State Number 22 - Garden Spot Village Marathon

State Number 22 – Garden Spot Village Marathon, New Holland, PA

9 April 2016

Why did the chicken cross the road?  We all know the answer to this: to get to the other side.  But what if the road was covered in slushy snow with hundreds of runners?  Would the chicken get very far then?  And should it even take that risk?

Over the years I’ve run in various climatic conditions such as heat, cold, rain and wind.  Prior to embarking on our marathon excursions, it is customary for my wife and I to monitor weather conditions at the host location so we can prepare accordingly.  In the days leading up to our trip to New Holland, PA, weather forecasts varied depending on what web site we looked at.  But one thing was consistent – it was going to be cold with a chance of some kind of precipitation.  Some said rain/snow mix while others (particularly the local television stations) predicted a chance of snow.  Naturally, we prepared for the worst case scenario – snow.

Several years ago, I embarked on a red-eye flight from Maui (OGG) to LAX, so I had an idea such a flight had in store.  The first leg of this journey wasn’t much different, but instead, involved a non-stop Alaska Airlines red-eye from LAX to Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI). 

Being as tall as I am, sleeping in an aircraft seat is difficult for me since they don’t recline much and I can’t get comfortable due to the seat and leg clearances.  One thing I found troubling were the flight attendants waking people asking if they would like a drink or something to eat.  Really?  Awakened with a question like that I’m sure didn’t sit too well with other passengers.

We landed at BWI Friday morning around 0610 EDT.  The sun was beginning to rise over the eastern horizon with partly cloudy skies.  We were a bit sleepy-eyed coming off the plane (not to be confused with Johnny Horton’s 1961 hit “Sleepy-eyed John”), but walking through the airport provided some sense of alertness and awareness.

The restaurants, shops and kiosks in the airport’s concourse were all closed and there was an eerie quiet except for the PA broadcasts.  I found it surprising how many people were at the airport at that time of morning, either coming off a red-eye or voyaging off to some destination.

We caught a shuttle bus just outside of baggage claim to the Alamo rental car facility located just off the airport grounds where we claimed a Chevy Sonic for our marathon expedition.  Before taking possession of our car, we informed the good-humored Alamo attendant that we hailed from California and weren’t used to the colder weather, let alone, snowy conditions.  He said that if it does snow, it wouldn’t stick to the road since it is too warm and we shouldn’t worry.  He informed us that he used to be a cop and said if we kept speeds under 10 mph over the speed limit, we wouldn’t be lit up.  That was comforting to know.  Nevertheless, we just had to be aware of speed cameras in and around construction zones along the interstate freeways.

Typically, our excursions include running two marathons in two different states as a way to minimize travel.  Saturday’s Garden Spot Marathon was in New Holland and Sunday’s marathon was the Runners Marathon of Reston (RMR) in Reston, VA, northeast of Dulles Airport (IAD), about three hours apart.

We left the rental car facility around 0645 and headed north on I-195 to I-83 via the Baltimore Beltway that led us into Pennsylvania.  The sun was low on the horizon and gave us fits with glare.  The visors didn’t help due to the sun’s low angle and we needed to be careful during the morning’s peak hour rush in the Baltimore metro area.

I knew of a Pennsylvania Welcome Center/rest area just past the state line and suggested we stop there to take a short nap before proceeding.  Besides, we had oodles of time to kill before packet pick-up in New Holland, so the extra rest wouldn’t hurt.

We exited I-83 into the Welcome Center a couple of miles past the Pennsylvania state line.  At the visitor center, I picked up a Pennsylvania map and some visitor guides to Lancaster County and City for ideas of things to see and do as well as a Whatchamacallit candy bar and a 20-ounce Diet Coke from the facility’s vending machines to take the edge off the hunger pangs we were experiencing.

For the time being, the snack quelled the beast inside me.  Perusing the visitor guide, I found that James Buchanan, the nation’s fifteenth President, lived and is buried in Lancaster.  The city is also home to another attraction, the Rock Ford Plantation.  We made it a point to see these landmarks on our way to New Holland.

Now that our hunger was curtailed, it was siesta time.  We both reclined our seats and tried to get some shuteye.  I found it difficult with the sun shining through the window so I put a coat over my face, but the sun only warmed the coat which warmed my face and made for an uncomfortable nap.  We, maybe, managed about a half hour nap, but that was better than none.

After our rest stop, we drove north on I-83 through the City of York and onto eastbound U.S. 30 towards Lancaster.  Our first stop was President Buchanan’s Wheatland estate.  Soon after we turned into the parking area, it began snowing lightly.  The car was so warm, we ended up taking a second short nap before venturing out.

After our brief catnap, we walked over to the Lancaster Historical Center to use the restroom facilities and to peruse whatever seemed interesting.  A tour of Wheatland mansion set back the ordinary soul $15 per person, so we decided not to tour the mansion.  We instead walked the grounds and peeked into the windows, took a few pictures and can now say we’ve been there and done that.  The skies were clouding up and it was turning cold and windy, so it was time to dash over to Rock Ford Plantation.

I set the address into my iPhone Google Maps app and followed Siri’s directions.  On the way to the plantation, I noticed a sign that read “President Buchanan’s Grave” at the Woodward Hill Cemetery’s Chesapeake Street entrance.  I made a note of the location so we could see the place following our visit through Lancaster Central Park and the Plantation.

Lancaster County Central Park is the largest park in the area spanning about 500 acres and located on the southern edge of Lancaster City in West Lampeter Township.  The beautiful park setting is home to many activities for residents and visitors such as a large pool, trails, gardens, skate park, environmental center and the most popular attraction, the Garden of Five Senses with its beautiful settings of flowering plants, trees, and a water fountain fed by a stream running down the hillside with energy attenuators used to reduce in-channel water velocities.  This garden lives up to its name by stimulating all the senses.  Interpretive signs, also written in Braille, along the garden's meandering walkway explain how each of our senses works and how we and other animals use them to survive.  Our visit to this garden was short lived due to the cold and windy conditions.  Only a few brave souls were out and about.

Just beyond the Garden of Five Senses sits Rock Ford Plantation.  The mansion is the preserved 18th century home of Edward Hand who served as Adjutant General to George Washington during the American Revolution and sits on 33 acres at the southeastern edge of Lancaster City surrounded by Lancaster County Central Park.  Rock Ford is widely considered to be one of the best preserved examples of Georgian domestic architecture surviving in Pennsylvania and the most intact building predating 1800 in Lancaster County.  Rock Ford offers visitors an example of sophisticated country living during the early years of our country.

We decided not to tour or walk around the mansion grounds based on some signs indicating that the area is private property and reservations may be required.  No photos were to be taken, however, we did sneak in some photos on our way out.

After leaving the park, we drove back to the cemetery to see Buchanan’s gravesite.  The cemetery holds graves dating back to the 1850s.  The curvy narrow lanes and inadequate signage made the mission of finding the gravesite rather challenging.  I noticed a hill/high point on the grounds and it would only seem logical that a president would be buried at the top of the hill.  I was right.  At the foot of his gravestone was a square and compass with an inscription that he was a member of Lancaster’s Masonic Lodge No. 43.

It was time to have some lunch.  My wife did some prior research for places to eat in Lancaster and found Salt and Pepper Italian Bistro and Pizza.  I entered the address into Google Maps and followed Siri’s directions.  Unfortunately, she guided us to a wrong location into a condominium development on the southeasterly side of Oregon Pike.  The correct location was actually on the northwesterly side of Oregon Pike tucked in a rather new residential loft/commercial development. 

Unique to this establishment, I noticed various salt and pepper displays and light fixtures made from salt and pepper shakers, pasta strainers and pizza plates.  The menu consisted of many scrumptious Italian dishes.  I decided on a Philly cheesesteak, wiz wit, hoping it was as delicious as a cheesesteak I once had at Geno’s in Philadelphia.  My wife had a slice of cheese pizza and a plate of manicotti.  Unfortunately, the cheesesteak was not as good as Geno’s, but was rather delicious.  I seem to compare cheesesteaks to Geno’s and will hopefully find a place that serves better steaks than Geno’s.

We left the restaurant around 1230 and had ample time to spare before the marathon’s expo at 1400.  We found a Walgreens where we picked up a few odds and ends for the weekend before heading east on U.S. 222 towards Ephrata where we stopped at a McDonald’s for a dollar drink and to burn time before the expo opening.  Three teen-age girls giddy about receiving their first McDonald’s pay check provided some entertainment in the meantime.

Around 1400, we left Ephrata for the twenty minute drive towards New Holland.  The Garden Spot Village complex was just off Kinzer Road and was very easy to find, given that New Holland has around 6000 residents.

Various tents were set up on the village grounds in preparation for the marathon event.  Packet pick-up was quick and easy.  Since my wife was pacing, her special packet and specially made pace sign was at another table.

Each participant was given two distinct race shirts.  One was a tech shirt to wear running and the other shirt was for running around in.  The saying on the shirt read “The road is my happy place.”  I think it should read “The road is my happy pace” as a play on words as one can run whatever pace they feel like to be happy.

New Holland, Seischwamm in Pennsylvania Dutch, lies in the heart of Lancaster County in Amish Country.  The city is bisected by Main Street with other local and collector streets and roads.  The agricultural rich area encompasses endless farm land, barns, silos and stables covering the rolling terrain throughout the county.

After we left the Garden Spot Village complex, we drove to the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn in the hamlet of Bird-in-Hand just west of the city of Intercourse.  The hotel stay was complimentary to marathon pacers, so who could pass up a free night’s lodging?

On our way, we encountered several Amish horse and buggies sharing the road with other vehicular traffic.  Each one had the distinctive red reflectorized triangle on the back side complete with turn signal lights.  I found this mode of travel quite interesting and was fascinated with the Amish culture.

During my college days, I took a course in geography as part of my general education requirement.  The professor I had completed his doctoral research on the Amish culture.  He lived in Lancaster County during that time and was always lecturing about his experiences with the Amish and that if one ever had an opportunity to visit the county and the people, it was a must.  I haven’t forgotten that geography class nor the professor’s lectures, and nearly thirty years later, that opportunity came knocking with the running of this marathon.  The visit to Lancaster County was truly a treat.

After we checked into the hotel, we strolled over to the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant for a dessert treat.  The restaurant was famous for Pennsylvania Dutch home cooking.  It looked to be a busy place with many patrons either at the smörgasbord or ordering a la carte.  The restaurant gift shop displayed a variety of locally made Amish foods, quilts and arts and crafts available for sale.

As I browsed the menu, shoo fly pie immediately caught my eye.  I heard about this pie from my geography class lectures, so I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.

The molasses pie traditional with the Amish derives its name from the sweet molasses odor that attracts flies and, hence, must be shooed away.

I ordered a warmed-up wet bottom version topped with whipped cream over the gooey custard-like pie filling.  I had visions of it tasting like dark Karo Syrup my late uncle once poured on his pancakes, so I was a little apprehensive at first.  But after the first bite, the pie exceeded my expectations and was absolutely delightful. 

My wife ordered a slice of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting with a side of vanilla ice cream.  The piece was rather large, but she said it was really good.  Too bad I only had one slice of pie, I could have eaten the whole pie – but I wouldn’t want to know the subsequent consequences of partaking in such indulgence.

On our way back to the room, we noticed a horse and buggy parked under a parking structure for such vehicles.  I didn’t realize specialized parking areas proliferate at area businesses.  Duh, it’s Amish country.  Where else can one park a horse?

Parking for one-horsepower vehicles

Before entering the hotel building, we noticed a maintenance worker loading tools into his van.  My wife declared we were from California and were not used to the cold weather, as she was bundled up in multiple layers.  He chuckled and surmised we must have been from Florida.

After our passing encounter, we entered the indoor pool area complete with two pools and a large hot tub.  The temperature in the pool area was hot, steamy and muggy, but was better than being outside.  There was also an outdoor pool, but needless to say, it was closed for the season.

The hot tub was relaxing with powerful jets to relieve aching muscles.  My wife had too much jet time which caused her muscles to be a little sore afterwards.  I had to get out within a half hour because I was sweating and getting overheated.

The day was pretty much over and we were getting tired from all the traveling and excitement the day brought.  I don’t know if it was just being overtired, from the in-room refrigerator noise, or from the heater, but we didn’t get much sleep that night.  The marathon started at 0800, so being able to “sleep in” was pleasant.

When we woke up, I looked outside to find it wasn’t snowing at the moment.  I had hopes that the forecasted Alberta clipper would hold off.  The news channels forecasted the front to come through the Harrisburg area around 0830, so the likelihood of a snow storm was a real possibility.  All I knew is that it was an experience we wouldn’t forget.

When we arrived at the parking area, volunteers were directing traffic to a grassy area at the Garden Spot Village complex.  That had me concerned.  What would happen if it snowed and all the half marathon traffic leaving the area caused a muddy mess?  Would we be able to get out easily?  That turned out to be the monkey on my back throughout the marathon.

We parked about 45 minutes before the start time.  The snow was just starting to fall and was beginning to accumulate on the lawn area.  We made a quick trip to the porta potties, but that only made our shoes wet and feet cold.  I knew that we were in for a fun day in the snow.  We spent as much time as possible in the car, as were many other runners, keeping warm as time permitted.

Just before the start time, we walked over to a warming tent where we donned our plastic parkas to be used for warmth and protection from the elements.  The snow was beginning to become more intense with larger and larger flakes.  Visibility was declining and accumulations were accelerating at a rapid rate.  The roads remained free of slush, though.

We all gathered at the start and a representative of the Garden Spot Village retirement complex offered a nice prayer and sang “God Bless America” in lieu of the National Anthem.  Many runners were singing along which made it kind of special.

With the snow continuing to fall, the horn sounded and the marathon was underway, right on time.  The course was fairly flat at the beginning with the first hill coming at Marathon Mile 4.  It wasn’t steep, but rather a long steady climb for over a mile or so.  A slushy snow was accumulating on the road on the downhill grade beyond the summit which made for slick conditions and it was real important to watch your footing.  The lead half marathoners were making their way up the hill as we were coming down.

That downhill section was part of the famous “hill” on the return part of the course.  At least I got to observe it early on to get an idea of what the return trip will be like.  Using the “free” energy, I charged down the hill.

At the half marathon turn around just after Marathon Mile 7, the crowd of runners immediately thinned out to just a handful of marathoners.  A nice lady dressed as a Holstein cow ringing a cow bell at the turn around was full of enthusiasm and cheering all who passed by.  She told me that she will see me on the return.  I thought, “Ya, you won’t remember me.”

The East Earl Township landscape was beautiful with all the snow.  There was a quiet in the air, excluding the headwinds whistling in the ears, which made the course quite serene. 

Idiot drivers made use of all the slush on the roadways by willfully speeding up and driving through slush and standing water creating unwelcomed cold showers for runners.  I managed two showers from such idiots. 

With the soundless air, one could easily hear horses approaching runners.  They each had beautiful gaits and were so graceful and regal pulling the Amish buggies behind them.  With all the horse traffic, ruts in the pavement were a common feature, but did not affect my running.

The weather turned a little colder as the clipper moved east which caused the Gatorade and water at the aid stations to partially freeze.  The snow made the Gatorade have a slushy consistency which made for an especially cold refreshing drink.  Of course, runners were able to just open their mouths anytime and let the snow provide water or grab a handful of snow from the side of the road.  I know that’s bad advice since that can lead to lower body temperatures and in a cold wet environment, hypothermia is a possibility.

I crossed the half marathon point in 2:14, slightly ahead of my wife’s 2:20 pace time.  I was running pretty much on my own occasionally encountering another solo runner.  Any conversations were short-lived since our paces didn’t match.  Some runners were interested in my 50-state quest and how many I’ve completed while others talked about memorable marathons and experiences.  What else do runners talk about?

The snow intensity waxed and waned several times, but the roads remained free of accumulated snow for the most part.  However, the winds kept blowing and it was nice to occasionally experience a tail wind.  When I approached the half marathon turnaround point, I noticed the “cow lady” still cheering the runners.  I have to say, she did remember me as I passed by and told me so.

During my approach to Marathon Mile 21, I saw the infamous “hill” everyone talks about.  It was easy going down, but now I had to pay the piper for that “free” gravitational energy that assisted me earlier. 

Since I still have a few miles left, I wanted to conserve my energy, so I walked up the hill.  I could have slowly jogged, but it would have been the same speed as walking.  As I cleared the steepest section, I began to run again up the slight incline for another mile or so.  A few people told me that it is all downhill once I reached the top.  That’s what I was looking forward to.

I conquered the hill and reached the summit.  My pace increased through the forested section of the course as I headed down into the farm lands.  The Garden Spot Village complex could be seen in the distance and the finish line was getting ever closer.  The snow was still falling, but seemed to become wetter over the past hour as the air temperatures began to rise.  I was amazed that I was able to keep my plastic parka throughout the entire run.

As I approached the village complex, the anticipation of finishing fueled my legs for a faster pace.  When I turned off Kinzer Road and into the complex, I felt my calf begin cramp when I push too hard.  I had to immediately walk and hold back before it became incapacitating.  For the final 100 meters or so, I was running with a limp trying not to aggravate the muscle too much.  I must have looked ridiculous, but I finished with a time of 4:38:24.

Age graded score: 50.72%

Age graded time: 4:10:05

As I walked around the finish line fence, I noticed my wife finishing right behind me fulfilling her pacing job requirements. 

After receiving our finisher medals and grabbing a thermal mylar blanket, we immediately walked into the athlete’s tent for some food and refreshments.  There were all sorts of food vendors, dishing out chocolate milk and milkshakes, soup, omelets, sandwiches, cookies, chili, recovery drinks, etc.

It wasn’t long before we began to shiver after we sat down in the food tent for some much needed recovery food.  Getting out of our wet clothes was our first priority.  We headed over to the medical tent for some warm air, coffee, hot water and heat packets instead of walking to the car.  The warm air from the portable heaters felt great and the exothermic reactions of those heat packets created incredible heat and had the potential to burn sensitive skin.

The EMTs and medical staff were so accommodating and helpful to everyone trying to avoid hypothermia.  Some people were copiously shivering, while others were not.  We were not at that point, but needed a little warmth before we made the onerous trek back to the car.  It was such a joy to have helpful and supportive staff and I expressed my appreciation to them as we exited the tent.

The walk, or should I say run, back to the car was rather difficult.  The cold air and wet clothes immediately caused us to shiver.  Once we entered the car, I turned on the heater, but that took a while for the engine to warm up enough. 

Getting out of wet clothes in a car is not easy, but we had no choice.  But once in dry clothes and with heat coming out the dashboard vents, we felt like a million bucks…a few bucks at least.

Feeling like a few bucks

As expected, vehicles leaving the grassy parking area created a muddy corridor.  I wasn’t too concerned since the car had front-wheel drive and if I didn’t stop, we would get out.  I stepped on the gas and didn’t let up.  Mud was flying all over and when we finally reached the pavement, I was relieved.  We made it!  All that was left was the three hour drive to Reston, VA via Gettysburg.  After a few final pictures in the snow, we were on our way to the RMR.

On our way out of New Holland, we stopped at Palermo Pizza and Italian Restaurant for a bathroom break.  The odor of pizza permeated the surrounding area and made me hungry, but we forged ahead and resisted the enticement.  After a stop at a McDonald’s drive-through for a dollar drink, we headed down PA Highway 23 (aka New Holland Pike) towards Lancaster.  We noticed the sodas were not very cold and contained very little ice, so I stopped at a nearby parking lot and loaded our cups with snow for a slushy diet coke.  How resourceful is that?  It hit the spot.

Overall, the Garden Spot Village Marathon is a smaller but super wonderful event on a beautiful course through the Amish farmlands.  The organizers do a fantastic job of taking care of the runners with swag and amenities usually not found at other marathons.  The proceeds of the marathon help fund the Garden Spot Village Benevolent Fund to help cover living expenses for residents who face difficult and unexpected challenges.

The medical personnel, staff, and the numerous volunteers were exceptional with generous aid stations complete with Gatorade, water, energy gels and goodies.  Spectators were pretty much scarce; however, which led to some lonely times on the roads.  But, hey, as the shirt says, “The road is my happy place.”

Although the weather conditions were unquestionably less than ideal, I still had a great time and I’m glad I ran the marathon and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.  The few idiot drivers splashing water on runners as they drove by were quite rude, but then again, I guess those folks needed something to excite their mirth.  I hope they got their just delight in their exploits.

Don’t take too lightly the rolling hills in the area.  Without adequate hill training, they can zap your energy for the final push, especially challenging the “hill” at Marathon Mile 21.  I wouldn’t say this course is a BQ course, but if property trained, one could either PR or BQ.  The saying on the finisher’s medal, “I conquered the hill” is apropos.

Stay alert for the horse and buggies.  Runners can usually hear the clippity clop of the horses as they march down the roadway in a majestic fashion, assuming they are not tuned into to their devices.  There are road apples on the road, but the wet weather caused them to dissolve into the water and wash away, so they weren’t a problem.  But in dry weather, they could be a nuisance.

Finally, I give high marks for the race director who made sure his pacers were well taken care of with complimentary lodging and allowing my wife to pace a great marathon.  If I lived in or around Pennsylvania, I would make this marathon an annual event. 

What about the chicken?  In order to avoid the risky behavior of crossing the road, it stayed in the coop out of the elements.  Smart…very smart.

Es gebt viele schwatze kieh, awwer sie gewwe all weissi millich.  Gott segen eich.

State Number 20 - Albany Marathon

State Number 20 – Albany Marathon, Albany, GA

5 March 2016

“Georgia, Georgia, The whole day through, Just an old sweet song, keeps Georgia on my mind.”  This classic song by “The High Priest of Soul” Ray Charles is considered Georgia’s state song.  His birthplace of Albany served as the venue for the tenth running of this great marathon. 

The journey to Georgia commenced late Wednesday around 2330 hours with an early morning drive to LAX.  The light traffic volumes and free-flow conditions on the San Diego Freeway during those early morning hours was a luxury.  We arrived at our usual section in Lot C around 0300 hours.  We took a short nap in the car until it was time to catch the shuttle bus to Terminal 2.

We departed LAX at 0550 hours PST on a Southwest flight direct to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).  The 3h 45m flight landed on ATL’s Runway 8L. 

Final approach to Runway 8L

Atlanta’s airport is the world’s busiest airport in terms of passenger volume and the number of flights and serves as a primary hub for Delta and is considered a focus airport for low-cost carriers such as Southwest, Spirit and Frontier airlines.

The way to the rental car counter involved hitching a ride on ATL’s Plane Train automated people mover.  The Plane Train connects the domestic and international terminals with the ATL’s seven concourses and to ground transportation and baggage claim areas. 

The rental car center is an off-airport facility and customers must board ATL’s second people mover system, the SkyTrain.  The SkyTrain runs between the passenger terminal just outside of baggage claim and the rental car center, with a brief stop at the Georgia International Convention Center. 

We selected a 2016 Chrysler 200 from the inventory of available vehicles parked in the facility’s garage.  It took some time acquainting ourselves to a vehicle equipped with the latest technology and contrivances. 

The vehicle was equipped with smart-key technology allowing us to keep the fob nearby or in our pockets while pushing a button to start the car.  Putting the vehicle into gear required the driver to turn a knob on the console to select the appropriate gear.

It is known that it is human nature to resist change and I am certainly no exception to that rule.  Change is difficult and has been in motion for ages and we will continue to create our own experiences.  It all begins in our minds.  What we perceive as normal or abnormal, conscious or unconscious are subject to the limitations produced by our inherited and socially conditioned rules.  Whether smart technology is a paradigm shift or not, I’m still old-school and prefer to use a shifter lever and an ignition key.  I guess I just have to awaken to technological changes by expanding my conscious awareness.

The minimal rest and lack of sleep during our early morning drive to LAX and the flight itself, called for us to spend Thursday night at the Sleep Inn North in Macon for some much needed rest before traveling to Albany for Friday afternoon’s packet pick-up and expo.

Our arrival in Atlanta was greeted with rain mixed with sleet and wind, basically, an ugly day.  The drive to Macon was a little hectic at first navigating our way out of ATL.  Traffic on I-285, and elsewhere around the metro area, was nearing peak levels, around a Level of Service D.  As we left the rental car facility garage, my wife noticed the hazard lights were flashing and couldn’t find the switch to turn them off.  After a few miles of this annoyance, I noticed the damn switch was right under my nose.  I must have accidentally pushed the button while messing with the radio.  I thought of it as a way of alerting drivers of the manifestation of our presence and the nasty weather and reduced visibilities caused by the rain and vehicle spray.

As we merged onto southbound I-75 toward Macon, the weather gradually improved, but according to 50,000 Watt clear channel WSB 750, rain and thunderstorms were moving south as the evening progressed.  This could mean Macon would receive rain during our stay there.  However, clear skies and warmer temperatures were forecasted for the weekend and beyond.

After a 2.5 hour 85-mile drive down I-75, we arrived in the city of Macon.  Macon lies on the banks of the Ocmulgee River in Bibb County with a population of approximately 150,000 virtually in the geographic center of the state, hence its nickname, “the Heart of Georgia”.  The city has scattered multi-story buildings served by three interstate freeways, I-75 running from the Miami metro area to the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge at the U.S.-Canada border, I-16 running from Macon to Savannah, GA and I-475, given its number convention, is a radial loop bypassing Macon to the west.  Various U.S. and state highways also serve the city, most notably “Highway 41” mentioned in the Allman Brothers’ song, Ramblin’ Man.

Feed your pizza addiction

Rain started to fall as we entered Macon on our way to a pizza meal (what else) at Ingelside Village Pizza.  The restaurant received good reviews for their hand-tossed New York style pizza pies, so we tried it.  Our order consisted of a twelve inch half cheese and half roasted garlic pizza.  My half was the garlic side with my wife choosing the cheese side.  The center of the pizza could have been more substantial and the edges were a bit thick, but tasty.  There was too much cheese, not enough marinara sauce and the whole pizza was a bit on the greasy side than the average pizza parlor.  The pizza was nothing special to write home about, but the garlic provided a good flavor. 

Gloomy day at the Big House

I found the inside of the restaurant to have an interesting atmosphere and very eccentric.  It is not luxurious or fine dining, but the establishment was clean and the service is attentive.  I found a number of the signs posted to the wall amusing such as "Hippies use the back door."

After that wonderful lunch/dinner meal, I made it a point to visit the Allman Brothers Band Museum, also known as the Big House, on Vineville Avenue, not far from Ingelside.

The Big House was home to the Allman Brothers, their families, friends and roadies in the early 1970s.  Their great songs such as Midnight Rider, Ramblin’ Man, Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More, and Leave My Blues at Home were all written in the house.  It’s an interactive museum that houses the world’s largest collection of the band’s memorabilia.  I am a fan of classic and southern rock of the 70s and a tour of this house was fascinating. 

Outside behind the house was a sign that read “Hippies use front door – no exceptions”.  This is contradictory of the sign back at the pizza parlor where hippies were to use the back door. 

Don't think about using the back door

The hippie culture seemed to have integrated into American society in the 60s and 70s.  Since the Allman Brothers were popular during the 70s, hippies may have been welcomed at the Big House and they were allowed to use the front door, where others had to use the back door.  Is this to say that hippies weren’t allowed to use the front door at Ingelside?

We left the museum as the rain became more intense.  The next stop we were interested in seeing was the Hay House and the Cannonball House in the downtown area of Macon.

The Hay House built in the mid-1850s, officially known as the Johnston-Felton-Hay House, on Georgia Avenue was a little tricky to find as it was not well marked.  The Italian Renaissance Revival style house sits atop Coleman Hill and was designated a national historic landmark for its architectural distinctiveness.  It was nearing 1700 hours and the mansions closed up shop at 1630, so any tours will have to wait for another day.  Tours of these mansions were not atop my list of things to do, but at least I could say I’ve been there.

After the Hay House, we walked over to the Cannonball House off Mulberry Street.  This house of Greek Revival architecture was constructed around the same time as the Hay House and was damaged from a cannonball being fired by the Union during the Civil War’s Battle of Dunlap Hill from across the Ocmulgee River.  The cannonball bounced off the sidewalk in front of the house and penetrated one of the columns on the porch and into the house.  The damage can still be seen in the exterior column as well as a large dent in the door. 

The weather at that time was starting to turn ugly and it was time to check-in at the hotel for the night.

Rain, thunder and lightning rattled the hotel complex throughout the night.  The rain was so heavy, the parking lot looked as if it was beginning to flood; however, the drainage inlets in the parking lot seemed to be engineered correctly to accommodate all the run-off without any flooding fears.

Sitting by the dock of the bay

Friday morning welcomed us with cloudy skies, likely from the departing upper level trough of low pressure leaving behind its residual moisture.  The weather forecast was for sunny skies and great running weather for the weekend. 

Before our 2.5-hour drive to Albany, we included a visit to the Otis Redding statue at Gateway Park and the Ocmulgee National Monument, both situated along the Ocmulgee River.

Otis Redding was born and raised northwest of Albany and made the Macon area his home.  He died in a plane crash in December 1967, just three days after recording “The Dock of the Bay”.  The bronze statue at Gateway Park memorializes him as he sat at a dock writing that famous song.

The Ocmulgee Monument is a preserve once home to prehistoric southeast indigenous cultures over the past 17,000 years.  Several ceremonial and burial mounds and defensive trenches were built by the various cultures using highly skilled engineering techniques and soil knowledge, coupled with the organization of many laborers.

The visitor’s center contained a treasure trove of artifacts found in the vicinity.  A Clovis stone arrow head dating back to 11,000 BC caught my eye, an indication of how the Clovis people migrated eastward bringing with them their designs and cultural customs to the area.  The Clovis people were featured in an episode of the History Channel’s, America Unearthed.  I wanted to spend more time reading all the factual information and to browse the artifacts found in the area, but, as I peered out the center’s window, I noticed my wife was on a mission to see the mounds and leave. 

I left the center after hurriedly seeing all the displays and took a quick jog down the pathway, over the pedestrian bridge and up a slight incline to the Earth Lodge.  There, my wife told me that a bird was trapped in the lodge and left it for me to catch and release it.  That got my attention since I have always loved birds. 

As I entered the lodge, the vertical clearance was only about five feet at most, making it difficult for someone with a six-foot stature to walk through the tight corridor to the inner sanctum of the lodge.  I noticed a small, frightened nondescript bird battering against the inside glass panel desperately looking for a way out.   As I caught the little avian creature, I immediately knew it was a flycatcher, but wasn’t quite sure of the specie.  I took note of its colors, size and chirps before releasing the bird so I could later identify the specific specie. 

After setting the bird free back into his habitat along the nearby swampy thickets, I had to find out what kind of flycatcher it was.  I put on my Joe Mannix hat and Googled “birds of Ocmulgee National Monument” and found that the Alder Flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum) was among three new species recently reported at the park. 

After browsing an ornithology website, I learned that the Alder Flycatcher is nearly identical to the Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) and is difficult to distinguish other than by voice.  This left me in a dilemma.  To solve this, I compared the two voices from the website’s .wav link.   There was no mistake, the Alder Flycatcher resembled the voice I heard.  Also, since the Willow Flycatcher was not on the bird list, the evidence points to an Alder Flycatcher.

Don't drink the tea!

A walk of the property and seeing the various mounds was a fascinating experience for me.  The information signs along the walking trails pointed out that the civil war had negative impacts to the area and that the railroad traversing the monument caused significant damage to the funeral mound.  The railroad still exists and the damage is still obvious.

After our brief stop and tour, it was time for our 2.5-hour drive down I-75 to Albany to pick up our race packets.

The expo was held at the host hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn on Front Street and Oglethorpe Blvd across from the Ray Charles Plaza featuring a life-size bronze sculpture of Ray sitting at his baby grand piano which slowly rotates around the water feature.  His music is piped through stereo speakers surrounding the piano giving visitors the experience of a Ray Charles performance.

Also featured in the plaza is a sitting area shaped like piano keys, musical note shapes and a large G-clef on the ground.  A plaque is displayed in front to the statue that is also written in braille for the blind.  The plaza is a beautiful area with a view of the Flint River in the background and was recently constructed as a controversial waterfront revitalization project.

Ray Charles at this baby grand

Snickers was once again a title sponsor of this year’s marathon.  So, it goes without saying that Mars products would be available at the expo.  We picked up our bibs, event tech shirts and a number of candy bar samples, which was very popular.  Every runner received a regular sized Snickers bar with each bearing a different noun or adjective.  Mine said “Goofball”.  The expo was fairly typical of a marathon with lots of vendors.

After the expo, we checked in to our hotel for the evening at the Red Roof Inn and Suites on Dawson Road.  The exterior of the hotel looked modern, however, the room and lobby area seemed a little dated.  It looked as if only the building’s exterior façade was remodeled.

Dinner time was fast approaching and we were getting hungry.  Subsequent to a visit to Wal-Mart for some snacks and supplies, we found at the Mellow Mushroom off Nottingham Way, just a few blocks from Wal-Mart. 

The establishment is a funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beers, calzones, pizzas and other items.  Classic rock band art, album covers and psychedelic art adorned the walls.  I surmise that the establishment’s name and design comes from the founder’s eccentric philosophies.  Maybe from Donovan’s hit song Mellow Yellow?

We didn’t know how the pizza tasted, so we each ordered a pizza slice and a salad.  I seemed to have trouble with the salad bowl as it was “crooked”.  I thought the bowl was sitting on a utensil and I was moving it around trying to right it, but the bowl was shaped in the form of a mushroom.  How fitting. 

I ordered a slice of sausage and jalapeños and my wife ordering a cheese slice.  I thought the pizza was nothing special, but was good.  I’m glad we ordered just a slice though.  The waiter was a friendly chap and was interested in and wished us good luck with our participation in the upcoming marathon.

Civic Center (note elevated structure)

The marathon’s starting point was at the Albany Civic Center off Front Street not far from Ray Charles Plaza.  The civic center was built in the late 1980s to accommodate concerts, sporting events, and entertainment shows.  The first thing I noticed about the complex is that it is built on elevated ground.  It is apparent that the structure was elevated to be above the special flood hazard area of the Flint River.  Upon an examination of the flood insurance rate map panel, my hunch was correct.  The structure has been entirely removed from said hazard area.

It was rather chilly that Saturday morning – probably in the upper 30s.  As we walked from our car to the start, we made a pit stop at the Waffle House and they were kind enough to allow us to use their restroom facilities.  We meandered our way into the civic center parking lot, dropped off our drop bag and waited for the 0700 start with the 3:55 pace group (8:57 per mile pace) led by former Ms. Georgia. 

After a few brief words from the race director and the playing of our National Anthem, the loud sound of a cannon’s boom reverberated through the area signaled to all runners that the race is underway.  I always appreciate races starting on time.

All the runners started out in enthusiastic moods and ready to tackle the challenge at hand.  The route took runners over the Flint River, through the campus of Albany State University, through the ancient sand dunes of Albany and back into the city.

Within the first three miles, two mishaps already occurred.  One runner tripped over some broken pavement and skinned up his knees and another runner wasn’t paying attention and ran into a traffic control barrel channelizer drum.  Both seemed ok, but were in some obvious pain.

The pace group held together through Darton State College (around Marathon Mile 7) where it began to thin out and the jovial and good-humored moods of runners seemed to evaporate.  There seemed to be more heavy breathing than conversations, with the exception of Ms. Georgia.  She was always encouraging, positive and supportive to her group and exuded a sense of “you can do it”.  

At this point, I noticed an Albany police officer on his 4-wheel ATV following alongside me.  I wondered why I was so special to have a police escort.  Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.  He was monitoring a hand cycle wheel chair athlete.  We seemed to be leap-frogging each other over the rolling terrain.  The police officer must have been keeping an eye on him in case of any troubles he may encounter.

I noticed he must have been a victim of a stroke since he appeared not to have any movement in his right arm.  I was impressed with his ability to crank his chair using only his left arm.  He forged ahead of me at around Marathon Mile 9.

Maintaining the group pace in the proximity of the Doublegate Country Club near Old Dawson Road (Marathon Mile 12) was becoming problematic as my left soleus muscle began to cramp and tighten with every step.  I crossed the half-marathon timing mat in 1:58 (9:00 per mile pace), just a short distance behind the 3:55 pace group.

Just after the aid station around Marathon Mile 14, it was time for me to self-administer two 500 mg capsules of extra strength acetaminophen with caffeine as a way to dull the pain the last twelve miles seems to present.  After consuming a low-GI energy bar, GU pack and some water, I was ready for the remaining miles.

By now, the pace group was out of sight – and out of mind.  The discomfort in my leg was manageable and wasn’t getting any worse, so I decided to take it easy.  I reevaluated my finish time and set a goal to finish in under 4:30.  The course was now in a beautiful shaded section of an established residential district that wound its way over the rolling hills and around Lake Loretta.

Around Marathon Mile 19 I managed to catch up to the man in the hand cycle once again.  The officer on his ATV was also there.  It really looked like he was struggling and I felt bad for him as he had such a difficult time negotiating the only “hill” on the course.  I heard the officer asking him if he needed a little boost, but he said no, the race was going to be his effort only.  What determination.  I was glad someone was looking out for him.  I did not see him again for the remaining miles.  I later found out that he finished just a few minutes behind me.  Way to go!

As I passed through the Hilsman Park area at Marathon Mile 22, I received a text from my wife that she just finished in 3:49 and was once again Boston bound in April 2017.

The last four miles consisted of a run-walk-run method near the area’s hospital campus, by Tift Park (named after Nelson Tift who once operated a ferry that crossed the Flint River) and a long section down Washington Street to Roosevelt Avenue through the old train depot and down the homestretch of the Riverfront Trail to the finish line near the Albany Welcome Center at the foot of the new Broad Avenue Bridge.

In the for-what-it’s-worth department, the Broad Avenue Bridge spanning the Flint River is roughly in the same alignment as Albany’s original first known prefabricated bridge constructed in the 1850s.  The present day Welcome Center occupies the Bridge House, built in the late 1850s, and housed offices for Tift and the bridge toll taker after the bridge was in operation.  Tolls varied on whether crossing by foot, leading livestock or in a wagon.

I finished the marathon in a respectable time of 4:28:56 (10:15 per mile pace), just under my reassessed goal time.  The finish line announcer calls out each runner’s name as they finish, but the announcer seemed to have had a difficult time pronouncing the name of my hometown, however.  He gave up, and only said “California”.  Not a big deal, but it happens more often than not.

Age graded score – 52.07%       Age graded time – 4:03:34

Finished

I felt great after the race, however, my soleus muscle was still sore and tight and hoped the soreness wasn’t going to affect my performance for Sunday’s Chattanooga Marathon.

We refueled ourselves with some food, water and adult beverages at the finish line festival.  After checking the results postings, my wife found out that she won second place in her age division, so we took a tough walk up a steep incline to the awards tent to pick up her award.  It wasn’t a pleasant experience climbing up the slope after 26 miles of running.  The alternative was a long walk we weren’t keen about.

The award was a Snickers backpack and an etched drinking mug.  Of course for me, no such awards in my future; nevertheless, getting the finisher medal is my award.

After a few pictures of Ray Charles Plaza and enjoying the great weather while listening to his music, it was time for us to hit the road for Chattanooga, TN – without a shower or clean clothes since the hotel wouldn’t allow for a late check-out.  However, I washed my face and arms during a brief stop at Taco Bell as we left Albany.

Ready for another marathon!

Overall, the Albany Marathon affords participants the opportunity to compete in an extremely well-run and organized small marathon.  The expo held in one of the ballrooms of the host hotel was rather small and crowded, but was amply staffed with volunteers, local vendors and various sponsors providing samples of their products.  The Snickers bar placed in everyone’s swag bag was a pleasant surprise.  The race tech shirts were chocolate colored with the Snickers logo imprinted on the front.

Parking in the area is super easy, either in the lot surrounding the civic center or on downtown area streets and/or other parking lots.

The cooler weather was, at least for me, pretty much perfect.  The course is mostly flat to gently rolling with only one hill, but wasn’t much.  It is a great course for a BQ as the event organizers and other runners claim.  There were ample aid stations located about every 1.5 miles or so and were stocked with water, Gatorade, oranges, nuts, bananas and energy gels.  The volunteers were enthusiastic and cheerful.

As an engineer, I observe traffic control procedures and layouts during races and I was truly impressed with the Albany police for their hard work keeping runners safe while moving traffic in a safe manner.  Soldiers, cadets and other personnel from Albany’s Marine Corps Logistics Base were scattered along the course and provided awesome support and encouragement.

About fifteen miles of the course are run through residential neighborhoods and it is always great to see neighbors providing their own drink or food stations from their driveways, or just sitting in their lawn chairs all bundled up cheering runners as they pass.

There are some areas where runners run one to two miles without any turns, but the last few miles contain several turns, so it’s best to pick a good line around the tangents.  As runners turn onto Roosevelt Avenue, course volunteers monitor runners as they cross a set of railroad tracks, but to make the crossing safer, the organizers place a green Astroturf carpet over the rails to eliminate any trip hazard.  The last half mile of the course leads runners down a wide sidewalk through the old train depot and down a concrete trail paralleling the Flint River to the finish line. One must be careful rounding the corner out of the depot and onto the concrete trail as this can be a little tricky, especially if other runners are near.

For a well-organized event on a fast course in southern Georgia – this is your race.