Last weekend, I finished my second double marathon weekend to complete states #12 and #13, and it was awesome! On Saturday 10/11, I made my way to the starting line of the NU Hartford Marathon (Hartford, CT). It was a cold and rainy morning, but I've made it through a few rainy marathons, and so I didn't let that get me down. I put on my super lovely looking garbage bag jacket, and it helped me stay warm at the start. I timed it pretty well though, with only about 10 minutes of waiting before starting.
Knowing that I was going to be running another marathon the next day, I took it nice and slow to go easy on my legs and feet. I took off my garbage bag after the first few miles, but kept it with me, which I was sooooo happy about at around mile 14, when every part of me started to freeze from the rain. I pulled it out and put it back on, and it kept me warm until the end. It's amazing what a little garbage bag can do for keeping you warm! It seemed like it took forever to get to the half, which is when I usually feel like I'm getting somewhere in the marathon (it's kind of where it starts in my mind). But after the half, things went a little faster. I ran by some very fun houses that were decorated for Halloween, and the foliage was awesome. There was also a DJ playing Irish music that we passed at mile 10 and again at mile 24 that picked me up a little bit. I wanted to take some pictures along the course, but it was so cold and rainy that I lost dexterity in my hands because they were so cold! Even just getting my sports beans out of the package was an interesting challenge! The legs got a little sore around the same time I started getting pretty cold, and so that was when I needed to dig down and think about my cause to get me through. I kept a nice run/walk pace, and it got me to the end pretty comfortably. I had a new singlet made up before the marathons, and one of the things I love about having the cause printed on my back is that it strikes up conversations with other runners, and I get to share my story, and also hear others' stories along the 26.2 miles. I crossed the finish line of State #12 at about 5:19 feeling good and energized for the next day!
After the finish, I went to the food tent and had one of the tastiest grilled cheese sandwiches - I've never thought of grilled cheese after a marathon, but it was really good! I also got some good recovery drinks and snacks, made my way back to the hotel to pack up and make the 3-hour drive to Scranton, PA for the Steamtown Marathon. The trip to Scranton went pretty well, and I arrived there with time to have a nice pasta dinner, get everything ready for the next day (including taking care of some of the biggest blisters I've ever had - thanks to the rain), and get a good night sleep.
Sunday was an early morning, as the the Steamtown Marathon is a point-to-point marathon, so there were early buses out to the start. We rode the bus to Forest City, where there was the most welcoming group of people I've ever met at a marathon! On the bus ride, I met some awesome runners and we were able to share our running stories of why we run, which was great. One of the things that I love about running is getting to meet new people and learn their stories, and then hopefully see them again at other marathons. It's also a great opportunity to share my story and raise stroke awareness. I still can't get through telling my story without getting a little teary eyed.
We were able to stay inside and warm while waiting for the start, but luckily it was a much nicer day than Saturday - it got up into the 60s and was sunny throughout the entire 26.2 - a perfect day! We made our way to the starting line, and I was ready to go. The first few steps reminded me that I had run a marathon the day before, and the first few miles involved some grumpy muscles, but after about mile 3, everything loosened up and the legs did pretty well for the day. The second day went much faster (even though I was running the same pace), and I reached the half in what seemed like no time. The next mile that I get excited to see is mile 17 - I have no idea why, but it gives me a feeling that the end is in sight. The next mile I look forward to is 21, because it's a nice countdown from there. I had some great conversations with other runners along the way - getting thumbs up for the cause, or questions about what states I've done and what states are next. I also met some fellow Marathon Maniacs along the way, and it's always awesome to meet more maniacs :). Surprisingly the legs and feet made it through pretty well, with just about the normal amount of soreness, and I crossed the finish line at about 5:21 feeling great!
I had a pretty comfortable 7-hour drive back to VT after Steamtown, but I could definitely feel the muscle soreness/tightness when I got out of my car at home (yikes!), but no major issues, and the legs were back to normal by about 3 days later. I was so excited to have finished the double marathon for Tedy's Team and the American Stroke Association, and to spread the word about stroke!
The next marathon (State #14) will be the Publix Georgia Marathon in March, but I'm hoping to fit at least one more in before then. And I'll be looking for another double (or triple) in the spring!
NU Hartford Marathon Highlights:
Great course support
Very organized
Beautiful foliage
Nice option of mailing the race packet out ahead of time if you can't make the expo
The Irish DJ!
Steamtown Marathon Highlights:
Very organized leading up to event (lots of emails)
Organized buses to start
Nicest welcoming group of people ever in Forest City
Beautiful foliage - nice trails
Packet pickup option in the morning
Great marathon all around
#1 Song that got me through a tough patch:
I think I might have listed this one before, but:
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
