Race of Champions Marathon

Published May 6, 2018

Another Friday post-midnite arrival, airport hotel sleeps. Free shuttle return in the a.m., rental car pickup. Things to do, people to see AND of course, ‘nother East Coast marathon (state count creeping over 30 now) 🙂

Saturday, play day. Birthday-celebrated with Michaela, afternoon’d in Hartford’s Elizabeth Park. Bit early in the season for roses but gardens of multi-coloured tulips they got. Warm temps, beautiful sunshiny day. Spring has sprung in Connecticut.

Trip to the Disney Store (can always count on Dave) then went our separate ways. Tough to say goodbye. Heart tug 💔

Race of Champions Marathon. Easy hour drive north to West Springfield Mass for bib pick-up. Motel check-in, watched the Kentucky Derby at Roberto’s in Northampton – PIZZA dined, taste buds WOW’d (& boxed leftovers). Highly recommended.

56th Annual Marathon & 4th Annual Half Marathon

Sunday May 6th, 2018 8:00am

America’s 10th Oldest Marathon and the 19th Oldest Marathon in the World….

The race is a full marathon, 26.2 miles. The course is USATF certified and can be used as a qualifying race for entry into the Boston Marathon. The course is very scenic including country roads, both dirt and paved.

Never previously marathon’d in the Berkshires but lotta personal history here.

Hundred years ago I left the South & resettled here (seems a lifetime ago). Springfield, Chicopee & Holyoke – had apartments in each. Took classes in 5 local colleges/universities, pooled my credits, finished 2 degrees in 3 ½ years. Ash was born, Michaela 3 years later. Lotta history, soooo much spaghetti, college poor. Bank teller employed, unloaded planes for UPS, delivered Sunday newspapers AND finished university. 5 years later I’d be working in Russia, travelling Europe kids in tow. Crazy wonderful life.

Sunday morning drizzle, again. Made peace this year, have become a HUGE FAN of RAIN. Cap, light jacket, keeps Spring temps cool/manageable. Bring on da RAIN, this runner fades in heat. Late 8am Start, no chance for a post-race shower. No YMCA with Sunday hours, seeing an airport splash bath in my afternoon future. Sorry fellow travellers. LOL>

One mile of Highway 5, then two miles UP UP UP Reservation Road to Mt. Tom [former ski resort]. Forgotten ‘bout hills. Can suck leg strength dry beginning of a run (lactic acid tight). Today however, really good head space. Slow & steady pace.

Never looked at the course, didn’t know how long this would last…and then, mighty nice surprise. DIRT. Run medicine. Three laps of rolling up-n-down trail, miles 5 thru 12. LOVE LOVE LOVED. Hardest of the day’s rain fell while canoped by tall leafy forest.

Small lake, rocks, lotta tall GREEN TREES. Super scenic.

Next 10 or so miles, road-ran thru small New England towns. Cows grazing/horses/quiet country farms. Folks sleeping, lulled lazy by Sunday’s morning rain. Digged today’s course. Really good head space.

Few congested Holyoke streets before directed on the town’s bike path. Built alongside a stretch of railroad/lotta trees though no canopy (LONG memorable patch of downpour). Shoes SOAKED, feet smacked pavement. Started seeing late Halfers sharing the course. Talked with 2 inspirational Halfers. Lotta weight loss, both ladies HUGE life changes. Not easy to get off the couch & MAKE CHANGE!

Last 2 miles ‘long Highway 5, relegated to urban sidewalk. Lotta roadside trash. It is what it is – but whatta shame, BEAUTIFUL 20+ miles of New England only to FINISH in ordinary. 15 minutes slower than last Sunday. I’ll take it, no frown. WHOLE LOT hillier.

Burgers/dogs/potato salad: HUGE post-race FOOD stretch AND a new Massachusetts PR. I ❤ New England.