While this was the second year of running this race, it was my first time running it having gotten in on the lottery. Last year, I ran this race last minute for an injured friend. As always, this race is so well run for how large it is. The expo had much of what I was looking for, gave me an opportunity to sign up for other races, as well as look at and purchase items I was in "need" of (my husband would say otherwise!).

Race morning, while cold, brought high expectations. I had a goal of finishing sub 1:30 (and PR'ing), and this race did not disappoint. While cold, I love that this race offers the opportunity for you to "throw away" your warm clothes you wear right up until race start, while donating them to local homeless and battered womens' shelters. It made me not feel bad about leaving a beloved sweatshirt by the wayside!

This race has such amazing crowd support, and water stations are well placed. At the end, I love that this race provides everyone with a reflective blanket, hot soup broth (my fave), chocolate milk and other normal post-race essentials. I just wish they gave bags for us to carry it all! I only had one operational hand due to a previous injury, so carrying it all was an issue.

The race village at the finish was set up differently from last year, and it was great, offering the place to get your post-race beverage right on the capitol lawn, making for awesome post-race photo ops!

I love this race so much, I cannot wait to make TCM my first marathon in 2019!