The Live Free or Die state of New Hampshire was the site of the 48th state on my quest for 50 States Marathons. Made the 950 km drive from Toronto to Manchester in nine hours as it was almost all highway. Two washroom stops, one gas and one lunch. Went through heavy snow flurries around Montpelier VT., so glad I put on my snow tires the day before. Race kit pick up was at the sponsoring Running store, so no expo to report on.
Race day morning was cold at just below freezing and probably just got to 5C at the end. Elected to wear tights, UA mock neck long sleeved top with a light running vest. Pretty good choice, I think. Just got a little warm for about 30 minutes when the sun came out and the wind was at our backs, but it was overcast for the rest of the run till the very end of the race when the sun came back out. Relatively late start to the marathon/half at 8:50am, so one of the few mornings I could indulge in the Hotel breakfast bar, instead of snacking in my room. Quick 5-minute drive from the Hotel to downtown Manchester for the start. On street parking was relatively quick and easy, as I arrived 90 minutes before race start.
Mid sized race with about 400 in the marathon and 1,000 in the half. Another 500 in a 5K that would start 5 minutes after the full and half marathon start. Lovely course with some spectacular forested trail in their late fall foliage, and four bridge crossing over the Merrimack River. Hilly as heck though. Should have done some hill training, but I was coming back from a calf strain, so training was abbreviated. A little cruel in that you pasted right by the finish line at the 5 mile and 25-mile mark, and a couple of blocks away at the 13-mile mark when the half and full runners split. Went through the half in 2:03.
Inevitable slow down came slowly, but really took hold after 18 miles. Finished in 4:18.11. Which was a little slower than I expected, but I didn’t expect the race to be as hilly as it was.
Got my medal (it’s huge), chicken soup and headed to the nearby YMCA for a shower. Picked up some chicken and fries to eat on the start of my journey back to Toronto via the more southerly route on the Mass Tpk and NY State Thruway towards Buffalo, to avoid snow flurries on the north side of Lake Ontario. Made it back home just before midnight.
Delaware and Alaska left on the quest. PEI to go for Canadian provinces.
