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Thank you in advance!

Arriving Seattle Tuesday, July 14.

Tuesday

• Arrive Seattle airport 1215pm, get rental car
• Visit Pike Place Market (grazing lunch), gum wall
• Check into hotel
• Visit Space Needle and surrounding area

Wednesday

• Drive Seattle to Port Angeles via Bainbridge Ferry
• Buy a skimboard (Walmart?)
• Crescent Lake area for lunch (picnic or Lodge)
• Hike to Marymere Falls
• Hike to Salmon Cascades
• Drive to Forks, check into Forks Motel, get groceries

Thursday (interchangeable with Saturday depending on weather)

• Tide pools at Kalaloch Beach 4
• Beach time, skimboarding, exploring – Beach 4, Beach 2, Ruby Beach, Tree of Life (one or more)
• Evening activity TBD - options: visit Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center area (to avoid crowds), La Push / First Beach, Second Beach sunset, wildlife drive, dinner and wander in Forks, or relax if needed

Friday

• Guided fishing trip on Hoh River 6am-1pm
• Light evening – rest and laundry, Second Beach sunset, dinner in Forks, cook salmon we caught, or drive around to find wildlife

Saturday (interchangeable with Thursday depending on weather)

• Bogachiel River hike, cook lunch on the hike
• Evening activity TBD – options: visit Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center area (to avoid crowds), La Push / First Beach, Second Beach sunset, wildlife drive, dinner and wander in Forks, or relax if needed

Sunday

• Lake Quinalt area hike – probably Maple Glade, or other
• Drive to Seattle airport for 620pm flight

Edit: formatting.

Race info

*Grandma's Marathon, Duluth, MN *Saturday, June 20, 2026 *26.2 miles x2 *11:19:42 (including the break between marathons) *Cool, humid, mix of clouds and sun

NOTE: The first marathon is unofficial and unadvertized. The second marathon is the actual Grandmas Marathon - a top 10 largest marathon in the US.

Goals The goal was to finish and have fun. Get the medal for the 50th Grandma's Marathon.

Training background I've been putting in lots of miles the last 4-5 years, over 2,000 miles per year. I had a great training cycle for a backyard ultra in April, took a short break after that race, and then trained for this double marathon. In my long runs leading up to the race I practiced a run-walk strategy to prepare for 50+ miles on roads. Four weeks before the race I did a 59 mile week, and three weeks before the race was a 50 mile week.

Race day I slept on a cot in my tent in the parking ramp of the convention center where the expo is. I got about three hours of sleep, and woke up at 1am. Put on all my gear, packed up my sleeping stuff and tent into the car, ate a bagel with honey, and headed over to the finish line for a 2am meet up. I got there about 1:58am and there were about 8 other runners there. One double runner had printed up unofficial bibs for those of us running the double - I picked number 33 for no particular reason. Then a few more runners joined us and we were 14 people, we took a group pic at the finish line, and we started the first of two marathons at 206am.

I anticipated a run-walk strategy, as we had about 5.5 hours to get to the start line. Instead, it was a slow and steady run about 11 minute pace. We ran together, sometimes would split into smaller groups, regroup, and separate again. The roads were “open” but very little traffic. We rarely used sidewalks in Duluth, and when we got out of town it was all highway running. About 8 miles in, a guy had set up an aid station for us, and we stopped there for about 7-8 minutes. We passed through the half marathon start line as the first buses of runners were arriving, and we got some cheers, some high fives, and some looks of “what is going on here?” After the half way point, we saw the sun rise over a foggy Lake Superior, and the course was starting to open up. We ran through aid stations preparing for the day, we thanked the volunteers in advance and said “see you in a few hours” and were able to fill our waters.

By the 20 mile mark, the group was pretty split up, and we had slow-ran almost all of it. I was with one other guy who I had spent time talking with earlier in the morning, and so we continued running, walking, and talking. We did some runner math and realized we had a LOT of time to get to the start line, so we started walking a lot more and aiming for 16 minute miles. We absolutely had to get to the start line by 735am when the wheelchair division would start. With about a mile left, a lady walked out of a campground and asked if she could walk with us to the start so she joined us. Then with a half mile to go a married couple on our double adventure caught us from behind. So the five of us rolled up to the start line area with the elites warming up and the wheelers arriving at the start line. It was about 7:20am, and I completed the first marathon in 5 hours 16 minutes.

Now I had about 40 minutes of break among 10,000 marathon runners. I had carried my gear check bag with me, including a dry singlet, dry socks, a cotton shirt to keep warm, sunscreen, and food. I changed my shirt, sorted everything, put on sunscreen, and then packed my vest and everything else into my gear check bag. Walked over to check the bag, went to the bathroom, drank a bunch of water.

I also realized I did not have enough fuel left for a full marathon that might take me 6 hours. Rather than panic, I accepted the situation and problem solved.

About 8am I got into the back of Corral B and set off on the return journey to the finish line. The sun was out, it was about 50F, with a slight tailwind. The Grandma’s course is sort of a straight line for the first 25 miles, and it was going to be nice to have the slight wind at our backs. The sun and clouds went back and forth, but it was humid and we were sweating. I ran the first mile and then implemented a run-walk strategy. I thought I would walk 3-4 minutes at the start of every mile, but it really became a “walk when I want” strategy going by feel and walking the slight but numerous uphills. Time did not matter, pace did not matter, it was all about finishing.

Knowing I didn’t have nearly enough nutrition for the run back, I started taking the free offerings from spectators and unofficial aid stations. This was my third Grandmas Marathon, so I knew there would be limited opportunity the first 17 miles, but once we got into Duluth there would be plenty of free food. I had my first Nerds gummy clusters, and they’re amazing! I was so happy to see that generous spectator again about 15 miles later and grab another pack. I will admit, I did find a new unopened Gu gel on the road, and picked it up to eat later (after I rinsed it off). I had four slices of watermelon, and some frozen pineapple chunks that were to die for.

My left hamstring started to tighten up twice, which is my body telling me I need salt. I had to walk more often until I found salty foods (Cheezits once, mixed nuts the other), but once I ate salt, it was fine within a minute and I could run more. A few times I thought I’d be walking the rest of the race, but the salt was the cure.

The atmosphere in Duluth is amazing, it’s a nine mile party. Bands, music, food, beer, cheers, etc. The first 17 miles or so is pretty remote with sporadic crowds, so it’s a big and motivating change when you get into town. The energy really helps push the runners along.

Throughout the actual marathon, I had my “Grandma’s Double” bib on my back. I got a lot of comments from other runners, and plenty of questions. Along the way I ran into a few other Double runners, and we would walk and chat, and then move on. This was my first marathon at more of a “party pace”, enjoying the crowd, gathering food and high fives, talking with other walkers. It was fun, but I was also ready to get it done and go find real food and some beer.

I finally finished, 5 hours and 24 minutes after starting my second marathon of the day. I was able to run most of the last two miles, and finished at a pretty solid 9 minute pace. I collected my huge 50th Grandma's medal, and had a big smile. Collected my gear bag, drank water and two chocolate milks, and started the ~1 mile walk back to my car.

Since I was camping in the parking ramp, I didn’t have access to a shower. So I toweled off and washed with a wet rag. Changed my clothes while hiding behind my car door, then got out my cot and sleeping bag and took an hour long nap right there in my parking spot without my tent. Then I got up, walked to a brewery for food and beer, and of course it was packed being so close to the finish line. I found a seat at the bar and chatted with three other runners about our day. In the evening I went to the post-race party for a concert of Prince music, and then some much needed sleep back in the parking ramp.

Fueling and gear Topo Atmos shoes, Salomon ultra vest, Black Diamond headlamp, a Nathan handheld water bottle held together with duct tape, and a pair of Goodrs.

In the first marathon I had 3 servings of Tailwind, a Bobo PB&J, an 8 ounce Gatorade, and a packet or two of maple syrup.

On the break I had a Salted Nut Roll.

In the second marathon I had two maple syrup packets, two scoops of Tailwind, blue Powerade from the aid stations, and a tremendous amount of food passed out by spectators and unofficial aid stations – bananas, watermelon, pineapple, pickles, mixed nuts, Nerds Gummy Clusters, Cheez-Its.

What went well *Getting to the start line of the actual marathon on time. *Surprise times – my 2nd marathon was only 8 minutes slower than the first. *Enjoying the day – focusing on atmosphere and fun instead of pace and time.

What I'd do differently *Bring more food, or have someone I know bring food to the start line.

Would I run this race again? *I’ve learned to “never say never,” but I don’t know that I’ll do a double marathon again. It was a great experience and I’m thrilled to know I can run 53 miles on roads at age 50, but once is probably enough.

Race info

*Grandma's Marathon, Duluth, MN *Saturday, June 20, 2026 *26.2 miles x2 *11:19:42 (including the break between marathons) *Cool, humid, mix of clouds and sun

NOTE: The first marathon is unofficial and unadvertized. The second marathon is the actual Grandmas Marathon - a top 10 largest marathon in the US.

Goals The goal was to finish and have fun. Get the medal for the 50th Grandma's Marathon.

Training background I've been putting in lots of miles the last 4-5 years, over 2,000 miles per year. I had a great training cycle for a backyard ultra in April, took a short break after that race, and then trained for this double marathon. In my long runs leading up to the race I practiced a run-walk strategy to prepare for 50+ miles on roads. Four weeks before the race I did a 59 mile week, and three weeks before the race was a 50 mile week.

Race day I slept on a cot in my tent in the parking ramp of the convention center where the expo is. I got about three hours of sleep, and woke up at 1am. Put on all my gear, packed up my sleeping stuff and tent into the car, ate a bagel with honey, and headed over to the finish line for a 2am meet up. I got there about 1:58am and there were about 8 other runners there. One double runner had printed up unofficial bibs for those of us running the double - I picked number 33 for no particular reason. Then a few more runners joined us and we were 14 people, we took a group pic at the finish line, and we started the first of two marathons at 206am.

I anticipated a run-walk strategy, as we had about 5.5 hours to get to the start line. Instead, it was a slow and steady run about 11 minute pace. We ran together, sometimes would split into smaller groups, regroup, and separate again. The roads were “open” but very little traffic. We rarely used sidewalks in Duluth, and when we got out of town it was all highway running. About 8 miles in, a guy had set up an aid station for us, and we stopped there for about 7-8 minutes. We passed through the half marathon start line as the first buses of runners were arriving, and we got some cheers, some high fives, and some looks of “what is going on here?” After the half way point, we saw the sun rise over a foggy Lake Superior, and the course was starting to open up. We ran through aid stations preparing for the day, we thanked the volunteers in advance and said “see you in a few hours” and were able to fill our waters.

By the 20 mile mark, the group was pretty split up, and we had slow-ran almost all of it. I was with one other guy who I had spent time talking with earlier in the morning, and so we continued chatting and talking. We did some runner math and realized we had a LOT of time to get to the start line, so we started walking a lot more and aiming for 16 minute miles. We absolutely had to get to the start line by 735am when the wheelchair division would start. With about a mile left, a lady walked out of a campground and asked if she could walk with us to the start so she joined us. Then with a half mile to go a married couple on our double adventure caught us from behind. So the five of us rolled up to the start line area with the elites warming up and the wheelers arriving at the start line. It was about 7:20am, and I completed the first marathon in 5 hours 16 minutes.

Now I had about 40 minutes of break among 10,000 marathon runners. I had carried my gear check bag with me, including a dry singlet, dry socks, a cotton shirt to keep warm, sunscreen, and food. I changed my shirt, sorted everything, put on sunscreen, and then packed my vest and everything else into my gear check bag. Walked over to check the bag, went to the bathroom, drank a bunch of water.

I also realized I did not have enough fuel left for a full marathon that might take me 6 hours. Rather than panic, I accepted the situation and problem solved.

About 8am I got into the back of Corral B and set off on the return journey to the finish line. The sun was out, it was about 50F, with a slight tailwind. The Grandma’s course is sort of a straight line for the first 25 miles, and it was going to be nice to have the slight wind at our backs. The sun and clouds went back and forth, but it was humid and we were sweating. I ran the first mile and then implemented a run-walk strategy. I thought I would walk 3-4 minutes at the start of every mile, but it really became a “walk when I want” strategy going by feel and walking the slight but numerous uphills. Time did not matter, pace did not matter, it was all about finishing.

Knowing I didn’t have nearly enough nutrition for the run back, I started taking the free offerings from spectators and unofficial aid stations. This was my third Grandmas Marathon, so I knew there would be limited opportunity the first 17 miles, but once we got into Duluth there would be plenty of free food. I had my first Nerds gummy clusters, and they’re amazing! I was so happy to see that generous spectator again about 15 miles later and grab another pack. I will admit, I did find a new unopened Gu gel on the road, and picked it up to eat later (after I rinsed it off). I had four slices of watermelon, and some frozen pineapple chunks that were to die for.

My left hamstring started to tighten up twice, which is my body telling me I need salt. I had to walk more often until I found salty foods (Cheezits once, mixed nuts the other), but once I ate salt, it was fine within a minute and I could run more. A few times I thought I’d be walking the rest of the race, but the salt was the cure.

The atmosphere in Duluth is amazing, it’s a nine mile party. Bands, music, food, beer, cheers, etc. The first 17 miles or so is pretty remote with sporadic crowds, so it’s a big and motivating change when you get into town. The energy really helps push the runners along.

Throughout the actual marathon, I had my “Grandma’s Double” bib on my back. I got a lot of comments from other runners, and plenty of questions. Along the way I ran into a few other Double runners, and we would walk and chat, and then move on. This was my first marathon at more of a “party pace”, enjoying the crowd, gathering food and high fives, talking with other walkers. It was fun, but I was also ready to get it done and go find real food and some beer.

I finally finished, 5 hours and 24 minutes after starting my second marathon of the day. I was able to run most of the last two miles, and finished at a pretty solid 9 minute pace. I collected my huge 50th Grandma's medal, and had a big smile. Collected my gear bag, drank water and two chocolate milks, and started the ~1 mile walk back to my car.

Since I was camping in the parking ramp, I didn’t have access to a shower. So I toweled off and washed with a wet rag. Changed my clothes while hiding behind my car door, then got out my cot and sleeping bag and took an hour long nap right there in my parking spot without my tent. Then I got up, walked to a brewery for food and beer, and of course it was packed being so close to the finish line. I found a seat at the bar and chatted with three other runners about our day. In the evening I went to the post-race party for a concert of Prince music, and then some much needed sleep back in the parking ramp.

Fueling and gear Topo Atmos shoes, Salomon ultra vest, Black Diamond headlamp, a Nathan handheld water bottle held together with duct tape, and a pair of Goodrs.

In the first marathon I had 3 servings of Tailwind, a Bobo PB&J, an 8 ounce Gatorade, and a packet or two of maple syrup.

On the break I had a Salted Nut Roll.

In the second marathon I had two maple syrup packets, two scoops of Tailwind, blue Powerade from the aid stations, and a tremendous amount of food passed out by spectators and unofficial aid stations – bananas, watermelon, pineapple, pickles, mixed nuts, Nerds Gummy Clusters, Cheez-Its.

What went well *Getting to the start line of the actual marathon on time. *Surprise times – my 2nd marathon was only 8 minutes slower than the first. *Enjoying the day – focusing on atmosphere and fun instead of pace and time.

What I'd do differently *Bring more food, or have someone I know bring food to the start line.

Would I run this race again? *I’ve learned to “never say never,” but I don’t know that I’ll do a double marathon again. It was a great experience and I’m thrilled to know I can run 53 miles on roads at age 50, but once is probably enough.