Marathon #13 complete, state #11 (only 39 states to go...)
On Sunday, October 7, I ran the Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA.
With a cap of 3,000 runners, it was mid-sized race, but full-sized fun!
Only about 1900 runners actually finished the race (many dropped out ahead of time, and many didn't show- perhaps the forecast of rain? Come on runners, toughen up!)
We flew into town on Friday, (through Detroit), and stayed at the Hilton, just 3 blocks from the finish.
[our room at the Hilton]
There was a Starbucks in the lobby....Score!
The hotel only offered a late checkout until 1 pm; this didn't affect us since we stayed in town until Monday, but for anyone planning to leave right after the race, it would definitely be tough to shower, etc. by then. They also didn't offer a discount for marathoners. So, I give the Hilton +1 point for location, but -1 point for not accommodating us on race day!
Saturday morning, we grabbed bagels and coffee at a bakery close to our hotel:
After breakfast, we happened to catch the finish line being set up!
The expo was held on Saturday at the Scranton High School (which was a very nice looking high school, with a Friday Night Lights worthy football field.) And apparently, it's a pretty good high school academically as well.
Packet pick-up was slick and easy in the high school gym.
There was plenty of gear for purchase. Most of our group snatched up one of these super soft Brooks tees:
It was a small, simple expo, yet it still had everything you need.
{Calhoun Beach Running Club representing in Scranton!}
***Another "positive" for marathon'ing in Scranton was the high number of Italian restaurants in the city! You will not find it difficult to find a tasty place to carbo-load in Scranton. Based on the recommendations of our fellow marathoners, we had some simple pasta at Sacco's on the night before the race, yet there were plenty of other options as well.
On to RACE DAY!
Since the course was a point-to-point race, we were up early to catch a bus to the start line. The buses started running at 5:30, and we caught one around 6 am. It was a 45 minute ride to the start line in Forest City, PA, but when we arrived, we were greeted by very enthusiastic cheerleaders, and a very organized set up at the high school.
And the best part is that we got to wait inside the warmth of the high school.
The forecast originally called for rain, so we all donned our brimmed hats to keep the rain out of our eyes.
Gear check was located in the gym- so easy! We could wait until the last minute in the warmth of the gym, before heading to the start. There were also plenty of porta-potties outside with very short lines.
After a prayer (first time I have heard that before a race?), the national anthem, and then a cannon blast, we were off!
As for the weather, we really lucked out. With temperatures around 40 degrees at the start, overcast skies, and highs in the low-50's by the finish, it was truly ideal running temperatures. And no rain! I ended up tossing both my hat and my arm warmers.
The rest of the course was charming, running through friendly neighborhoods. There was a beautiful portion that went through wooded trails along the Lackawanna River, "Rails to Trails" as it was called. Most roads were crowded with phenomenal support. The spectators were so enthusiastic and smiley. The water/All-sport stops were every two miles, and there were plenty of "unofficial" support stops as well (some handing out beer!) There was vaseline, Ben-Gay, candy, oranges, and more.
The first 8 miles are mostly downhill, with rolling hills in the middle, and then some killer uphills towards the end (even one at mile 25.2- yuck!). My quads are still quite sore. Holding back on the downhills was challenging. Many times over the first 8 miles, I had to check myself to ensure I wasn't going out too fast. Apparently even splits at Steamtown are negative splits, since it's so hard to hold back. But you really need to, or your legs will never make it on the uphills!
Personally, I smiled the whole time. I felt great- the beauty of the fall foliage and the support of the crowds kept my mind off my sore quads. I knew that I was really close to my Seattle 2010 time, and I kept telling myself to just hold this pace for a Calhoun/Harriet {two lakes in Minneapolis}, and then it was just hold this pace for an easy Calhoun and before I knew it, I was coming up that last hill, and then pushing it through the finish. I barely PR'd, but hey, a PR is a PR, right?
I saw my friend Megg at the finish (she PR'd!) and we went through the food area together, and then grabbed our gear bags. Our legs were crazy sore, but we were both gushing about how great the course was. Post-race food looked pretty impressive- bagels, oranges, bananas, donuts, cookies, and more.
The bright orange finisher's shirts were technical material, and they fit well. The medals were also (apparently) a big improvement from the past, (per a guy at the expo):
I reconnected with the Dusterbuster a few minutes later, and I was excited to hear that he had also PR'd with a time of 3:18. Way to go honey!
This race was probably one of my favorites so far. Of course, the great weather helped, but I think I would have enjoyed it even if it had rained. I rank this marathon up there with the Twin Cities Marathon and St. George Utah, which are two of my favorites.
Our post race celebration was at Kildare's Irish Pub for a beer:
...and then dinner at Cooper's Seafood House, which apparently is a Scranton tourist attraction. It was also right on that awful hill at the end of the marathon, around mile 25. It's shaped like a boat.
To be honest, Cooper's wasn't all that great. None of us were very impressed with the food, and the atmosphere was a little funky.
...i.e. with random Barbie dioramas like the below:
It was still fun to toast with our running pals over a glass or two of wine!
A well-deserved celebration, my friends!
Thanks Scranton, PA for the fun marathon weekend!
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