State #25 Reston, Virginia

April 10th 2016

Runners Marathon of Reston

No, we are not tired...we did not just run a marathon in the snow with virtually no sleep the last two days!  No we did not just drive for three plus hours to get to packet pick-up without eating or taking a shower!  Oh wait, yes we did do that no wonder we look so darn bad...

Half way through the states wonder how bad we will look after Fifty!

But hey, they are giving us free food so take our picture!  From beginning to end our time in Reston, Virginia is great. Stopped at the high school of Alan Webb to pick up our bib, shirt, goodie bag and eat our pasta dinner in the school cafeteria. My husband still equates marathon pasta dinners with food poisoning, but I just want to eat, shower and sleep. The food tastes good to me...pasta, salad, french bread and lots of cookies.  Good to go, now lets GO!  A nice young couple from New York sit down at our table just as we are finishing and we get delayed.  Runners have to talk running!  We talk about places to live in California and our running histories etc.  The husband is a non-runner just there to support his wife.  I told him that is how it starts that he will be running and obsessed in no time.

Finally, we check into the hotel.  All the wet clothes from the morning's run, stuffed in our cute little Garden Spot Marathon zippered bags, have to be unleashed.  What a stinky moldy mess if left in that state. My husband wants to dry out the clothes.  We spread everything out and put the heater on full blast.  It is really really cold in Virginia too.  Oh goodie, I can't wait for more cold weather running.  With showers complete and outfits laid out for the next day, my head hits the pillow and I sleep like the dead. Let's just say that was the best bed ever!

Race morning is super COLD! It is just as cold as yesterday, just without the snow.  Having used up my favorite warm running jackets, I do not have enough layers on for this race and grab a garbage bag for extra warmth.

There is nothing better than a small marathon put on by runners, close parking,  a warm cafeteria and they even walk the runners out to the start line. Don't we look slightly out of place in our bags. I had clear plastic bags packed in the suitcase which would have been less conspicuous! We just wanted to give the east coasters something to laugh about.

 It is baffling to me that some runners are able to run with bare legs and arms.  I marvel at their toughness.  For me it is warmth over vanity.  Who cares if I end up wearing my bag for eleven miles!!  At least I punch some holes for my arms, but my bag provides annoying bag swooshing sounds for those running near me.  My husband ditches his bag immediately after the start.

The legs do not feel as bad as imaged.  The course is hilly with lots of rolling hills and a combination of road running and paved trails. It is a two loop course that changes often enough to keep the running interesting.  After three miles, runners run down a steep road which begins a trail section.  A volunteer is hopping up and down (to stay warm) at the bottom of the hill being a positive force offering encouragement with a big smile. (But he needs a darn jacket) I enjoy the tall trees and the constantly curving path, but my knees are feeling the ups and downs.  There are not too many spectators but all the volunteers are highly energetic and encouraging.  Most of the trails look a lot like this. The air is crisp and clear making for a very peaceful run!

The aid stations have everything a runner needs including Fig Newtons. I fuel my entire race with bananas and Newtons.  In fact, I am craving a Newton right now.  I am  currently on day 11 of a 15 day challenge of clean eating and no soda, but at this very moment writing about Newtons, I want one.  Stay strong...no cookies.  Get this blog written!!

I start feeling good around mile ten. As I run past one runner he said, "I hope you are running the half?" That comment helps energize me for awhile. It took me six miles to warm up and get into a zone which lasts until mile sixteen when my knee starts to hurt.  The last ten miles are all grin and bear it.  I try all kinds of changes to my stride, but nothing helps. The only thing that helps is getting back to the school to make that final lap on the track before crossing the finish line.  A volunteer photographer takes pictures and posts them to the marathon's Facebook page. Another nice plus for the Reston Marathon!

Husband happy to be done!

I want to get my camera out of the car to get some pictures, but we are in desperate need of a shower before checking out of the hotel.  First we have to take advantage of the post-race food.  They have pizza, sandwiches, cookies and lots of other tasty treats back in the school cafeteria.  I am so hungry I eat four slices of pizza.  It is cold but good~hot, it would have been exceptional pizza! 

I didn't check to see I if placed in my age group before we left, but we did get coffee mugs for traveling the farthest.  Later, I checked online and I placed second.  A week after our trip my award arrives in the mail.  I highly recommend this race.  Overall, our double marathon weekend is a great success. If I lived closer both marathons are worthy of running year after year!!

Even after eating four pieces of pizza after the race, I still want to try out a place that local runners frequent.  Santini's Pizza~really good~  Due to a work commitment, our time in the east is short. We fit in a quick visit to the Mt. Vernon Estate before driving back to Baltimore for an early morning flight

 George Washington's Estate

 Back porch area with Potomac in the background

Ranch land on the estate

Now it is back to the routine of running and good eating to prepare for our next marathon on May 1st in Eugene, Oregon.  But first I have to have some chill time with kitty!

State #24 New Holland, Pennsylvania

April 9th 2016

Garden Spot Village Marathon

...and that's me in the red hat!!

March is busy with travel and races.  All we seem to do is go, run, repeat with three fulls and one half completed.  After a two week breather at home, we are looking forward to April with just one double marathon weekend on the east coast.  The only down side is all the resting and recovering leads to indulging in too much food that is not good for my ever expanding waistline and Psyche! The week before the double weekend; however, I am happy with my fairly good eating habits and stable weight. Eating right is a constant daily battle.  The other worry is the impending weather forecast. The ten day weather predictions are all over the place from mild to wind and rain to snow.  I pack for the worst with lots of warm running clothes, hats and gloves.  
We give Alaska Airlines a try for this trip with no issues on the drive to the airport. Although boarding is a bit chaotic as we merge at once with no designated lines. One lady crowds in with a huge box that looks way too big to fit in the overhead bin, but she is allowed to carry the box on containing a cake. The red eye arrives just after 6 a.m. or 3 a.m. to our bodies.  We get the rental  car and decide to drive awhile before~attempting~to take a nap at the Pennsylvania  Welcome Center!

Napping is a failure with the sun in our eyes and being too keyed up to sleep. After snacking on a banana and some nuts, oh and a candy bar we drive to Wheatland home of Buchanan the 15th President of the United States.  He bought the home during his presidency and died in the home.

Front of Buchanan home located in Lancaster, PA

Got a little nap in the car before walking the grounds of the Revolutionary War General's plantation located in Lancaster Central Park.

The Garden of the Five Senses is also located in the park.  We walk the path and read about each of the senses represented in the Garden.  It is a serene place.

I am looking forward to some lunch~Surprise Surprise~But first my husband wants to drive through the cemetery to see if he can locate Buchanan's grave site.  The drive through the very old cemetery with small little roads is hard to navigate,  eventually we find it.

I suggest a place for lunch I read about online.  We try to find the restaurant and end up in a residential area with massive homes, but no restaurant.  Siri directs us in the wrong direction.  Instead of relying on our devices we use the old brain and locate Salt and Pepper, a fairly new eating establishment with a substantial menu.  I am trying not to be pizza obsessed, but I do like to sample it when I travel. Who am I kidding...I just like pizza anytime, anywhere! One day my hope is to discover the perfect pizza.  I order a slice of cheese and some manicotti.  My husband orders a Cheese Steak.  The pizza slice is just out of the oven and is pretty  tasty.  The pasta is enjoyable, as well~my mom thought I ordered enchiladas.

After filling our gullets at lunch it's back to the car, we are ready to get to the expo. Although a pit stop is necessary to freshen up and drink a diet coke to try and stay awake. As we open the car door at the Garden Spot Marathon Expo, we are hit with a bitter coldness. Big white tents serve as the packet pick up and the pasta dinner later in the day, but it is too cold to stick around for long. We quickly pick up all the goodies and hurry back to the car.  The swag consists of two shirts and a nice little zippered bag and runner's guide booklet. The race director, Scott Miller, is a runner himself so he knows what runners like. The marathon is put on by a retirement community located on a hundred acres!  The residents come together to make it an awesome experience with the proceeds going to a benevolent fund for residents in need of assistance.  In spite of the impending snow that has me shivering in my running shoes, we are up for the challenge. The drive to the motel allows us to soak in the beautiful landscape.

 

In East Earl Township, it is not unusual to share the road with horse and buggy! It's Amish Country! The land is vast as we drive through the rolling hills almost like stepping back in time. But will the rolling hills be as easy tomorrow when we are running them?

Once we are settled at the Bird-In-Hand Family Inn, the exhaustion radiates throughout our middle aged bodies. Essentially, we have been up all night. I like to look at it like we are getting the most out of our days! There is a restaurant located on the property and we decide to walk over for a little snack.  Even though we are full from lunch, we never pass up an opportunity to sample local treats and dessert hits the spot. My husband has Shoo Fly Pie which he claims is absolutely delicious.  It is made with Molasses and apparently is a Amish tradition.  I stick with classic carrot cake and some ice cream!

Very Good, but before a marathon!

On the way to our room we stop for a photo.  Many establishments in Amish country have places to tie up a horse and buggy.  

Even the horse needs a blanket to stay warm!

It may not look cold, but it is freezing~no coat just for the picture! As we hurry to get back inside the Inn's pool and spa room an employee gives me a funny glance.  I ask him if he can tell I'm from California. He states he had me pegged for Florida. The indoor spa is so warm and toasty we decide to soak.  The spa jets are so powerful my fatigued muscles get a real workout. The next day after soaking for over an hour in the spa I am sore.  

After two full days and a night without sleep, it is time to prepare for the marathon and get some much needed sleep. We organize our stuff and climb into bed, but sleep is hard to come by! Sometimes when you are so tired, it is hard to fall asleep. It doesn't help that the refrigerator noise and cars are a constant annoyance.  My mind starts doing crazy calculations about how many hours of sleep are left.  We manage to get a few restless hours of sleep. 

We wake up extra early to sleet. We want to get there in time to park in the lot, but we are unsuccessful and must park in the grass.  Normally not a concern, but with the snow falling we worry about the small rental car getting stuck in the snow.  For now we sit parked in the grass with over an hour to wait, watching the snow as it magically falls from the sky. The ground is quickly covered and I can't believe we are about to run a marathon in the snow.   They call it "onion snow" or a spring snow that occurs after the onions are planted in this Pennsylvania Dutch community! 

After a quick trip to the potty my socks are wet.  I apologize to the people in line for my ridiculous outfit, but justify it by saying I'm from California.  I explain how it was ninety degrees back home when we left and snow is not something we see often and definitely never run in.  We all have a nice laugh at my expense! Many runners wait inside the tents until just a few minutes before the start. As we find our place behind the start line, I talk with a few runners before "God Bless America" plays and after the race director's prayer...we are off and running.

My outfit consists of two shirts, two jackets, two hats, two pair of gloves, leg warmers and some plastic. (Now you see why the people in the bathroom line were chuckling.) Sorry...not sorry...I don't do cold very well.  I must say even though the marathon has challenging weather conditions, it's a great time.  There is something magical about running in the snow.  Anytime you need a little drink...just open your mouth and catch a few snowflakes.

It also makes for some lovely landscapes.  I think the pictures speak for themselves and can explain the experience better than I can!

I have the pleasure of running with Tali from New York during the early miles.  She is a trooper.  Although she did not finish with me, she got herself a PR on an extremely tough day! I also met James from Georgia a fellow Maniac and 50 Stater. We make it to the big hill together at mile 21.  He slows down just a bit and I have to keep going to maintain my pace. He is also doing a double marathon weekend.  Nice to know we have company in this crazy running world.  My husband is sporting the 50 States shirt!  He only runs with me twice for a few minutes each time and they just happen to be when our picture is taken. Perfect timing... 

Approximately eight inches of snow fall while we are running. It is really coming down from mile ten to mile thirteen.  Well, I call it heavy snow, not sure what an east coaster will say about that?  We have to really concentrate on our footing as it gets slushy and very slippery for a few miles.

My pace sign is covered in snow at this point.  I have to keep knocking the snow off and can do little about the snow accumulating inside my plastic.  There is no way to keep shoes and socks dry.  I share a few miles with the lady in purple.  We talk about running, our children and why running is so important to us. It is the thing I love most about running, connecting with other people who share the same passion! The lady behind me, Elizabeth also from New York, runs almost twenty miles with me until just before we get to the big hill.  I hate when I have to leave my people.  It is the hardest part of pacing.  She is fighting so hard to stay right with me.  She doesn't talk much because she is focusing and I want to be able to finish with her.  At the top of the hill I wave to her to come on...she can do it. She waves to me to go ahead.  Sadly, I leave Elizabeth and James at that monster hill! I am happy to see her in the finish tent.  She tells me she also got a PR which makes me feel a little better. 

After making it up the hill and losing my two main people I run alone for a little while before catching up with a man from New Jersey. He ran with the group in sections.  He listens to a book on tape for most of the run and finally finished it.  He told me earlier when he finished his book he would tell me about it. For a few miles he talks about the book.  It is about getting the best out of people.  How to inspire people in the workforce. Interestingly enough the book references marathon running and how people get hits of dopamine when they run and reach milestones~mile markers~for example.  He goes on to say the best way to get the most from workers is to praise them for accomplishing goals.  Our brains are wired to work best with a reward system.  So each time you reach that next mile marker just think your brain is sending your nervous system a shot of good chemicals. No wonder running is so addictive, we are constantly seeking our dopamine fix.  Talking with a fellow runner makes the miles fly by, but also quickens my pace.  I tell him to go ahead that I have to maintain a steady pace to the end.  I eventually catch up to him again at mile 26 and we run it in together.

I can not say enough good things about the run.  They do everything possible to provide marathoners the best experience. They even order up some snow to make it extra memorable. The volunteers at the aid stations provide liquids, gels and bananas with encouraging smiles and comments. Love the communities enthusiasm and effort in very cold and wet conditions to ensure an extra special experience for runners.  It is also amazing to see people out cheering us on.

My husband is waiting for me at the finish, he crosses a few minutes ahead of me. We quickly go inside the white tent to eat and warm up.  There is a lot of food and drinks available for runners along with tables and chairs to take some time to relax and recover.  Age group winners are being announced as we walk in. Even though it is freezing I partake in a chocolate milkshake.  The tent is a ball of excitement and conversation with everyone sharing snow running adventures. I thank the race director for an amazing event and for allowing me to be a pacer.  Before my teeth begin to chatter, we quickly disappear into the blue tent of warmth. Weary cold runners enter the blue tent to a gush of warm air and a sea of good looking EMT's and firefighters. Seats are provided to runners in front of a blast of warm air.  Heat packs and hot coffee are dispersed by handsome hunks with warm smiles which help heat up frozen runners and ensure our safety.  Just another extra going above and beyond to make it a purely amazing marathon experience.  It is definitely one I will never forget and will always treasure.

We change into dry clothes in the car~for a smelly drive to Virginia! Now to get the rental car out of the muddy, snowy grass. By the time we are ready to leave there are very few cars left, but lots of slushy, muddy ruts and car tracks. My husband gets us back onto the road by flooring the gas pedal.  Thank goodness I am not driving!  Now, its time to settle in for a three hour drive to Virginia and mentally prepare for the next marathon tomorrow.