So I learned from my brief journey to Erie, Pa that I am not so handy with the roads of my neighboring state. However, neither were the folks at the hotel who gave us wrong, half ass directions to the course. Nothing like slowly (and the speedily) driving through the streets of Erie while occasionally stopping at local establishments to get some help with my bearings at 5:30 in the a.m.
All I have to say is that thank goodness Brian has a lot of patience and was able to guide me to the start of the race with the help of a borrowed map at McDonalds. Running a marathon is tough enough but throw in having waste precious time to calm down my spazish self and you have one antsy situation. I have no idea where he gets his calmness from or directional skills, but I need some of those traits!
When we all finally made it to the course, with just moments to spare, I soon found out at around mile 3 that this was going to be a hot one. My sweat band had already reached its capacity. Figuring a 1/2 PR like I had hoped was not in the cards, I proceeded to chat with runners around me and yell "Go Browns" to every a-hole sporting Stealers (not a typo, I call them that because they always steal Cleveland's hopes) garb. My actions did not make the heat situation any better but it did pass the time in a mildly entertaining way.
I finished in 1.49.01/ 8.19 per mile pace. When I think that in 2005 I ran a 3:36:56 it makes me more than a little sad but after considering the heat and my under prep work I am content. I think it would be a great flat and fast course if the weather was... Per say.... 40 degrees cooler. Oh well, to wish and to hope! I have no idea how Brian and the rest of the marathoners got it done that day. Just thinking about doubling the distance inspires me to perspire even more.
