Winter Loops 2019 Photos 44 Mile Drive 2019 Winter Loops had awesome very enthusiastic volunteers. They took great race setup shots.  This year Winter Loops was beautiful, challenging and fun as always.  I knocked some time off my two-hour loops for my nine miles. I loved the "Runners X-ing" sign and the guy manning that area was awesome.  Half way through the run I got pain on the sides of my feet.  I ran through it. I discovered huge blisters on both feet when I got back to the car and took my shoes off. They took a few days to heal. I must have had bad friction. The blisters were a first for me.  We got beanies and medals just like last year with hot soup and a wood burning fire awaiting us at the finish.  I really like Move-It Fitness as a race company.  They do a lot of trail runs in the Rochester area including a 24 hour Twilight Zone run!  They have great course locations, staff, trail markings, course distances and swag!   Rochester Hills Page

   Burton Hot Fudge Run & Walk 2019 Photos 69 Mile Drive The 2019 Hot Fudge Run had medals!  The Burton Race Series usually only gives out shirts and age group medals until the series medal in November.  This year they added a finisher medal to The Hot Fudge Run!  I also got an awesome white camping mug with my registration. I love the bright and super soft green shirt this year.  I think their hot fudge logo is better this year than last. The course was changed a little.  We didn’t go over the awesome overpass this year.  We crossed a train track instead heading north through different subdivisions.  It was still a very flat course.  They warned us we may have to stop for a train.  I was lucky and did not.  I beat my time from last year but still came in just short of placing at fourth place again. The chocolate dipping station post-run with marshmallows, fruit and graham crackers was delicious. We got an amazing Olive Garden dinner on the way back home.    Burton Page

   Winterfest 5K 2019 Photos 24 Mile Drive The 2019 Winterfest had an amazing post-race pancake breakfast and the one of the best and warmest run shirts. I loved their "Running is for Lovers" motto. I loved the race dogs. I saw huge dogs!  I got to see Randy unexpectedly out volunteering in the last quarter mile. He brightened my spirits. I also met Suzy for the first time at the start line.  I felt like the miles went by really fast as I came up to the markers on the course.  When I finished my time reflected this phenomenon.  This was a first for me.  My friends being at the run must have been inspiring.  My family had a really nice time watching the indoor awards ceremony with a very full breakfast.  It was a nice flat course through neighborhoods that finished through a small park.   Southgate Page

   Groundhog Marathon 2019 Photos 148 Mile Drive The 2019 Groundhog’s Day Marathon was the scariest experience I have had at a run.  I wore two layers of pants.  I had a thin black underlayer and a thick black Brook’s pant Jason had bought me to keep me warm from the Playmaker's store in Lansing.  I dressed too warm.  I felt nice and cozy at the start, which I now know is not what you want at a winter run.  With two miles left I couldn't feel the left side of my butt. It then became very painful and then went totally numb again. It was scary!  I could see the lights of the pavilion in the far distance and was panicked I wouldn't make it back.  I was alone and there were very limited volunteers on the course scattered in the first two miles.  On the plus side, the course along the river at night was very beautiful. I was also really excited about the awesome run hoodie.  It was Jason's 33rd birthday the next morning. I pulled my mental state together as best I could and