Coming Full Circle

One year ago today, Jenny and I were on a secret mission. We were quietly making our way to Indianapolis for sweet, sweet redemption. We were ready to overcome Jenny's first marathon and make this one county.

We came and we achieved. Together, we finished the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon this weekend last year. It was our second marathons and I was honored to assist Jenny in this pursuit. It was an amazing day and I was so happy for Jenny.
That was my last marathon. I've been busy this year: two half Ironman triathlons, an Olympic triathlon and new PRs in the 5K and half marathon distance.

It's time, one year later, to return to the long run. The early mornings, the ice baths and the chafing. The adrenaline, gu and medal.

More than anything, I'm ready for the pursuit. Surely I've challenged myself this summer, but the marathon continues to hold a spot in my heart that just needs to have light shined on again.

So it's only natural that when I speak of coming full circle, I'm talking about tackling the Circular Logic Marathon. I found this race online a few weeks ago and it caught in my mind.

It sounds crazy - 26 one-mile loops in a park near Purdue. How exciting can that be?

It turns out, it can be pretty cool. This race recap inspired me to give it a try.

On the downside, there's a lack of change and it will be monotonous. On the upside, it cost me $45, I'll never be more than a mile away from a bathroom, I'll pass an aid station every mile and I'll have my own water bottles and fuels. I ran the Heatbreaker Indoor Half Marathon last summer where I met the lovely Millers, which was easily a highlight of that race for me. Straight up, it was kind of boring and painful because it took three loops to equal a mile (not great for the hips) and music was not permitted. If I could do that half marathon, certainly I can do a marathon with one-mile loops.

Here's to coming full circle with circular logic.