the Bib. 

Pinning on the Bib. 

The only issue was really the weather and early start.  Another 4 A.M. rise and shine,  out the door by 5 A.M.   The weather was VERY cooperative,  keeping the temps low,  the clouds up,  and the humidity at tolerable levels.  It was really about as close to perfect for this time of year as we could expect for Iowa.

Clouds block the sun. 

Seems like good running conditions. 

The course was mostly a gravel trail.   For this reason,  I could only get Cheryl at the start and finish.   It was pretty much an out and back loop anyways,  so there were no opportunities to run ahead and see her at various locations. I was forced to wait an 1:41:00 minutes for Cheryl to come back.

Cheryl waves. 

Cheryl runs by. 

Lots of People!   Most probably were running the 10 K though.  

Train on the course!   TWICE! 

There was also a train  that crossed the course near the finish line.... TWICE!   I felt bad for the half-Marathoner that got stuck waiting for the train to cross the road.   She was possibly looking for the best time,  coming in the top 10 females as it was...

Cheryl runas towards the Finish. 

Coming in at 1:41:00.

Speaking of time,  Cheryl pulled off a slightly "good-ish" time for the race.   Not a PR, but better than average.   Still, with all those advantages I mentioned previously, you would think she would get a new PR AND win a First Place  age group award....  But I guess it was not in the cards for today.

Showing off the
finisher's medal.

I blame Cheryl and her non-chalant attitude.   Without the usual excuses,  she had nothing to fall back on to blame for her "loser attitude".   Oh,  Sure....  there is the Job.. and lack of successful training runs;  but that is only mental.

Made out of Cermic!

 I guess you could also throw in that she was not wearing the Nike Super shoes,  was running on gravel, and the shoes she was wearing were heavy, soft, and not really meant for speed. (More trail shoe and not road shoe.)

Major Award!

Ceramic Mug!  3rd place Non-winner. 

Still,  she somehow brought home a third place trophy for her efforts.   A nice ceramic mug/glass thingy.  Perhaps it is because the Run Store was right next to the Ceramic Artist Studio there.  She was disappointed that she did not get first place in the "old person" category. ( Er,  age group category...Female over 40)

What kind of People were even at this race? 

But the nice weather lifts all boats and I'm sure the other old ladies, I mean, women slightly younger than Cheryl... were able to rally their forces to pull off a better performance.  That is what she gets for wanting better competition.

I like cheese... And BEER! 

Art show was going on. 

At the same time as the race,   there was an Art show.   I do not miss those days of Craft fairs and art shows at all.   I see many painters trying to sell their stuff to people who admire but simply can't afford their prices.   It used to be demoralizing for us.   I wish them the best of luck!

Time for some Beverage!

Cheryl samples
the Beer. 

Still,  we had a good time.  And the beer and treats were pretty good.  We loved the pretzel rolls and the breakfast burrito was very tasty.  The beer was local, and we may have to consider trying that brand in the future.  Both Cheryl and I agreed it was "worthy of future purchase."

And pastries. 

So Cheryl completed the race with a "good enough" time and a "Third Place Age group Award"   The weather was pleasant and the area of the race was nice.   Cheryl said the trail was very scenic. And did I mention that the Race was Cheap!   Perhaps we will go back with our bikes someday and explore the area further. 

She looks kinda happy. 

Hope everyone is having a fine weekend so far.   Both of us are rather tired so we may have to play the rest of the afternoon by ear.  It seems a waste to not be doing something outside in this fine weather....  especially since we only have three days to enjoy it.   But weekends are meant to be days of recovery.    So,  doing something restful may be what we need most.   Thanks for stopping in.