Vacation Wrap-up: The running edition

We camp in the town of Hague, which is right next to the town of Fort Ticonderoga. Fort Ticonderoga being famous for the pencils, and of course, the fort. It is rich with history and breathtaking scenery.

I love running on the mountain roads. One of the first things that you come to when you leave the campsite is a cemetery. When we were children my sister and I used to hold our breath as we drove past the cemetery, believing that we would add extra minutes to our lives. Our parents encouraged this fun little practice simply because the few moments of silence added extra minutes to their sanity. Apparently we were loud and silly.

The sight of Old Glory waving gently in the warm breeze over a memorial to fallen soldiers reminds me once again of what a privilege it is to live in a free country.

This view is the reason that I ran 8 miles a day. I simply could not get enough of the vast blue sky, the voluminous clouds and the immense rolling hills. This landscape far exceeds the suburban streets that I call home.

Another thing that caught my eye were the barns. I love this red one, the way the color pops against the lush green of the mountain that stands guard over it.

And this lovely old repository. I was so tempted to enter the barn and snoop around inside. How amazing would it be to tear that wood down and make a dining table out of it? My mind was absorbed with all of the possibilities.

This amazing stone church is perched atop the cemetery. Not only is it lovely outside, but inside is loaded with character and offers a cool respite from the heat. I did not take pictures of the interior because it seemed disrespectful to me.

The view from the top. I would arrive at my destination and look back at where I had just come from and feel a tremendous sense of satisfaction. I loved the way it felt as I ran back down the mountain. The way the mountains surround you, protecting you from harm, and sheltering you within their majesty. It is like feeling God hug you.


I long for next August when we will return so I can do it all again.

The defunct marathon

Poor Camille, she is waiting for a new marathon post. The truth about why I have been dragging my feet is I was waiting to see of I got into the NYC marathon again this year, I was going to dovetail the details together. Alas, I did not. I had asked my old high school boyfriend if he could gt me into the marathon because he has connections. This guy and I, we dated for almost a year. He was, I thought, The One.

Then.

He went off to college, I stayed home for college, and he met someone else. Class act that he was, he called me, on the telephone, to break up with me. I was utterly destroyed for months by what he did.

And.

AND!

He would not even send me my things. Things of mine that I had given to him that I wanted back. My dad, a Jersey City police officer, drove up to his college to retrieve them.

**Sidebar** I adore my dad, he is my knight in shining armor. My dad is the reason that I married such a good man, I had a great example of a real husband and father.

So my dad drove up to the college, and my putz of an ex-boyfriend would not even come down to face him. He sent down a mutual friend of ours, who attended the same college, with my things.

Why I am friends with this person on Facebook is still a mystery to me. I myself am a putz. I figured the least he could do was get me into the marathon. He did not, and he did not even tell me that he did not. I had to send him a message to ask him. GAH!

The NYC marathon is not happening this year. I am open to other marathons. I am also open to running a marathon with someone else. Are you running any marathons?

Today my husband is taking me to Ikea. You know what that means, dontcha? Meatballs! Yummy! Also we are going to look at their kitchens. Our kitchen has...issues. But that is another post for another day. Tune in for it. You will be amazed to see where our dishwasher resides.


P.S. You should read Camille's blog. She lives on a farm and she home schools her children and she runs and she is absolutely gorgeous.

Marathon Day, part 1

If you are just tuning in, you can read the beginning of the marathon story here.

Kevin and I had been in the city the Saturday before the marathon to attend the expo. The expo takes place over three days before the actual marathon. At the expo you pick up your race chip, race number and various and sundry other items. Vendors come from all over and we were able to amass quite the assemblage of free carp. Some of the items that we annexed were runner gels, electrolyte replacing drink crystals to mix with water, pencils, stickers, gel inserts, magazines, and shoelaces. Also in attendance were doctors, chiropractors, and running experts. There were also places to purchase official marathon gear. There were drawings and giveaways, and activities. If you love free stuff, this is the place to be. It was oodles of fun.


Anyone can attend the expo, but attendees have to show their official race registration card to obtain their chip and number. We had taken the bus into the city for the expo and I was a nervous wreck thinking that I would lose the card. I think that I was annoying and control freakish concerning the ticket, but I will have to ask my husband to double check. I am sure he will say that I was100% delightful.

While in attendance at the expo they ask that you fill out the medical information form on the back of your race number following pickup. They say that this will help ensure that you receive the proper assistance on race day, should the need arise. Translation? If you die or don't make it to the finish line they want to know who to contact to come and remove your body from the road in Brooklyn.

You thought I was exaggerating, didn't you? (Click to enlarge)

After we were finished at the expo we decided to go and grab a late lunch. I love eating in the city. It makes me feel so metropolitan, and cool.

After we finished eating, we headed back to the bus at Port Authority. I could not help but think about the race. For months it was an event that I was going to participate in, something far off. A thing of mystery. Now it was here. In less than 24 hours it would all be put to the test. I was nervous.

My training. Did I log enough miles? Should I have completed another long run? Did I taper too soon? Should I have done more sprints?

My preparation. Did I do enough carbohydrate loading the past week? Did I hydrate adequately this week? Were my sneakers broken in enough? Where was my race chip?

All of those thoughts were swirling in my mind like a tornado and I was afraid that I would not be able to sleep that night.


Tune in next week to see if I slept, and for the day of the marathon. You don't want to miss the story about the world's longest urinal.