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 3^rd 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)