The initial frustration and stress almost made me turn around. While Sitting in traffic I blamed some advice I received and followed for my current present state of turmoil. I was advised to take a hotel for the night instead of just driving up the night before the race. I like to drive late at night when there is no traffic and rest up a bit before events. This event stemmed from my ultra marathon. I had all this fitness and wasn't injured so I decided to do the lake placid marathon on Sunday, June 9. 2013.
I finally settled down when the traffic subsided and I hit the open road. The drive up to lake placid took around six and a half hours, which provided ample time for me to listen to some baseball games while observing the beautiful scenery on the ride up. The scenery was worth the trip alone and glad I decided to drive during the day.
When I finally arrived to the town I felt like I had 5 cups of coffee. I was so excited seeing all the bikers and runners everywhere. I immediately wanted to go explore the area and take it all in with what little time I had before resting up for the race.
I first had to check in to my hotel. I stayed at the golden arrow which overlooks beautiful lake mirror, not far from lake placid. While I was checking in, the girl at the front desk said that if I wanted to go swimming there are no life guards. I respond, "In the lake?" Usually places I go would warn you not to go swimming or suffer fines or penalties. This place I guess they expect all us crazy athletes to not be able to control ourselves and just say do it at your own risk, my kind of town.
Once I got settled I took off exploring for some food. After talking to some people around the town I stumbled across the lake placid pub. I got their I.P.A while I waited for some pizza. After chatting it up with some of the guys at the bar I got my pizza and went back to my room to do the task of getting everything perfect for the morning. That usually takes me around 2 hours cause I'm particular about where everything needs to go. The pizza and wine helped me relax during this pre race ritual. Other necessary fuel I brought up were pop chips, zevias, and sobe 0 cals. (Think I've been overdoing it with the stevia)
In the morning I got suited up in the usual marathon gear which include an under armor heat gear shirt, Adidas shorts, and my Nike shoes with the addition of arm warmers for a change. I pinned my bib on (without poking myself for once) and had some coffee while reading and waiting for the fun to begin.
Out of all the questions I asked people I met the day before about the race I forgot one very important one. So around mile two I ask the women running next to me, "hey, do you know if this course is hilly?" She looked at me like I should have known before I started running, which I probably should have. Turns out the answer was yes but not until the very end did i realize how hilly. Love those hills! Like always I formulated my running strategy based on feel. Eat this here, slow down there, speed up at this point. At the end of the race after the big climb, the finish line was on the Olympic skating tract. Afterwards I immediately went for food. What do you know pizza again. One good thing was that I got a late checkout. So after finding myself I went back to my room, showered and hit the road cause I knew I had a long drive ahead of me.
Before I got into my driving mode I wanted to fill up the tank and get something cold to lower my body temperature. So i pull into a gas station with bikers all around. Not cyclists but the guys on Harley's with all the tattoos. I filled up my tank then went inside and grabbed some frozen yogurt with the works on it. I'm talking about sprinkles, syrup, nuts, you name it and it was probably on it. I walked outside and saw one of the bikers staring at me. Now I would have fought to the death for this yogurt if he was looking to take it. Take anything else just not my frozen yogurt, not after a marathon. But he just looked at me, noticed the shirt I just got and said, "good job." Disaster averted thankfully cause I was ready to defend my yogurt to the death.
On the drive home I again listened to more baseball games while taking in all the scenery. In my opinion the race was surprisingly easy. I credit the easiness, and i use that term loosely, to the fitness I got from doing the ultra marathon the month prior. For my next race I think I'm going to try and P.R. and really give my best effort. All in all the trip was well worth it even if it was short and a last minute sort of thing. Sometimes that is the best way to plan things!
-Barton
"Step outside your comfort zone"
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