Flight booked — this is really happening. Super excited!
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Fri, 15 JAN16 UA1736 DENVER, CO (DEN) 11:45 AM MAUI, HI (OGG) 3:50 PM
9 more 2015 marathons — busy Fall season — then only 3 states left next year: Hawaii in Jan, Illinois in April & Steamboat Springs CO in June…and I’m a full-fledged 50 Stater!
Woke to overcast skies & an hour commute to Ohio – my 39th marathon, Adams County ‘Run with the Amish’.
Today’s course would be my first 2-loop race. Had avoided these in the past, assuming I’d struggle mentally with a 2nd lap after completing 13 miles – would mean I’d see “Hell Hill” twice today. Noticed several Amish teenagers in the crowd. Boys ran in long pants & suspenders, girls in long skirts – none wore running shoes, all 5K competitors. Amish teens, Stutzman & Yoder, finished 3rd & 4th.
Musket start – 4 miles of rolling hills to Unity township, right at the cemetery, steep downhill into the Amish community.
Paced up mile 6 by the lumber yard (first hill), sprinted down – generally I hold back. Go me 🙂 Amish call the hill past Rabers “Hell Hill” – no more than a mile, but at least 30% grade. Positive? Trek canopied by large, leafy deciduous trees – shady & scenic.
No more than 300 runners ran the full 26.2.
Found I enjoyed miles 13 thru 17 the most. Folks finishing the Half cheered us taking a 2nd lap; I shouted encouragement to fellow runners mucking in the cold steady rain. Camaraderie between strangers – favourite part of today’s run. Awesome experience.
Turning the cemetery again, was caught by a runner at mile 18. Moved past chugging up the first Amish hill, briefly lapped again on the straight before Hell Hill. Dug in and pushed UP. Kept a tenth-mile lead out of Unity, pacing strong knowing the last 4 miles would be tough to hold any lead – hills are my equalizer, I’d get caught on the flats.
Runner made his move. Pretty impressive kick after running 25 miles, inspired to mimic one day.
Official results: won my age group & finished 16th overall. Small race but WOW!
Place Name Gun Time Pace
1 K R Haga 4:27:19.2 10:13
9 more fulls this year, taking it one at a time – next Saturday: Bristol, New Hampshire.
Planned my Ohio marathon in Amish country – yes, on purpose – like stepping back in time. Remember Kelly McGillis & Harrison Ford in “Witness”? I do. Intrigued – had no previous exposure to the Amish.
Flew red-eye to Cincinnati, hour nap (across airport seats) ‘til stores opened, rental car pick-up, then another 2 hours sleep in nearby Brown County [rest area]. 9am, splash of cold water – awake, ready to get my Amish on.
Early autumn in southern Ohio: leaves starting to yellow, corn already harvested. Crossed a covered bridge, entered Adams County – sighted my first Amish road sign 🙂
BUGGY!
Kept my distance in the car, not wanting to frighten the horse. Clip, clop, clip, clop, clip, clop – down the paved road.
In only its 3rd year, tomorrow’s race would draw more than 1,000 runners – 300+ would run the full 26.2. Followed the race director to bib pick-up after my GPS left me 4 miles rural at a local farm. No frills race expo with big frills swag.
Left my car at the wood ‘Expo’ building raised by the Amish; took a short walk to Millers Bulk Foods, followed by a trip to the Bakery. Turkey sandwich on homemade pretzel bread – soft & salty, garnished with local tomatoes, onions & lettuce…food LOVE!
Filled the afternoon driving tomorrow’s race route – my first 2-loop marathon – one long grind, 2 big hills…one the Amish call “Hell Hill”. Course not as hilly as West Virginia but bigger elevation gain (higher grade hills).
fave moments:
- horse envy – both carriage & plow horses: well-groomed, beautiful animals
- steaming blackberry pie pulled from a wood oven at Millers Bakery
- Amish bicycles/scooters – big front wheel, smaller back wheel, no pedals (pedals considered a technology, forbidden by the Amish); kids were crazy fast, flying down hills, racing home after school
- buggy parking at the evening’s Amish auction
Unique culture – living much as they have since the 1800’s, an agrarian society with strong religious leanings & no electricity.
Ate with the community at a school fund raiser – smoked chicken, potato salad, homemade ice cream & pie (whole lotta pies). Stayed for the Amish auction – not that I needed a horse halter, but digged the life experience 🙂 Pretty amazing day.
No hotels in Amish land. Stayed 45 minutes away in Maysville, Kentucky (just over the mighty Ohio river).
Early to bed, early to rise – tomorrow I run with the Amish!
my first Amish buggy
Amish auction (gas-generator lights provided for us non-Amish)