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.

State #23 Chattanooga, Tennessee

March 6, 2016

After leaving Albany on a Boston qualifying high, the bubble is soon burst on the way back to Macon, Georgia en route to Chattanooga.  The four lane highway is not my friend today as I see my little blue light friend pull onto the highway.  The speed limit drops from 65 to 55 to 45 in the a blink of an eye as we pass through Warwick, GA!  (town's population is less than 500 people)  They have a pretty good revenue generating system in place. The officer approaches the car with such caution and my heart sinks! (damn)  I try to plead my case, to no avail, once he finds out I am an out of stater in a rental car it is CHA-CHING!

Georgia is one of the few states that does not allow for trial by declaration. The only way to fight the speed trap is to show up in court or hire an attorney from the state to represent me.  Since it will cost more to fly back to Georgia, I will pay the ticket.  Thank you officer Stewart. What can I say? "you play you pay!"

The drive to Chattanooga just got a little bit longer, but I try to put it out of my mind.  The distance calculator states it is a four hour and thirty minute trip. Somehow, the drive takes five hours and thirty minutes before pulling into the stadium parking lot where packet pickup is winding down.  We have not showered or eaten since we left Albany.  Still dressed in what we ran in (I am sure) we are quite a sight to the volunteers who offer us a Zaxby Box. (a local fast food fried chicken place)  I say,  "omg thank you, we are so hungry!"  In that case, she tells us to take two and hands each of us another box of fried chicken. It is hard to believe, but that box of chicken, makes my day. We check in and get our shirt and bib.  After driving straight through we even use a porta potty that is set up for tomorrow's race on the way back to the car. 

It is a ten minute drive to the hotel.  After an interesting check-in with the hotel clerk, we park and head to the  room.  I am hoping the room has a microwave to heat up the chicken. What do you know, it has a microwave and we have soda and water left over from our Walmart trip. Thank goodness we do not need to get back in the car to search for dinner.  Another optimal pre-marathon meal is ingested in our hotel room.  The chicken is pretty good with dipping sauce, and we scarf down the strips and chips.  After a short soak in the hot tub, we shower and prepare for the second marathon of the weekend.  The race starts at 8 a.m. giving us a slightly longer sleep time.  The husband is stressing about getting parking in the morning and we end up getting up early anyway.

They make their own spot...

The logistics of this race is pretty easy.  We arrive back at the stadium parking lot.  I park at the end of a row of spots, since my husband insists I park there! I essentially create a space that does not exist.  I wonder why he doesn't worry about me getting another ticket, a parking ticket.  Anyway, we will worry about that later, I guess.  There are school buses waiting right there to shuttle runners over to the start line which is only about a mile away.  Before boarding the bus, I run into the packet pick-up area to exchange my shirt.  I swear it must have been a child's size shirt.  The volunteers happily exchange the shirt and agree that they run super small.  There is no way I was going to fit into that small shirt without showing my bellybutton! (trust me nobody wants to see that)  After a short bus ride, we are let out and make our way to the start.  I see a hotel and we go in to use the potty.  We end up sitting in the lobby for thirty minutes.  A nice comfy place to sit and stay warm.  When the time comes, we mosey over to the start which is just around the corner.  Bag drop is very organized with big white sack bins labeled by bib numbers.  There is an energy and excitement in the air.  Lots of runners are excited and ready to run.  I can't say I am excited or ready to run, but only because my body is fatigued from yesterday's marathon.  I try to breathe in the energy of the other runners.  As an inaugural event, it has attracted lots of locals and the community spirit is definitely present.

After some announcements, which runners can not really hear, the national anthem is sung exceptional well and the race begins.  My legs are heavy after my strong effort the day before.  I realize early on that this is going to be a long race for me.  My husband is off and running. I watch as runner after runner pass me by and as each pace group zips along. The first mile is a run through the downtown area as we make our way to the outskirts of Chattanooga.  I am trying to warm up my legs and get into a flow, but I am having some stomach issues.  I think it may be the fried chicken and the Snickers Bar I ate the night before.  It probably does not help that I ate two cinnamon rolls at  the hotel breakfast.  I usually only eat a banana on race morning.  Not the best option for running a good race.  Just around mile 5, I make my first of four potty stops.  I love when the door opens and I don't have to wait for someone to come out.  There is an aide station set up with enthusiastic volunteers offering water and power aide as I emerge for the green box.  I get back into a stride after adjusting my shirt and waist belt when a local runner strikes up a conversation.  This is his first marathon.  He tell me about how he lost seventy pounds over the last year.  He woke up one day approaching the big 50 and realized he needed to change.  He was a fast runner in the army and decided to take it up again. Of course he is much slower now, he tells me. I love his energy and excitement! We reach the only turn around point (the fateful misplaced turn around) and make our way to the first major hill.  I tell him good luck as I slow down, but he slows even more. With my many stops and the numerous hills, I am able to catch up  and run with him several more times on the course.

My eyesight is not so good anymore.  I pretty much wear glasses all the time now except when running.  I haven't made that final transition yet.  My poor eyesight makes square things up in the distance appear to be porta potties.  (I spot several potties that don't end up being actual potties) I think I see one, but oops as I get closer it is not.  Finally, I find a real potty...I am rethinking my food selections at this point.  The body really is like a machine and when you feed it junk it responds in kind.  I did not drink at all prior to the race and yet I need to pee a lot...too much information!  I am hoping this is the last stop, but there will be two more Porta-John visions and two more actual stops.

I begin seeing a lone spectator approximately every two miles.  As we get further and further along it becomes the running joke among runners as they shout out to him, "do you have a twin"  "hey you are everywhere" the little things that runners do to pass the time.  We pass some industrial areas that have little to no spectators. Mile marker 6 is clearly off.  Each marker from there on is about .40 miles short.  This is the most difficult section for me from mile 6 to mile 10.  It feels like I will never get going.

 Finally we leave the desolate area and make our way to the river area with the two bridges.  I see a fast pacer, on the pedestrian bridge, wave down to the slower runners and realize they are about seven miles ahead of us already! (Oh well)  I see a couple more green boxes and pick up my pace to reach one.  I grab the door and it is locked  just as I go to check the next one a runner flies out and in I go. They have some very cool music blasting at this well stocked aide station.  They have food, gels, drinks and lots of volunteers. I try a banana to get some good fuel.  My goal is to go GU free on this run.  Coming out of the aide station there is another significant hill to climb.  I decide to walk all hills at this point.  A pacer passes me on the hill, I ask her pace and she tell me 4:45.  I ask her if she notices that the mile markers are off and she agrees.  She is not sure what to do, I say use your watch they are definitely short.  I jigsaw with this pacer until mile 22 with my bathroom breaks and hill walking.  All my stops and walking, allow me to see the same runners over and over again.  Once we reach the top of the hill we make our way onto the bridge.  Running over the car bridge is an enjoyable section with great views.  After crossing the bridge there is another climb.  This is an out and back section and we get a chance to see faster runners descending quickly down the hill as we are just starting to climb.  I ask a course monitor what mile they are on and he tell me about mile 16.  I now know I have five miles to go before I am back to this section.

The next five miles is a pretty residential area with lots of climbs and downhill sections.  As we approach a police officer he says, "when you make the turn just don't look up!"  Wow, as we turn you can't help but be awed by a steep hill.  Normally such a hill is demoralizing, but I think to myself good another walk break.  Some runners sigh and put their heads down and push themselves up the hill, others walk.  I don't think the effort to run is worth it, I can just make it up on the downhill side.
I pass many of those that ran up the hill. I catch up to the man that lost the weight and he starts to tell me his story again!  I guess he did not recognize me from earlier or maybe he tells his story so many times he loses track.  We talk some more.  Around mile 13 or 14 I make my final pit stop.  There is an aide station there as well.  The volunteers say, "Water, Coke, Gatorade."  I say, "did you say Coke?" They hand me a cup of Coke which hits the spot with my Advil.  I hear someone say, "She needs Advil already!"  Yes, I need Advil already!

This is a fun section, my stomach is finally settling and no further bathroom breaks are necessary.  I am enjoying the homes, the trees, the views and even the hills.  Before I know it, I am now running down the mile 16 hill making my way to the footbridge.

The wood bridge is an uneven surface, I take caution with my footing.  I strike up a conversation with two Maniac ladies who are also doing a double.  They ran the Columbia Marathon the day before in South Carolina and they are definitely feeling the run too.  We chat while crossing the bridge, but as we leave the bridge, I am beginning to feel better for the first time in the race.  The traffic control is great.  They are doing so many things right for a first marathon.  There are two more climbs before turning and running through the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.

This is my favorite section of the entire course.  The students are amazing. Their energy is electrifying.  For that one moment in time, it feels like running Boston.  The high-fives and cheers are loud and empowering.  A runner can not help but be inspired and energized through this section. Good job UTC you are awesome!   The college kids give me a boost and my pace increases. I catch up to my husband as he stops to get band-aids.  In his haste to get to the race, he forget his duct tape and now is paying the price.  He also has sock issues.  I bought him new socks and they were not quite high enough.  My fault! We run together for a few miles.  I say lets do this together and he tells me to go.  I do pull ahead for awhile before hitting another low as my pace declines.  When I reach another climb, I walk and my husband is back with me.  Around mile 21 we stop at an aid station.  I have a banana and he fuels up too.  I tell him, "lets go get this sucker done!"  He is not ready to run yet and takes a walk break.  I decide to go.  Once I reach mile 22 I pass the 4:45 pacer for the final time.  I don't know what happened, but I am suddenly ready to bolt.  My pace goes from ten to eleven minute miles to nine and eight minute miles.  The final three miles are an amazing experience.  I pass almost sixty runners.  I am running strong and each time I pass someone, I feel stronger and run faster.  I am having so much fun.  I don't know where my energy is coming from, but I am not going to complain.  This is definitely the definition of a "runner's high" and I am loving the experience.  People yell to me, "way to finish strong, good form" which only fuels me even more.

If only every finish can feel so good.  I finally make the final turn and see the finish line, kicking as hard as I can.  Even though I am running strong, I am relieved to finally stop.  I collect my medal and some snacks and head over to bag pick up.  The volunteers are so efficient, as they see me coming, they hop up and grab the bag before I reach them.  That is just fantastic.  I have two jackets ready to put on knowing that I will soon cool down and be freezing.  I make my way to the end of the venue where they have food trucks available for free to all the runners.  I decide to go with a burger.  They are grilling them as you order and it is quite tasty.  The bun is a bit much so I take some of that off, but the meat and grilled onions are delicious.  I find a place to sit and wait for my husband.  He is not too far behind me.  He gets tacos and chips as his meal choice and we enjoy our food before getting a beer on the way out.  Also free to runners.

They did a great job in so many aspects for this race except one important thing. The race is officially declared short by .28 the following Wednesday.  This affects Boston Qualifiers and 50 Staters.  Since it is a certified course and the marathon officials admit that the one and only turn around at mile 5 was improperly placed, the marathon does not count as a full marathon for Tennessee. We will have to decide as we get closer to finishing the states if we will do another one for Tennessee. I feel that it is an honest mistake and we all make mistakes.  It does not take away from the experience and the effort the community put into making the event a good one.

After cleaning up, we return to downtown to eat a burger at the Terminal restaurant.  We talk to a young guy who is celebrating his first marathon with some friends.  He is still in his running clothes when he shuffles by us and notices my husband's marathon shirt.  He tells us he finished in four hours! (impressive time for such a hilly course)  He asks how we liked the marathon in his city.  We tell him we loved the marathon and the people of Chattanooga. After lunch we walk over to a hotel which used to serve as the railroad terminal during the golden age of railroads.  South Railway operated the railroad that began in 1909 and was decommissioned in the 1970's.  Glen Miller's 1941 song "Chattanooga Choo Choo" helped make the railroad station famous.

With an early flight home in the morning we use the rest of the late afternoon to drive up to Lookout Mountain.  There is a tram that goes to the top, but we elect to drive up.

Supposedly from the lookout, people are able to see seven states.  I don't know about that.  It is a nice drive and area to explore.

Can you find seven states in this picture?

 My husband has that blister from the new socks I bought him and he is happy to just stay in the car.  After a few sight seeing stops, we drive back down and make a stop at Clumpies Ice Cream Co. to test it out.  It is good ice cream, but I don't really think I am a connoisseur when it comes to food. (Anyone who is happy to heat up fried chicken from a box before a marathon obviously has little discerning taste.)  The next morning we drive back to Atlanta for the flight home.  We have our best meal of the trip in the airport at Charley's Philly Steaks. Now it is time to get home and prepare for the next two weekends of pacing, one half and one full.

End of the Trail 1/2 Marathon

Modesto Marathon

After two solid months of training, March is all about running races and ends with two pacing gigs. Now it is time to get back to healthy eating and training for more fun in April.  Kitty also wants her people to stay home!

That's it you can't go anywhere else...

State #22 Albany, Georgia

March 5th 2016

After a three month break from marathons, it is finally time for a double marathon weekend. The necessary break allows for nagging injuries to heal and a period of solid training to take place.  We are like horses in the starting gate ready to get out and run...test out the legs.  It is also an opportunity to test out our resolve to maintain healthy eating while traveling which is tough to do. The husband is more successful in this endeavor.  For me, travel equals bad eating. 

We start our trek Thursday morning with an easy drive to the airport. Nobody is on the road in the predawn hours which gets us to the airport parking in record time, leaving two hours for a little nap in the car before making our way to our Southwest gate. The flight is a good one with no delays, turbulence or issues.  Car rental is a breeze as well.  It is a push start ignition and a little turn knob for the gears which takes some getting used to and is a painful reminder of how old and out of date I am becoming in the modern world. The car only has plug-ins for devices; there will be no book on tape cd’s being played on this trip.  I guess I am going to have to adapt to more current ways of accessing books. (sigh)

The early am flight leaves us tired, but also gives us an extra day to explore and catch up on sleep before our first run on Saturday morning in Albany, Georgia.  We drive from Atlanta to Macon where we have a hotel for the night.  It has been over three months since we have indulged in pizza and we check out a place that has good reviews.  What a disappointment!  Pizza is a go to meal on marathon trips, but sadly this pizza ranks near the bottom of the twenty-two states where we sample various pies.  Too much cheese, too little sauce and very bland crust, but the people sure do have a cute way of talking. 

After the less than stellar grilled cheese tasting pizza, we check out the highlights of Macon.  A stop at the birthplace of the Allman Brother's is required by my husband. Once there he decides it is not worthwhile to go through the museum.

I did not see the sign (no climbing the steps) until after the picture...Sorry Macon Hay House!!

We also stop at the Hay House which is one of Georgia's most distinguished structures from the Civil War era.  The Cannon House is next door.  There really is not too much to see and being super tired we make our way to the motel.  Lemonade and popcorn in the lobby serves as our dinner. The cloudy weather turns into a large rainstorm and the rain serves as our nighttime entertainment. After a goodnight’s rest we are ready to drive to Albany. On the way out of town, we stop and walk the mounds of the Ocmulgee National Monument, which showcases prehistoric Southeastern Native American cultures.  

We also stop to see the Otis Redding statue.  He is famous for writing the song “Sitting by the Dock of the Bay." His songs play continuously at his bronze statue.  He was a Georgia boy who traveled to California to make a career in music.

Tragically, he died in a plane crash in 1969 three weeks before the song was released.  This is such a classic song from my childhood.

Finally, it is time to get into marathon mode. My weight isn’t exactly where I was hoping it would be, but my training has been solid with some five mile runs in the low forties. I feel pretty good about being able to run under four hours. It is the tenth anniversary of the marathon, and we are excited to run this little race.  It is touted to be a top ten Boston Marathon qualifier and I keep that little tidbit of information tucked away in the back of my mind.  I have no real expectations, but I feel good about my training.  The expo takes place in the host hotel which is across the street from the finish area and is very close to the start There are a buzz of runners picking up their packets.  Snicker’s (The Mars Company) is the official sponsor of the race this year and we get lots of candy and goodies.  Just what I need, lots of candy!! 

After getting our bibs and bag for bag drop we get a picture by the river of the Ray Charles spinning statue.  A speaker pipes his music into the air. 

There are numerous wood swings in the park like setting near the river and we spend some time swinging and soaking in the sun.  We have plenty of time and are not in a rush.  After the severe food poisoning we experienced at a pre-race pasta dinner back in 2014 we are still hesitant to participate in pasta dinners.  Even though the pacer we want to run with is the guest speaker, we elect not to attend.

We find our motel and check in.  Being out of practice on the traveling preparation front, we forgot a few things.  My husband needs some nail clippers and he forgot to pack his boobie protectors.  A trip to Walmart takes care of these necessities.  A roll of duct tape is his choice for nipple chaffing prevention.  While there, we buy some water and “Whatchamacallit Candy Bar.”  I ate one before my first Boston Qualifier and I am hoping that if I eat one it might help me get another qualifier.  I am not really superstitions, but it is a good excuse to eat more candy. (what the heck)

We try out a popular pizza chain (Mellow Mushroom) for our race meal.  After yesterday’s disastrous pizza, we elect to have a slice and salad combo rather than order a whole pizza.  

The husband spins his bowl around thinking it is sitting on something uneven.  It is just the mushroom shaped bowl.  Look at that healthy eating on a trip! (WHAT) This is another pizza disappoint and I am glad we only have to eat one slice.  Our server is super nice though and he wishes us well on the race.  People are so pleasant in the south.  The hotel lobby has oranges and bananas available and we snack on fruit in the evening.  After several trips to the south, we have yet to eat at Cracker Barrel or a Waffle House, but they were nice enough to allow us to use the bathroom on race morning.

 It is a fairly small race that starts at 7 a.m. and parking is pretty easy and the drop bag cart is right at the start.  It is prefect running weather, slightly cool.  Most runners are in shorts and t-shirts, but I have on a long sleeve shirt and gloves.  I elect not to wear a jacket and just have a garbage sack to stay warm at the start.  We find Ms Georgia, who is the 3:55 pacer and chat with her and some of the other runners that plan to run with her for as long as possible.  One lady is wearing a Boston 2012 shirt and we talk about our Boston trips.  She gave up marathons for an entire year and realized she misses it.  She is hoping for a qualifying race as well. Her daughter is there to cheer on her mom. Just before a race gets underway, there is the chatter and nervous energy of runners getting ready to run.  We are warned that the start will be a loud cannon.  A boom starts the race and we are off. The pacer group is quite large and I am running just in front.  I hear the discussion of runners talking to Ms. Georgia and I am content to listen in.  They talk about her upcoming marriage in September.  One runner is so engrossed in the conversation that she slams into an orange traffic barrel and screams, but recovers quickly. 

As the first three or four miles roll by I am pulling further and further ahead, but I can still hear Ms Georgia saying she has the “pace dialed in, no surprises!”  She even comments that she is very precise about being on pace to the second!  For the next three to four miles I am focusing on the fact that I need to pee.  I try to put it out of my mind, but it is annoying.  Each time I see a porta potty, I want to stop, but I keep running instead.  Just before mile 8 I take my only GU out of my pack. I know that if I want to maintain a solid pace I am going to have to consume about four GUs.  I hate eating it, but I know I need to if I want to reach my goal.  Just after I eat my GU they have it on the course.  I take the offered fuel and carry it for the next four miles.  Finally, the need to pee subsides (thank goodness) love when that happens and I lock in a good rhythm with about six other women.  They are talking about their pace and what they need to qualify some know each other, others have just met and are sharing their stories. I settle in with them and feel I can use this little group for awhile. There is one man who also joins in the middle of all the ladies for a few miles.  After mile 11 he pulls ahead as the group slows and I continue running.  I decide to keep the man in my sights.  Somewhere before the halfway point I ingest the 2^nd GU and start to feel good.  Miles ten through fourteen are very scenic with beautiful homes, a golf course and waterways. 

My pace quickens and I pass the man I am following on a downhill section somewhere around the halfway point.  He decides not to let me pass and catches up with me and strikes up a conversation.  We run together for the next four miles.  These four miles are my fastest miles of the entire marathon we use each others energy and conversation to push the pace.  He is from Nashville and moved to Georgia six years ago and works as a Baptist minister.  I say how I always enjoy my time in the south and appreciate the politeness of people.  He tells me that the south is the “Bible Belt” but that Georgia is even more so than other regions.  He points out that, “people have manners in the south.”  It is always interesting to talk to people and hear different prospective and viewpoints.  When I tell him that my husband and I are running the 50 states he says, “oh your husband must be way up ahead.”  When I say he is actually behind me he says, “wow that is a good man you have, he is secure!”  This is also an interesting part of the south to me.  My husband wants me to do well and he doesn’t have a damaged ego if I finish before him, but I guess that is not the case so much in the south. Where you place in a marathon should have no bearing on a person’s self-worth or how secure they feel, but it gave me something to think about.

Between mile 17 and 18, I tell him I need to slow down a bit and wish him well.  He has a few people that he says he wants to beat and off he goes.  I usually take an Advil at the half, but I just can’t muster the energy to move my pack around and take it out.  By 18 I decide to skip the Advil, but I really need it.  My lower back is aching, not something I have experienced before, but my arms just kept swinging and I want to maintain my momentum.  I keep getting a glimpse of the 3:50 pace group up ahead which becomes my new focal point.  I want to maintain my pace and push to catch the group.  With eight miles to go I know if I can maintain my pace I will get a BQ.  I try to maintain my composure, I know it is still possible for the “wheels to fall off the bus” with many miles yet to go. By mile 20 I have stomached another GU and a banana or two and lots of little drinks of power aide and water.  I am trying not to get too excited or celebrate prematurely.  I finally reach the 3:50 group by mile 22.  There are five or six runners hanging in there too.  One guy has a wrap around his knee and is limping off and on.  Just as I get into the group there is a water stop I go to grab a water and someone else takes it. They have to grab another water from the table and I have to stop to get it. In those seconds the pace group pulls away and I spend the next four miles trying to catch it again and never do, but I never lose sight of the group.

The final four miles is a continual fight to keep my pace and not let that pace group out of my view.  I am tired, but I keep saying to myself, “do it now, do it now.” It never gets easier and how nice it will be to get more than a ten minute buffer for Boston. The people along the course are very supportive and encouraging.  It helps to hear positive comments and cheers. 

I watch as the guy in the group limps; in spite of it, he is not letting go of that pacer.  I can imagine the pain he is feeling.  I am feeling my own aches and pains.  This is the first marathon since 2009 that I am running without a knee brace.  My knees are holding up, but I am having some intermittent left knee pain and some IT band tweaks, but if that guy can hang in there so I can I!  As the final miles tick by, I try to relish the course and at the same time can not wait to cross the finish line.  We are getting close as the terrain is becoming familiar; I can see the bridge and the waterway.  Once I hit the 26 mile marker, I enjoy the final .2 downhill grade to the finish line.  The announcer says my name, and tries to pronounce my city, but just says from California.  It is a great feeling to get a finish time under four hours.  Thanks to aging up my 3:49:15 gets me a ten minute plus Boston qualifying time. 

This is a great feeling...5th Boston for 50 years on earth!

As I get my medal and water I seek out a place to sit down.  I find a chair and move it to the sun to stay warm.  Boy, can I feel the aches as I marathon shuffle to finally sit down.

I text my daughter, she is in San Jose for a work function, even though it is early back in California, I know she is up.  I tell her she has to go with me to  Boston 2017.  She is happy for me.  I also text my mom to tell her and my text wakes her up, but she said it is for a good reason so she doesn’t mind.  I text my husband to see how he is doing.  He has two miles to go.  When he crosses the finish line we get a picture with our awesome pacer Ms. Georgia.

On the way to the car we check to see if I placed in my age and I actually got second.  They give me a Snickers backpack and cup.  

We both agree this is a good marathon day with an enjoyable course and a well run event with amazing volunteers and cheering crowds.

Now, it is time for the true marathon, the five plus hour drive to Chattanooga, Tennessee for the next one.