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<\/a><\/p>\nApril 2nd would prove to be the beginning of another cold snap, with colder temperatures and snow looming in that night\u2019s forecast and now confirmed future past. But our morning run saw a brisk, lovely daybreak. The race began in the Canal Commons, a sort of central converted railway nature trail nestled in downtown. We gathered in the center of a central park field for last minute instructions and a live National Anthem. There were two races happening simulatenously. A metric marathon that would see runners doing 26.2 KM and a full marathon. Both events would use the same course \u2013 we\u2019d run one way down the nature trail for about 3 miles, turn around and come back the way we came and then head up the nature trail\u2019s hill. Metric runners would turn around at mile 11 and full marathons would keep clam and carry on up the pass for another 5 miles before turning around and getting to run back down the incline back to the start\/finish line.<\/p>\n
I had been worried about the trail given emails about gaiters being optional yet recommended, a few frantic updates on the muddiness of the course, etc. But all that worry was for nothing and my decision to wear crappy mud soaked trail shoes was unnecessary. The nature trail was 90% crushed gravel and 10% paved asphalt. Thanks to the relatively dry conditions and sunlight, mud was never an issue. Ultimately my feeling on the course was that it was a lovely place to run.<\/p>\n And run I did. I wasn\u2019t so worried about my clock time or pace, outside of needing to be done before 12:30 PM to make sure I had 6 hours to drive to Chapel Hill to meet up with Harper and Allison for dinner. And so I just ran. I was aware of time and distance and would check my Garmin throughout the race but mostly I just ignored the few mile markers that hadn\u2019t been blown over due to the previous night\u2019s strong gusty winds. I\u2019ve often said the sound of footsteps on crushed gravel is one of the more soothing sounds in the world so to experience that for 90% of 26.2 miles, to be out in the world in a commingling of nature and humankind\u2019s railway paths, was entirely pleasant. It was a mostly cloudy day with just enough blue sky and sun peeking through to stave off any seasonal affective disorder. Conditions also were Goldilocks-ian for running long distances \u2013 not too cold, not too hot; not too windy, not too humid. Just right.<\/p>\n The long 10 mile incline up the trail path wasn\u2019t at a high incline but it was a slog nonetheless. It was a gradual rise but it just didn\u2019t end. But when confronted with the beauty of nature and the feeling of privilege to be out and about, the best way I can describe it is a feeling of contentment. I started consistently running as a stress relief from a high pressure job and life. I\u2019ve carried on running as a recreational activity that provides an excuse to continue to eat, drink, and travel to excess. I\u2019m lucky and I know it \u2013 to have that freedom both from time and injury is a fortunate thing indeed. And thus was a race wherein that feeling, that force, seemed especially strong.<\/p>\n “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.” Part of the trail run involved running through a train tunnel and though I thought the tracks were abandoned, that would later prove a false assumption. I loved this sign and the feel of running through the darkness with a literal light at the end of the tunnel ever visible and ever closer as I ran.<\/p>\n As time and miles went by, I found myself hitting the 16 mile turnaround. I had counted runners coming back and found myself in 4th place\u2026 with the 3rd place guy just ahead of me. What the heck, right? I chased him down the mountain and soon found me overtaking him. Somewhere in the late teens, early 20 miles, I passed a steam locomotive and a number of trainspotting fans. The conductor tooted his whistle and released the steam from the engine, blowing into my path \u2013 running through it was like something out of a Western movie.<\/p>\n Quick note: Faster than a stationary locomotive!<\/em><\/p>\n Somewhere in the early 20s, I heard rapid footfalls on crunching gravel behind me. A bike lead a guy speeding down the hill. I told him he was tearing up the course and he said he had been until he got screwed. The guy on the bike told me they had missed the turnaround and run an extra 2 miles up before realizing it. So not only was this guy superfast, he was superfast having run a longer distance than a marathon already.<\/p>\n But he was also being a bit of a jerk, I thought. This would later come back to haunt me in Carrboro (ohhhh\u2026 foreshadowing!). I thought he was unfairly blaming the race for missing the turnaround. I found out later the volunteer who was supposed to be at the turnaround had twisted her ankle walking up the path to get there from lower parking lot and had been late setting up the spot\u2026 but even knowing that I thought the guy was running with a Garmin and had to know the turnaround was roughly at mile 16. Even allotting for poor GPS reception and the notorious mileage drift of such watches, I couldn\u2019t fathom why it took him 2 miles past that point to determine he had missed the U-turn.<\/p>\n I was therefore back in 4th place overall and carried on running down the hill toward the finish. Winding our way back through the small downtown to the Canal Commons, the wind was picking up \u2013 the cold front was going to be moving in earlier than forecast but I would be long gone before the snow. I crossed the finish line in just over 3 hours and 34 minutes and celebrated a sparsely spectator-y course but a naturally wonderful experience. A few quick finisher pics and a Dunkin Donuts hummus wrap later and I ambled to my car for the long drive to North Carolina.<\/p>\n Thinking back on the race and the experience, again, the best way I can describe it is a feeling of contentment. It was the very model of a Saturday run through nature and emblematic of my preference for a \u201ctrail run.\u201d It wasn\u2019t very technical (i.e. it was a path carved through nature and therefore not a lot of large rocks, tree roots, etc that could trip one up). It was safe and adequately water-stopped. Volunteers were friendly and helpful. Despite the lead guy overshooting the turnaround, there wasn\u2019t much chance of getting lost. All in all, a very positive experience in this western wedge of Maryland.<\/p>\n I should note that because of idiotic nutritional planning and overindulgence in all things pizza (both as entree and dessert), this race was barely a calorie eraser. \u00a0That is I think at best I burned just enough calories to cover my excessive Pizza Hut dinner. \u00a0Albeit I suspect I still am more Jabba the Hutt than I’d like. \u00a0I tell myself that the approximately 3200 calories burned by a marathon covers the missteps of food on Friday night. \u00a0It is perhaps as delusional as anything ever uttered by the maddest of mad. \u00a0And my indulgences would only continue in Chapel Hill, NC. \u00a0But how could I resist the chance to overdo it when given the chance to see so many great people on such a short time? \u00a0Packing it in has many definitions when on a 2000 mile road trip.<\/p>\n Let me leave this with my favorite sign along the Queen City Marathon course, located at the top of the hill near the turnaround.\u00a0 It’s a sign that applies to many a situation this weekend:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u2015Obi-Wan Kenobi<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n