Humpy’s Marathon: Anchorage, Alaska, August 20, 2023 – Marathon #26
There is so much to say about this trip, and I’m not sure I can capture it all. First off, the flights to get there were incredibly long. But it was worth it. I was nervous about going on the trip since I was still recovering from the fall I took on the trail the week before. Then, just three hours before I was supposed to leave, Brittany, Emma, and Owen decided they would join me for a few days. That made the trip even more special. Anyone who knows Brittany knows she is the ultimate planner when it comes to finding things to do.
We didn’t arrive in Alaska until 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning, which was 4:30 a.m. Kansas City time, so we were pretty tired. Owen did an amazing job during all the traveling.
Day One
First things first – I needed to pick up my bib for the marathon. After all, that’s why I was there! Then, it was off to Whittier, Alaska, where the town’s slogan is “Everything is prettier in Whittier!” The 2.5-hour drive was majestic. The mountains were breathtaking. Once in Whittier, we had a meal at a wonderful little restaurant and explored the few shops. This town is small, mainly attracting tourists who come for fishing. On our way back to Anchorage, Emma spotted a wildlife conservation area, so we stopped. This turned out to be a highlight of the trip. We saw a black bear being fed, along with elk, moose, bison, coyotes, and even brown bears. Owen yelled at one of the brown bears, and it stood up on its hind legs! The keepers told us they had only seen it do that twice in its lifetime. It was an unforgettable experience.
Day 2
We got up early and drove about 130 miles to Seward, Alaska, where we boarded a small boat for a wildlife tour. This tour did not disappoint. We were hoping to see a whale, but the captain warned us that it was unlikely since it was late in the season. But then, out of nowhere, three orca whales appeared and put on an amazing show for us! The scenery was stunning, something hard to describe in words or pictures. We also saw puffins, sea otters, sea lions, and even salmon jumping out of the water. It was a very cool experience. Afterward, we headed back to Anchorage. It was time to take the girls and Owen back to the airport, and I needed to mentally prepare for the marathon on Sunday.
Saturday
On Saturday, I missed having my company around—it was so much fun hanging out with the girls. I decided to go for a few hikes. During one, I found a beautiful waterfall. Later, I drove up the mountainside and hiked about half a mile into the woods before turning back. There were lots of signs warning about hiking alone and the dangers of bears and moose. I didn’t want to become a statistic in Alaska! After that, I headed back to the hotel to relax and rest up for the race.
Sunday – Race Day
Race day finally arrived, and the energy was amazing. I was excited and nervous, unsure of how my body would perform since I was still feeling some residual pain from the previous week. I was also undecided on what to wear—I didn’t want to be cold, but I also wanted to wear my signature pink Marathon Maniacs outfit, which has always brought me good luck. The race itself was incredible, and the weather was gorgeous. I did experience some nausea from miles 9 to 15 but pushed through it. I finished the race with a second-place finish in my age division, making it my third consecutive second-place finish—Michigan, Oregon, and now Alaska. Looks like I need to start chasing that first place!
Alaska is a beautiful state. I did feel like I was in a different country, so far away from everyone and everything. The more states I travel to, the more I realize that I am a Midwest girl at heart. Thank you, Alaska, for being so majestic.