On Saturday, November 5, I went ran with 3 people (2 co-workers) in St. Charles, Missouri. We started running at my friend/co-worker’s house. These colleagues are planning to run the New York Marathon in 2023, and by registering for and running a virtual marathon the same weekend as the 2022 in-person race, they were able to gain guaranteed entry to 2023’s race. I was hoping to instead qualify based on my time in my earlier marathon or half marathon but was happy to join them on their run.
Because I knew we would be running at a slower pace than my typical marathon pace, I did not do much differently to prepare. Normally, runners plan to taper their training immediately before a race, but I ran more miles than usual, hitting 100 miles in 1 week for the first time ever. Running at relatively low intensity and a lower heart rate made this goal easier to achieve.
Not having a car, I took the MetroBus/Metrolink train, and biked again to St. Charles. I slept in later than I originally planned, but luckily the group was flexible. I left my house around 7:00 am, biked to the Forest Park-Debaliever MetroLink Station, and took the train to the North Hanley Transfer Center. It was very rainy when I arrived but luckily again, the bus was already waiting. I sat on the bus for about 10 minutes then we departed. by the time I arrived in Earth City, the rain stopped. I rode along the same route as a few weeks earlier for the MO Cowbell Half Marathon, except this time my bike functioned correctly. This time, it was late enough that the sun had already risen.
Riding down St. Charles Rock Road in Earth City
Riding north down the Earth City Levee Trail
Riding north down the Earth City Levee Trail
Crossing the Missouri River into St. Charles County
I arrived at the house around 8:15am, about 45 min later than originally planned. Within a few minutes, the 4 of us began running. We ran downhill to Main Street in St. Charles then down the Katy Trail. After three miles, we stopped at a park where my coworker’s husband (also coworker) was waiting as our personal sag wagon. In the next mile, my coworker pointed out Bangert Island where he sometimes likes to run. Next, we ran by an area where the Katy Trail was converted due to construction for the Riverpointe Development. It was a bit ugly at the time with all the trees removed and the trail surrounded by equipment, but hopefully it will be well-connected to other parts of St. Charles in the future so more people can enjoy the trail. Another coworker was also waiting for us along our route, cheering us on near where we lived. It was great to have our own personal crowd and aid stations!
A while later, we met the sag wagon again after passing the Family Arena and crossed back into St. Louis County via the Veterans Memorial Bridge. We ran to Creve Coeur Lake Park, going about 2/3 around the lake before turning around at the Taco Bell Shelter where the group stopped for a photo.
Quick stop at Creve Coeur Lake
Our view of part of the Katy Trail
I was starting to get anxious on the way back, wanting to return to St. Louis on time to take the 3:00 pm Missouri River Runner/Lincoln Service train to Chicago to visit Daniel. But I stayed calm and continued to run with the group. At about 1:40, we made it back to the house, finishing the marathon. I could tell 2 of my coworkers were very tired, especially since one was sick and the other had some foot/ankle issues, but we were all happy to have finished the run, with the three of them qualifying to run the New York Marathon.
View from Bike Flower Park in St. Charles
I left, riding my bike back to St. Louis County. However, it would be almost 2 hours before the Earth City Bus returned, so I instead biked to Hazelwood. Part of my route included riding down Ferguson Ln, parallel to Missorui Highway 37. I know they say not ride through flood water, but I didn’t want to ride an extra 4 miles down busy highways to go around the overflow. Although my feet became soaked from the 6+ inches of water, I successfully made it to the other side.
Flood water I biked through on Ferguson Ln
Another flow of flood water on Ferguson Ln
Hazelwood bus stop (wet footprints from riding through the flood)
I finally arrived at the Amtrak station in St. Louis at 4:15PM. I was over 1 hour late for the train, but, luck for me, the train was late. After securing my bike at the St. Louis Downtown Bicycle Station, I ran to the station, relieved to be able to sit and relax. Before I could fall asleep, I perused the wares and tares of the Amtrak Cafe Car, finding most items were sold out. I reluctantly settled on the turkey sandwich, for a large price of ~$9. It was good to eat something for the first time that day, but was definitely still hungry.
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View of Post-Harvest Illinois Farmland from Amtrak
Half of my breakfast/lunch/dinner sandwich for the day (I was too hungry to take a picture for the whole sandwich)
At about 10:00pm I arrived in Chicago. I was about 1 mile short of 100 for the week, so I ran (barely jogged) the ~2 miles to Daniel’s apartment from Union Station. With 100 miles
Gear used:
Joe Runs 