Northeastern Road Trip - Part 2
The purpose of this trip was to get the last seven states I needed of the Lower 48. It was going to be 3 of the 5 states in the Independence Series and then 4 of the 6 in the New England Series.
I was able to stay at the same place in Delaware for the first two races. In Newark by the University.
The second race was also two loops and in a pretty locale but between the gravel path and the hills it was definitely the hardest of the three. It was a definite challenge for my fitness ability. But I got it done and met my goal of staying under an hour by finishing in 56:50. I was a lot more tired after this race.
The third race was in Pennsylvania and once again was on a 2 loop course it was the flattest and nicest of the three and although I felt okay I was pretty tired before starting and not just because it was my 3rd race in 3 days.
Completed States 42, 43 and 44 but circumstances would prevent me from doing 45 - 48 on this trip.
Despite questioning myself before breakfast the one morning I was confident that I would be able to reach my goal of all 7 states. I had already made all of my reservations for the entire trip with the exception of possibly going to my Aunt Isabel’s one night and staying with Bob and Donna O’Connell one night. In both cases there wouldn’t be a race the next day.
I was able to stay at the same place in Delaware for the first two races. In Newark by the University.
The first race went pretty well I jogged very little but tried to fast walk as much as possible. The course was two loops with minor hills and was in a pretty place. All of the races were very humid but because they all had a 6 am start time they didn’t get to warm by the time the 5K was done.
My friend, Aysha drove over from New Jersey to do the race with me and visit for a while. She started late so I was motivated to make sure she didn’t catch me. I finished in 51:50 and was satisfied because it was the best I could do.
The second race was also two loops and in a pretty locale but between the gravel path and the hills it was definitely the hardest of the three. It was a definite challenge for my fitness ability. But I got it done and met my goal of staying under an hour by finishing in 56:50. I was a lot more tired after this race.
The third race was in Pennsylvania and once again was on a 2 loop course it was the flattest and nicest of the three and although I felt okay I was pretty tired before starting and not just because it was my 3rd race in 3 days.
The night before I didn’t sleep much at all because I’m convinced based on the knocking on the door and brief conversation all night long I’d bet money that I roomed next to a drug dealer. When I commented on it to the desk clerk at checkout she didn’t even acknowledge it.
Before even doing the race I was again questioning the wisdom of being on the road another ten days. After the race I knew I didn’t have it in me to go on. I decided that I would cancel all my other reservations and head back to St. Louis. As you’ll see in the next post, it turned out to be the smart thing to do.
I managed a faster time than Maryland mostly because the course was easier. I did 52:46. I managed to win my age group in all three races because most people my age and older chose longer distances like I used to do.
Completed States 42, 43 and 44 but circumstances would prevent me from doing 45 - 48 on this trip.
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