Tempting

I received an email last night promoting the Phoenix Rock n Roll Marathon in January.  Six weeks rest is plenty, right?

Goodbye running shoes

This was my pair of Nike Zoom Victory + racing shoes.  According to Nike, they no longer exist, and the name is now applied to track spikes.  But this pair of shoes carried me through five marathons, up and down Vermont, a handful of mid-distance races, and countless track workouts and tempo runs.  A great pair of shoes for a lightweight trainer and distance racer.  I don't know if the Zoom Streak 3 is the intended replacement, and I haven't found, nor do I need a new racing shoe for a little while.  I probably should have bought a few after I wore them the first time, knowing how fast product turnover can be.

But their time had come after this last marathon, as I knew they were starting to break down.  The good news is, they found a new home.

After the finish line in Las Vegas, I found a tent for Give Your Sole.  Knowing that I wouldn't be running in these shoes again, and eying the fancy green flip flops they had to offer, I traded my running shoes in.  Give Your Sole collects running shoes at these events and distributes them to people in need in the local community.  Had I known they would be there, I would have emptied my closet.

2010 Las Vegas Marathon

Las Vegas Marathon
Las Vegas, Nevada
December 5, 2010
3:47:11
8:40 Pace

What's not to like about Las Vegas?  Somewhere around mile 20 of this race I realized just how much I really like running and runners.  We were all out there doing the same thing, some smiling more than others, working our legs off and knowing we still had a long way to run.  At mile 16, I had said to myself, "only 10 more miles to go".  Who says that?  In what other context would that comment be appropriate?

So, I ran around Las Vegas for 26 miles.  And for the most part, I enjoyed it.  The race began at the Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Boulevard, and followed out and back for 6 miles, passing the hotels, casinos and monuments along the way.  This was a great way to see the city, particularly without worrying about crossing streets or getting sucked into a casino.  After mile 12, the route was a little less scenic, heading over the highway into a residential/industrial area, completing loops that seemed designed only to find 13 miles of roadway.  More than once, I found myself running in the direction of the finish, only to be routed out on another 4 mile loop.

The support and organization in the race were terrific.  Water was everywhere I needed it, a variety of bands played every few miles, and local cheering squads and fans lined most of the route.  I normally don't run with music, and try to keep a rhythm in my head to match my pace, and I have to say all these distractions drew me out of my concentration and my pace showed the results.  But that's my fault for not maintaining concentration and the mental toughness I needed for this distance.

Looking back over the past few weeks since my last marathon, my training mileage hasn't been where it should have to support this distance.  I caught a really nasty cold that put me out for almost a week, and my longest runs were only 15 miles.  Knowing how I faded after 20 miles in Vermont, when I had been training better, running several 20 plus milers beforehand, I knew the Vegas race wouldn't be my best.  Timewise, I was right, but this was my last marathon of 2010, my fourth of the year, and I was going to enjoy it.

The course is mostly flat, and I aimed for 7:50 pace.  The first 15 miles was all over the place, though, from 7:35 to 8:15.  As I mentioned, I never got my head in the race.  Towards 20 miles, I was out of it, and my goal dropped from 3:30 to 3:40, then beyond.  Miles 21 to 25 saw me shuffling, slow running and walking through water stops.  I was completely out of energy and my legs were beat.  In other words, The Wall.  Once I finally did make the turn toward the finish, I mustered up what I could and ran a slightly respectable last mile.

I'll chalk this up as another learning experience.  I paid attention to my form and how my legs were feeling throughout the distance, and was able to ward off cramps, injury and find muscles that were still willing to work.  However, I think I could have run smarter with a little more attention to my breathing and pace.  This probably would have paid off later in the race by keeping my early miles a little slower, and warding off the damage that can cause.  I'm constantly learning to adjust my eating, weight, race pace, distance and running calorie intake to balance off energy depletion, lactic acid buildup, and to find that sweet spot where I can race through the finish.

Nevertheless, Nevada is in the books.  One more state down, 38 more to go.

Music to fly to

I'm spending a lot of time in an airplane today, vacant seat next to me, nothing but clouds below. Listening to tunes from my phone that I can't really object to; I put them all on there. Now you're stuck with them too.

Nightswimming, R.E.M. - I remember thinking this song was about swimming back in the day, but now I'm going with a swim in life now. Not like when we were young. No worries, not sneaking, just a carefree swim. Damn, it's too cold to swim when I get home.

Roadhouse Blues, The Doors - I have a print of Jim Morrison at home, rolled in its new wrapper. It matches one of Mark Sandman. Really have to get them framed. Sometimes I wonder what they would be writing and singing now. Well I woke up this morning and got myself a beer. The future's uncertain, the end is always near.

Home, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - I found this before going to Nashville and thought it might pass for either Country or Western. It's probably more Folk. Saw a video of this tune. These two are either crazy, crazy in love, or some damn good actors. And the lyrics get you thinking too. Bummed I as away the weekend they played in Newport. But now they're immortalized in an NFL commercial.

L.A. Woman, The Doors - These guys really made the most of a keyboard. There's one part I can only describe as Saloon Music. Where do I find tunes from the guy that used to play piano in old westerns? Who was that guy? Funny how trends in music change and evolve. Can't say the harp is really as big as it once was.

What is that down there? Where am I? Was that announcement really important?

Cheerleader, Grizzly Bear - I really don't know what they're singing about here. Kind of haunting background vocals. Maybe they borrowed the kids from You Can't Always Get What You Want. I remember my brother telling me a story about that choir when I was a kid. Hope it wasn't true, but needless to say, I wasn't joining one after that.

I'm Amazed, My Morning Jacket - A lot going on in this song. Suppose you can either be amazed by an awful lot, or reach the point where nothing surprises you anymore. I wonder what the name of this band represents.

Pets, Porno for Pyros - isn't it interesting the associations we can make with a song. I remember exactly when this was released and what I was doing in life at the time. I've heard youth is wasted on the young. I don't know if I would agree with that, because from the perspective of the young, they might be doing exactly what they want at the time. I wouldn't change 1993.

I Knew, Lightning Dust - I've listened to this tune over and over when I was working on my house. The beat drives you, but at a safe enough rate to still use power tools. And it's over too soon.

Wagon Wheel, old Crow Medicine Show - this was the song that actually was played everywhere I went in Nashville. Not sure if it's Country or Western. But it is catchy and you can learn the lyrics on your first try.

Who is eating Buffalo chicken?

Delia's Gone, Johnny Cash - it was a lucky guy who was his cellmate. Except for the part about being in jail.

Just a Friend, Biz Markie - another tune I remember from way back in the day, and I would think everyone that heard it then would recall it now. Biz sounds like he really got a bum deal here. First use of the term Oh Snap. I made that up.

Shadow People, Dr. Dog - where do all the shadow people go, and how do I get all of this music? Some of it, I really don't know. You could be twisted, or you could be insane; pushing the envelope against the grain. That's the song in a nutshell.

Is There a Ghost, Band of Horses - I remember seeing a few movies when I was a kid that contributed to a few sleepless years. Donald Sutherland will still scare the crap out of me if he crawled out of a pod in my basement. And Poltergeist made me want to cut down all the trees on the block.

I Want You, Bob Dylan - he and I have something in common, but I'd like his music in any case. He has a chambermaid? Was that time in history any more or less interesting and exciting than now? What will be written in 40 years on today?

Just Breathe, Pearl Jam - this group has been playing since they appeared at my college and played to a crowd of a few hundred. Funny name for a band. Wonder if they still find it amusing. Hold you til I die, meet you on the other side.

There are giant, snow-capped mountains below.

Percussion Gun, White Rabbits - love the drum riff in this. I should really play drums again. In my spare time.

Looks like RI would fit in that little chunk of NV south of Las Vegas.

The Weight, The Band - don't know of any other tunes by them. Used to love hearing this performed by the Swinging Johnsons back in Davis Square. Are they passing around the weight of their worlds? Did Luke get a good deal? And why did Crazy Chester want to get rid of his dog?

Ocean, Against Me! - heaven hidden in the ocean, breathed in by sharks and dolphins, working its way into lakes and rivers. At night, we would sleep with the windows of our house left open, letting the cold ocean air soothe the sunburned shoulders of our children.

Riders on the Storm, The Doors - when I spent a few winters working with snowplow and sanding crews, not a night went by without hearing this played over the the two way. I remember Val Kilmer offering his approval to the rain effects in the studio.

Blues Music, G. Love and Special Sauce - if I could sit on my front step in the heat of the summer, sipping a Coke, one from Mexico made with real sugar from a pop top bottle, just relaxing and watching the day fade and life pass along the street, this is the song I would play.

Wouldn't it be nice, Beach Boys - Were they really underage? And do they still feel the same way this many years later?

Friend of the Devil, Grateful Dead - spent the night in Utah in a cave up in the hills.

And down goes my little battery meter. Almost there.

On my way

I'm in the airport, on my way to Las Vegas to run my last marathon of the year. It's only the beginning of the month, but I feel like it's the end of my year. After this race, it's time off for rest and recovery, and easy runs to finish the year.

I keep track of many measures along my way, and I'm pretty sure how this year will end. I've hit a few goals with time to spare, and really missed others. I'm happy with my racing and running in 2010, and I know what I can and need to do in 2011. I guess I'll be working up a new spreadsheet and set of lists soon, making adjustments from what I learned this year, and planning my training and race schedule.

There's always more work to be done and room for improvement, but this has been a pretty good year for me so far.

2010 Green Mountain Marathon

Green Mountain Marathon
South Hero, VT
October 17, 2010
3:28:54
7:58 Pace

This was a great race!  The field was in the hundreds, the location was a quiet town, and it had the feel of a local 5k.  Just a little bit longer.

I wasn't quite sure how this was going to turn out for me.  I trained as best I could over the Summer, but in the last few weeks, I was developing some discomfort in my foot and leg - the same area that has been bothering me for years.  I switched to an old pair of sneakers, and loaded up on the stretching during taper, and it seemed to help.

The race runs along the west shore of an island on Lake Champlain, in a perfect location to catch a breeze off the water.  Most of the route was paved and the other sections were on well packed dirt roads that felt good underfoot.  I drove the course the night before and made a mental note of that last hill at mile 20, and other than that, the rolling route looked pretty reasonable.  The pre-race pasta dinner was hosted in the local school, and it seemed the whole town turned out for the event.  It was a great atmosphere, much different from the huge expos and pre-race events I've seen before.  I was most impressed the morning of the race when I was able to park my car 200 yards from the start.

At 8:30, the gun fired, and a crowd of 400 runners crossed the chalk line.  I was feeling pretty good, and after the first few miles, settled into 7:40 pace.  At the half, (u-turn at another chalk line) I was right at 1:40, and thinking I could go for a 3:20 finish.  I picked up the pace for a few miles because I knew I could use a cushion if I was going to make a BQ, but the marathon had other plans for me.  I was still pacing 7:40 to 7:44 through 20 miles, when we turned west and met the chilly breeze off the lake.  Cooooooold!  My next few miles were getting slower, and I started to assess my legs and overall condition.  I didn't want to push too hard and risk a cramp or injury, as has happened at that point in so many races before.  On the other hand, I was so close, and still slightly ahead of pace.

By 22 miles, I knew enough to let go of 3:20.  I was losing a few seconds, and didn't have it in me to keep pushing the pace.  I made sure to grab enough water when I could and tried to stay strong through the end.  Sure enough, mile 26 was one of my fastest of the day.

I'm happy with this effort, getting my third fastest time, and seeing the results of hard work and good coaching over the Summer.  It's been a while since I've felt this prepared for a race, and it's good to know I can still bring my time down.

Now, I'm off to rest for a week while I figure out how to keep this momentum going for the next one in December.

Marathon racing is a year long process

I know I'm no Ryan Hall.  At least not yet.  So when I read the news that he was pulling out of the Chicago Marathon this weekend to focus on getting stronger, avoiding injury and races ahead, it got me thinking about where I am in my training and how I've been feeling over the past few weeks.  Realistically, I'm not ready to run my best marathon.

I started training for a Fall race almost six months ago, deciding to run in a small race in Vermont.  It looked like a reasonably fast course, it's close to home so I can drive there and only stay one night, and would be a cheap weekend.  Over May and June, I started to recover from my Spring races and built a good mileage base, but the high heat and humidity in July made it tough to keep up the long runs so I turned to shorter, faster workouts. August brought some relief from the heat, and by the end of September, I had run three 20+ mile long runs over seven weekends.  I was gaining confidence in the distance, and feeling like 3:20 was a reasonable goal.

Then, things started acting up.  I've had some discomfort in my foot, leading up through my knee, hamstring and hip on the right side.  This has been an ongoing issue for me since 2005, and it's getting bad at the worst possible time.  I've raced like this before, once, in New Orleans a few years back.  The injury set me back nearly five months, and I don't want to take that risk again.

Knowing that I can still run 26 miles at an easy pace, I'm planning to head to Vermont next week and use it as a good, long distance run.  I'm signed up for Las Vegas in the first weekend of December, so I need to figure out a strategy to keep my distance momentum up, while I strengthen my right side to where it needs to be.
All along, I had planned to race my best time in Vermont, and then enjoy the Las Vegas race, but it looks like I'll be reversing that strategy and need to update my plan.  Distance running for me truly requires long-term planning, and just like the race itself, I sometimes need to adjust my goals along the way.

Good running days

There are mornings when I lie awake in bed for hours, waiting for the sun to nudge the horizon so I can run in the silence of the dawn.
There are evenings when I peel away my work and replace my weight with fast sneakers to run through the woods, watching deer watching me, racing home to beat the light and see planets and satellites before they're lost among the stars.
There are long runs exploring paths and new roads when I feel this is the best I've felt in weeks, sometimes strong, healthy and fast.
There are track workouts that exhaust me, but leave me stronger for the effort.
There are crunch times when five miles is all that will fit.
There are races run, long and short, getting slower, but still hopeful.
There are days I run the best run I'll have that day.
There are seasons that pass, timed by the buds, ducklings, wild grapes and crunch of fallen leaves.
There are many miles behind me, but many more to go.

2010 Stella Blues "Finish for a Guinness" 5k Road Race

Warren, RI
September 5, 2010
5k
21:04
6:47 pace
22nd place


I signed up for this race 30 minutes before gun time, and didn't expect a great time. I ran 15 miles yesterday and have been feeling a little sore in the past few weeks, these fast runs not helping too much. Plus, a few friends were in town for the weekend, and the BBQ yesterday probably wasn't the best fuel to race on.


But 5 of us hiked over there together to share the experience.  The weather was great for the race, and there was a decent crowd at the start.  I recognized some fast feet on the line, and knew there would be some fast finishers.  The first half ran along the waterfront, up a short hill, then across the main street up another hill.  From there, it was all downhill and fast to the finish.  I liked the course because that first half kept my pace in check, but left me feeling good enough for a decent kick.

True to the name, we all enjoyed a Guinness at the Finish.  Thanks to Stella Blues for hosting us. It's a great place to visit when it's not packed with runners.

2010 Red Rooster Ramble 5 Mile Road Race Series-Week #24

Warren, RI
5 Mile
34:51
6:59 pace

This was the last Ramble of the season, and it ended on a high note.  No, not the running part, but the post race gathering.
I knew some time around noon that this wasn't going to be my best night for running, and wasn't feeling quite right for a race, but I went out there and ran my best.  I do like repeating the same course over several races to truly compare results, and this is a friendly and competitive group to run with.
I'll be back next year.

2010 Red Rooster Ramble 5 Miler, Week 22

Warren, RI
August 19, 2010
34:06
6:50 pace
8th place

This was my third try on this course this Summer, and they aren't getting easier.  The weather was decent, warm, but not too humid, and there was a strong showing with plenty of people around me to chase after.  I've been keeping up with my track workouts on Wednesdays, and having run repeat 800s last night, lots of them, my legs weren't as fresh as they could be.
I worked pacing this race to be able to pick up a few spots or seconds in the last mile.  I probably started out 10 seconds too fast, but I felt pretty good near the end, passing one runner at mile 4, fending off another trying to pass me at the same spot, and sprinting the final 50 to hold my spot.
This is a fun race for me to run, and it's good to see familiar faces on the course and after the race for some rehydration and pizza.  Just might have to try it again next week.

2010 Red Rooster Ramble 5 Miler, Week 18

Warren, RI
July 22, 2010
33:58
6:48 pace
3rd Place

I haven't placed this high in a race since High School.  To be fair, there was a field of 50 or so, the race was held in the middle of a 2 week heat wave, and the following night was a big race attraction in Southern RI.  Still, it's in the books as a bronze.

I've run this course before, and know exactly where the mile markers are, but the fun part comes in the sprint to the finish.  The last mile is along the East Bay Bike Path, with a few curves along the way.  You can't see the finish until it's 100 m away, and the person who finished 1 second ahead of me know that better than I did, as she out-paced me to the finish.

I took a few seconds off my pace from the last 5 miler, and I felt pretty good after the race.  Still not at the pace I'd like to see, but I'm making progress.  The last two weeks were really tough to train, with temps over 90 and high humidity, and my runs haven't been pretty.  The best part of this race came with the announcement at the start, that this was the Christmas in July Edition.  At the 1 mile mark, there was a group of elves handing out presents.  If you took one, you had to carry it the rest of the way, and you couldn't open it before the finish.

Being the serious runner that I am not, and running in second place at the first mile, I imagined the treats hidden inside the carefully wrapped boxes.  I drifted toward the smallest elf I could find, who seemed to be holding a shoebox up without much effort, and ran off with my loot.  The box felt empty, but you still tend to notice it when you're trying to race another 4 miles.  In the end, I won a free entry to another race in the series.  Worth the effort, and easier to carry than a sack of potatoes.

I'll be back for another one.

30th Anniversary Little Compton 4.8 Mile Road Race

July 10, 2010
Little Compton, RI
4.8 miles
32:15
6:44 Pace
38th/539 Place

This was a PR for me at this distance.  Also, my first 4.8 mile road race.

Little Compton is a small, rural town and this race provided a great venue to see the landscape.  From the Town Center and school, through the rolling hills, by farms and a gas station which sells only 87 octane, the route provided great scenery to a good-sized crowd.

I started at the front of the pack, as the first 100 yards narrowed from two lanes to one, and tried to keep a conservative pace.  I'm still not feeling very fast at any distance, and knowing this was a good deal longer than the 5k's I've been running, I wanted to have some energy for the last mile.  I'm not sure the mile markers were accurate, since my times were all over the place, but I did pick it up after the 4 mile mark, and passed a few groups of people.  I've been running a few 1200m loops at track workouts, and put that pace in my mind for the last 0.8 miles.

Here's a lesson I learned from my high school track coach:  finish a race 10 yards after the finish line.  I gained my final spot within the last few yards of the race, because of an overhead banner that appeared to be the finish line.  Another runner had just caught me and stopped under the banner, but I kept racing to the clock ahead of me.  That kept me one spot ahead of him.

Overall, I'm happy with the result.  The day was very hot and humid, and I'm just not in the shape I was in two or three years ago.  I also spent the last two weeks on vacation with not so much running, and a few too many calories.  I'll have a few more short, fast races this summer and keep working on my time.

Next up, the Blessing of the Fleet, in Narragansett.  10 miles of fun.

2010 Will Speck Memorial 5k

Cranston, RI
June 20, 2010
20:49
6:43 pace
28th place

I have run a 5k slower than this, but not for 5 years.  I was really disappointed after this race, since it's a team competition, and the top places count.  But my legs have nothing left in them.  I've been feeling this way for a few weeks now, and not getting much better.  Throughout the race I felt weak the whole way, with no kick left in the last mile, or the 300 meters around a track to the finish line.  Yes, it was over 80 and humid, and the course was mostly rolling hills, but I'd rather be getting faster than slower.

I've been increasing my mileage gradually over the past month, running up to 36 miles last week.  But even my shorter runs have left my legs tired.  This race felt like a marathon finish.

I'll see what this week brings, and if my strength comes back as I get used to the mileage.  I'm open to suggestions.

My week of "rest"

I ended last week with an extra-slow long run. After two races and a track workout, my legs were getting pretty rubbery.  Might not have gotten enough rest after that last marathon, and it is still lingering.  This week, I missed the track, and put in some long, slow distance.  I'm definitely feeling a little better, even after a nice 10 miles around my town last night.  Saturday, I'm planning to bump up the miles from where I've been, and should be able to handle it.  I don't want to fall too far from marathon distance training.  So, I'll call this an off week or recovery week, or mental health week.  Whatever the name, I needed it.

As far as marathons go, I'm heading to Maine and Cali this Fall, and planning my weekly mileage and work leading up to them.  Gotta keep getting those states in.

2010 Red Rooster Ramble 5 Miler, Week 11

Warren, RI
June 3, 2010
34:22
6:53 pace
7th place

I definitely lost some time each mile I ran tonight, starting around 6:45, and running mile 4 at 7:00.  I've had a hard week, starting with a 5k, running a good workout last night, an easy 4 miles recovery this morning, and opting in for a 5 mile race an hour before the start.  But I still don't feel strong and fast on my feet.  I'm gradually adding mileage recently, and feeling healthy overall, but still not great.

The weather was hot, humid, almost dank.  But a warm dank.  I skipped the water stops, because I didn't want to lose time in such a short race, and I think it's safe to say I lost a few pounds by the end.  Post race included a beer and pizza, prime recovery fuel.

This series runs every week, and it's close to home, so I'll be back on the course, hopefully posting faster times along the way.

2010 Barrington Firefighter's Memorial Day 5k

Barrington, RI
May 30, 2010
20:14
6:31 pace
12th place

I ran this race last year, and finished a few seconds faster.  Like Indy once said, "It's not the years, it's the mileage."

The weather was perfect, and I felt like I should have run faster.  Did you ever get the feeling that you're just not fast any more?  I couldn't do anything to push my legs.  Definitely need to spend some more time at the track, and get out of marathon mode.

2010 Nashville Country Music Marathon

Nashville Country Music Marathon
Nashville, TN
April 24, 2010
3:41:10
8:26 Pace

This race was somewhat of a redemption for me.  After busting over four hours in Little Rock 7 weeks ago, I needed to get my head together and run a decent race.  Naturally, there were plenty of distractions:
Tornado and storm warnings in the area, rain starting at my mile 24.
35,000 runners - most of them running the half marathon
Constant rolling hills throughout the course
Shortage of facilities at the start
Surprise, starting 15 minutes early
Missing my corral and starting a few thousand people behind my pace
Meeting up with half-marathon runners at my mile 19, while they were on their mile 13.  At this point, I was running up a hill, banging into people that were either walking or running a significantly slower pace than I was.
Race directors pulling runners off the course at mile 13 and 20 if they weren't going to finish in less than 4 hours.

But the good news was, I wasn't distracted from my pace.  After a slow first mile, I settled into 8 minute pace and held it for 20 miles.  The last six miles or so, I lost some time, but kept my pace as fast as I could hold without feeling like my legs were breaking down or cramping.  The distance did start to wear at me, but I never walked, and my water breaks were as short as possible.  Thanks out to the local Harriers chapter for the beer at mile 23.

I'm happy with this effort, because I feel like I'm mentally back into running this distance, and I know with a bit of training, I can improve my time.  I felt as good as could be expected at the finish - no cramps, knee or hammy pain.

Post race, we visited the local Honky Tonks, ate BBQ, had a few beer and enjoyed the live music everywhere.  Nashville can be a fun place to visit when you're trying to make up some calories.

I'm not sure where the next race will take me.  I'm planning to get some good training work in this summer and race a fall marathon, maybe add in one or two more just for training and fun.

Next Stop, Nashville

Counting down the days to the Nashville Marathon.  

Last night, I ran my first outdoor track practice of the season, with my new running group.  It's always an interesting experience for me, trying to fit in with a new group of runners, finding paces and distances to compete with.  We're all there for the same reason, but with mostly different goals in mind.  The good news is, there are plenty of runners ahead of me to keep me motivated.

I'm still on the lookout for a Fall marathon, aiming to get back under 3:30.  With the good weather and lots of daylight, there's nothing but a lack of sleep to get in my way.

2010 Little Rock Marathon

Little Rock Marathon
Little Rock, AR
March 7, 2010
4:08:01


There's a lot to like about Little Rock.  The town is beautiful, easy to navigate with interesting architecture.  Along the River Market block, restaurants and bars line the street, backing up to a riverfront park and pavilion.

This was the scene for the start and finish of the Little Rock Marathon.  I arrived the day before the race, visiting the expo, seeing some familiar faces from past races, and made my way to the starting area.  After walking around for a bit, and taking a quick snooze in the sun, I met up with my racing partner and took in some pasta.

The race was small and well organized.  The start was hosted by Bart Yasso, inspiring the crowd for the miles ahead.  The route travelled along the streets of Little Rock and North Little Rock, (the mayor of N. Little Rock greeted runners on the bridge into his town, and again on the way out), past the Clinton Library, State House and Governor's Mansion (again, the Governor was shaking hands with runners as they passed).

Then, there was a hill.  It seemed to start around mile 13, just in time for the half-marathoners to miss it, and climb through mile 16.  This was followed by a steep downhill, that reminded my quads they had pain receptors.  However, a nice flat stretch along a bikepath and parkway winded out and back for the final miles back to town.  By the time I reached 25 1/2, I knew where my time was heading, so I happily accepted a beer from the local chapter of the Harriers.

I chalked this up as another state down, and a good experience in marathoning.  My training over the winter was way below where I should be to race or even run 26 miles.  I started slow, and held easy 8:30 pace through most of the race.  For the last few miles, I knew I was reaching my wall, and didn't want to push into injury as I have in the past.  So some long waterstops, shuffles and jogging, I made my way to the finish.  Overall, I'm happy about this race, despite being my second-slowest marathon, and I'm looking forward to better weather, more light, more training, and better races this year.