Merry Mullins’ Detroit Adventure: Celebrating the Free Press International Marathon Series

Merry Mullins(MM15936),Well this past weekend didn’t disappoint! I ran the Detroit Free Press International marathon series (Supreme). While I forgot I signed up to run 3 races I am very happy I did.
I will say the weekend didn’t start as planned and with me it often doesn’t. The good news is I always have someone coming to my rescue. A huge shoutout to my travel agent Rene Lavigne. She is the best. She has been a logistics superstar when it comes to coordinating all my runs out of state. From the booking of hotel rooms and rental cars to last minute changes of flights because I just wanted to come home directly after the race. Amazing. Thank you for figuring out the car rental. Lots of people left without cars.
Secondly Hilton Hotels. I am an honors member and stay in a Hilton whenever I travel where they are available because the staff is so nice and the hotels are affordable and clean.
I did meet Robert Oliver who has been on his own running journey for a while now. We have discussed running strategies for several
Months. Robert came into this race with several half marathons under his belt a one marathon. His goal was to finish an International marathon and finish he did. Great job Robert! He got to finish and his wife and cousins were their to see him so that was even better.
This was my first time in Detroit. I probably would have ventured out a bit more if I would have had someone with me, but what I did see was beautiful. Running into Canada across the Ambassador bridge was stunning. The view was fantastic and the people of Canada 🇨🇦 were so awesome at cheering us on.
The crowds that lined the streets of Detroit absolutely amazing. From the older generation to the very young. It was amazing to
Feel the love of the Motor City. The volunteers did an amazing job especially at the aid stations. It was great to see so many youth assisting.
As for my runs. Saturday running the 1 mile and the 5k back to back like 10 mins apart. That was fun. I hadn’t ever done that before but for really good time on both those races.
Yesterdays marathon started out a little faster than I anticipated, but I was feeling great so
I just kept on going. That was up
Until I got directed off course and ran an extra few miles. I could of been mad or sad about this as I was on pace to break my PR, but considering it is my first international and I actually have been able
to once again complete my running goals flow the year. I just laughed and kept running. My time wasn’t my best, obviously, 5:36. But since I ran 29.98 miles I guess I still did ok.
Another super cool thing that happened again at this race was I had multiple people come up to
Me to tell me what state they first met me
In and asked to take a picture with me. They told me they were still following my journey. Then a for several young people ask
To follow along. Which is always awesome!
I got home around 1:00am and got everything unpacked. Grabbed a much needed shower and crawled into bed. Now up and ready to start my work week off great.
I will probably run a few more marathons to close out my year but they will be a little closer to home. I will begin my 2025 planning soon. Let’s run!