Who doesn’t remember the big 4-0! Marathoning in New Hampshire would be just that – my 40th marathon, 40th state. Same time last year had just finished #10 in western Nebraska. Whole lotta marathoning in 2015 – it’s become a 50 State Quest addiction!
Friday afternoon touchdown in Manchester, then jetted an hour north to Bristol for bib pick-up & a quick drive-through of Saturday’s scenic course ‘round Newfound Lake. Fall foliage in New England – WOW, nothing like it. LOVE our Colorado Aspens but the intense bursts of orange, reds & yellows in New England, mighty magical.
Dinner with Stephen & his family in Concord – then straight to bed, marathoning in the a.m.
-
- Old Country Store, Bristol NH
-
- town green, village of Hebron
-
- lake lighthouse
-
- autumn foliage in New England — nothing like it, anywhere
-
- dinner in Concord w/ Stephen & family
Woke Saturday to grey skies & cool temps – but no rain. Met up with several Maniacs before race start (pre-race pics) & a new marathoner, Rachel from nearby Mass (congrats! all that training & you’re now a marathoner 🙂 ) Today’s elevation map: rollercoaster-liken, continual barrage of rolling hills but nothing crazy steep – ‘though the pitch at mile 18 came a bit late in the game.
Quick blast thru town, then lakeside sunshine at mile 3. Large leafy trees canopied overhead – so much colour 🙂 Held pace thru Hebron center, didn’t slow ‘til the turnaround at Sculptured Rocks, mile 14.
Sun disappeared & wind breezed for the run remainder, flip-side of Newfound.
Tagged Houston-based Andy just past mile 25 & journeyed together to the Finish. Always remember those races where I’ve had friend/family support – thanks Stephen & Sheila! Pretty special, much appreciated.
Celebrated this day at Bristol House of Pizza – ya’ll know how I love my post-race lasagna – FAAANNNTASTIC!
- Next Saturday — Hartford CT (5th consecutive weekend marathoning)
New Hampshire Marathon
#11: K R Haga
Guntime: 4:29:43
-
- 26.2 ’round scenic Newfound Lake
-
- all smiles near mile 15
-
- the big 4-0, only 10 to go!
-
- friends at the Finish: mighty special & much appreciated (thanks Stephen & Sheila!)
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.
-
- 2-loop course: triangle of hills x 2
-
- musket start; Andre the Giant (guy on the right) won today’s race
-
- Amish made ‘medal’, pretty unique experience. Won my age group, finished 16th overall!
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!
-
- Good Morning Appalachia!
-
- early Autumn: leaves turning, corn harvested
-
- steaming blackberry pie at Millers Bakery
-
- turkey on homemade pretzel bread – soft & salty, garnished with local tomatoes, onions & lettuce…food LOVE!
-
- Ridge Way Lumber
-
- buggy (overflow) parking
-
- community dinner fund raiser (supporting Wheat Ridge Amish School)
-
- whole lotta pie
-
- Amish auction – not that I needed a horse halter, but digged the experience
my first Amish buggy
Amish auction (gas-generator lights provided for us non-Amish)
