2^nd touchdown in Philly in 4 weeks.  Friday post-midnite arrival, airport hotel sleeps.  Free shuttle return in the a.m., bought a ticket on Del Express to weekend’s marathon destination: Wilmington, Delaware (no driving/no rental car/LOVED the break).

2^nd marathon in America’s 1^st State, that’s little Delaware’s claim to fame (similar to PEI claim’s in Canada).  Very different geography than my 2015 experience.  Wilmington’s an urban crawl of Philly; Rehoboth Beach a lazy seaside village.  Same state, opposite end.

DoubleTree host-hotel digs, bib check-in in the lobby.  Check, done.

Saturday afternoon plans?  Delaware’s History Trail, short two blocks away.  Old Town Hall (circa 1798), Delaware Research Library, Willingtown Square & a 2-hour stroll thru the Delaware History Museum.

LOVE American history.  Colonial America, Civil War history in the South & exploration/settlement of the American West.

What I learned ’bout Delaware:  Originally settled in the 1600’s, first settlements along the Christina River made up New Sweden.  Wilmington’s Christina River (flows from Pennsylvania to Maryland) named after Queen Christina of Sweden.  America’s Dutch, Swedish & German colonies were taken by the English in the late 1670’s.  However, English-ONLY wasn’t adopted by the Colonies ’til 1795 (over German).  ALSO, did not realize Delaware was a slave state.  Assumed only the Deep South enslaved Africans as forced labour.

School’s over.  Early to bed, early to rise.  Sunday morning marathon.

Woke to light rain, gusty wind.  Mile walk to Tubman Garrett.  Day’s goal: quick finish for a hotel shower 🙂

2 lap route crisscrossing Wilmington’s Christina & Brandywine Rivers.  Downtown city course, one significant hill (mile 7/mile 20), nice forested stretch thru Brandywine Park.  Overcast, cool temps (albeit windy) – all the right elements for running.

Ran STRONG today.  first sub-2 Half of the year.  Didn’t drop pace ‘til mile 19.  Fell off for 5 miles, finished last two miles just over 10 min/pace.  No ear buds, no drama – FINISHED with a smile.  Marathon weekend 5 of 6 & I’m only getting STRONGER ❤

SUCCESS?  Scored a shower before flying home.  Next weekend: Massachusetts.

K R Haga has just finished Delaware Marathon in a time of 04:18:58 with a pace of 09:53 min/mi.

 

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