27 - Freedom's Run - Harpers Ferry to Shepherdstown, West Virginia

For my West Virginia marathon, I decided on the Freedom's Run Marathon in Shepherdstown, WV. This race was suggested to me by Carol, one of my running buddies from NYC who has friends that live in Shepherdstown.  Both Carol and Dave, another running friend from NYC, decided to join me for the race, which was a great idea because Dave volunteered to do all of the driving (thanks Dave!).

Late Thursday afternoon, Dave, Carol and I left NYC. After driving for almost 4 hours, we stopped in southern Pennsylvania to spend the night with Karin, my childhood friend.  On Friday, we drove on for another 3 hours to Shepherdstown where the marathon was being held.  After picking up our race numbers, we stopped in at the Shepherdstown Sweet Shop Bakery for a snack.  They were selling "marathon" bread so we pick some up for dinner.  On Friday night Stephen and Jeffery, our hosts, made the most delicious pre-marathon dinner — quinoa with lots of fresh veggies. And of course, we also indulged in some of the "marathon" bread, which was yummy;)

On Saturday, it was marathon day.  Unfortunately, we woke up to a chilly and wet, rainy day.  The course was scenic, with rolling hills through the lower Shenandoah valley as well as four historic national parks.  We passed through Harpers Ferry, the site of a 19th century arsenal and transportation hub where railroads and canal boats carried cargo and passengers East and West.  Then, we proceeded over the Potomac River on the Appalachian Trail footbridge and headed west on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal.  At Miller’s Sawmill Road, we headed uphill toward Antietam National Battlefield, the site of the 1862 Civil War fight that was also the bloodiest one-day battle in U.S. history.  It was a tough course but worth it!

Saturday afternoon, we lounged around the house. Early that evening, we went for drinks at Mecklenberg Inn or as the locals call it, the "Meck."  BK (Bar Kitty), an orange tailless kitty was our host at the "Meck."  Dinner was at the Press Room, a local restaurant.

Sunday morning, we had breakfast at Betty's, a local landmark.  Then we hit the road to head to NYC for the long ride back home.

26 - Grand Island Trail Marathon, Michigan - Saturday, July 30, 2011

The Grand Island Trail Marathon in Michigan was my 26th State marathon and my 33rd marathon overall.  It was beautiful trail course that followed the perimeter of this wilderness island.  The running surface made for an "enjoyable" recovery.

Nichol, a friend of mine from NYC who is originally from Michigan, and I arrived in Michigan on Wednesday (July 27) night in a torrential rain storm.  Fortunately, better weather was in store for us the remainder of our visit.  We had lunch with her family in East Lansing; Dad —Bruce; Mom —Vicki; Sister —Chelsea; Brother-in-law —Greg; Nephew —Xavier; Niece —Maya; parent's dog —Pugsley; and finally, the sister and brother-in-law's dog —Macy. After lunch we headed north to the Upper Peninsula.  It was about a 4-hour drive to the bridge.

To be honest, I did not realize that Michigan was divided into the Upper and Lower Peninsula with the Mackinac Bridge connecting the two.  The Upper Peninsula is referred to as "the U.P." And sometimes the residents of the Lower Peninsula are jokingly referred to as "trolls," because they live "under the bridge."  We spent the night in Mackinaw City, which is on the south side of the Mackinac Bridge, on Lake Huron.

On Friday morning, we crossed the Mackinac Bridge and drove along the southern part of the Upper Peninsula.  It was a pretty drive, mostly along Lake Michigan.  We arrived in Munising early Friday afternoon, checked in the for race, and picked up our numbers.  Friday night, we went to the organized pasta dinner at a local restaurant called Sydney's.  To bed early!

We were up early on Saturday to catch a ferry over to Grand Island for the marathon and half marathon which Nichol ran.  There were about 300 runners in the full marathon and 200 in the half. We were required to carry our own water bottles;  it's a "green" marathon.

The course was spectacular —mostly shaded by the forest on single or two tracks and narrow dirt roads, with views of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Lake Superior.  We had to run about a mile of the course on the beach. It was beautiful to the eyes, but horrible for the feet.  We had two choices: we could run either higher on the beach on the soft sand or run down close to the water on the hard sand which was also on a slope.  I opted for the hard sand but ended up getting a blister by the time I got off the beach.

After our run, we celebrated with a swim in Lake Superior - no need for an ice bath back at the hotel.

Nichol and me after our swim in Lake Superior.

Sunday we started heading back to the Lower Peninsula.  We stopped along the way and had a pasty, which is famous on the U.P.  We decided to stop in St. Ignace, which is on the north side of the Mackinac Bridge, and take a ferry to Mackinac Island.  It was nice but too crowded and touristy.  We took the recommended carriage tour of the island and got off the island as soon as we could.

We then spent the night in St. Ignace at a hotel on Lake Huron with a view of Machinac Island.  We liked the view of the island better than the island itself.

Monday we drove back to Nichol's family in E. Lansing.  Monday night we went to see a Lansing Lugnuts baseball game. Tuesday was spent relaxing and recovering from the marathon, and Wednesday morning we flew home. 

13 - Missoula Marathon, Missoula, Montana

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Arrived in Missoula about 2:30 PM. Joelle met us at the airport. Went to the hotel – Holiday Inn. Joelle and I walked over to the expo and got my number, etc. Small expo outside with about 4 vendors. Walked around Missoula. Back to hotel and then out for dinner – Higgin’s Alley. Had spinach salad and rolintini with tomato veg sauce – delicious. Back to hotel and in bed by 8PM. Left knee hurting? Need to get up at 4 AM! First bus at 4:30 – last bus to start 5:30. Race starts at 6AM. 

Weather forecast: 6AM – Sunny 49 degrees F; wind S 2mph

Notes: 2 hour time difference; elevation 3200 feet

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Up at 4:30 AM. Slept well. Took bus to start at 5AM. Race started at 6AM
Clothes: CWR pants, white tank top, white hat, Brooks Adrenaline GTS 7 sneakers
Food: hotel/bus: coffee, apricots, Clariton d, ¼ muffin, apple
Run: At the start- handful of mixed nuts and 2 Acetaminophen – 500mg each, Kashi Chewy Trail Mix bar
After: eggs w/ spinach, English muffin

Back at the hotel: ice bath, ice knees; took nap
Next time: Bring throw away gloves; knee brace

Monday, July 14, 2008

Left arch sore, hamstrings sore, knees not too bad
Breakfast at hotel
Drove to Polson; stopped for Huckelberry Ice Cream; arrived at Hotel in Polson – Best Western Kwataqnuk Resort on Flathead Lake. Dinner at the hotel

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Breakfast across the street from hotel. Dropped Joelle’s car off at Chris’ house. Stopped by her cabin. Drove to Bigfork and walked around. Drove to Whitefish and walked around. There was a farmer’s market. Dinner at a delicious Mexican place – Mama Blanco. Stayed at Aero Inn in Kalispell.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Coffee in room. Breakfast at hotel. Drove into Glacier National Park at West Glacier. Lunch at McDonald Lodge. Walked the trail of the Cedars. Drove the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass. Hiked in the snow to Hidden Lake Overlook ( ~ 1.5 miles each way). Was really slippery; Mark was NOT happy. Left the park at St. Mary and drove to East Glacier. Stayed at Pines hotel. Dinner at a Mexican Place in town.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Beautiful day! Breakfast in East Glacier. Drove back into Glacier National Park along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Hiked to Alvalanche Glacier overlook ( ~ 2 mile each way). Drove into Missoula back to Best Western Kwataqnuk Resort on Flathead Lake. Dinner across the street – Ribs. To bed early.

 Friday, July 18, 2008

Karin called at 7AM. Left hotel about 9AM. Stopped to get snack at Safeway. Arrived at airport about 11AM. Flight was delayed b/c of weather in Chicago. Made our connecting flight just in time.

Haiku

Montana running

Start in Frenchtown, early morning

Breathtaking scenery