Islands marathon, scheming

Saturday was the GMAA Green Mountain Marathon in South Hero and Grand Isle. Cold, beautiful day for race, with bright orange and red leaves still hanging on to the trees on South Street. I had never volunteered at a race before and it was pretty fun to drive water around to water stops and yell maniacally for the runners on back roads where spectators were few and far between. I was at the finish line with time to kill before the first finishers would arrive, so I went for a jog down to Langdon Road, and followed the race course for a couple of miles. I cheered wildly for the first few runners who came by far ahead of the rest with lots of space between them. And then realized that I better start running back to the finish area before the pack comes through -- it would be right to be 'out for jog' among people who are trying to finish a race. (Not to mention super embarrassing to get passed by people who've already run 25 miles.)

Good fun to see Chad and Thao (hi guys!) who both had spectacular times -- 3:05 and under 4:00:00, respectively. And this was just a training run for them! (Jerks.....) Have great races in Philly, both of you!

I had considered running the Islands race to redeem Montreal. I did 16 miles two weeks after the Montreal marathon and had a good schedule of weekday runs. But I got sick that following week and ended up at Dr. Hobbs office the following Saturday morning. Even the teeny, tiny office of Keeler Bay Family Practice has Saturday hours, AND they have rapid Strep tests. Impressive. Dr. Hobbs was jubilant when he announced I did not have strep and I should go home and wait it out. "If you aren't better in a week, come on back and we'll take a second look. And watch that swollen lymph node." Actually the better answer would have been, "Yes! Strep throat! And here are the antibiotics to make you right in no time flat."

I stayed home, and rested, I drank fluids, and waited. The scheduled day for my last long run (20 miles) came and went, and still I felt crummy. All that pissed off, fiery, "I need one more chance!" determination I had after Montreal disappeared into the pile of Ricola wrappers strewn around the house.

The current plan is too keep in shape this fall, maybe run a 1/2 marathon and begin training for Vermont City Marathon in January. I'm going to hit 2010 in the best start-of-training shape I've ever been in. Boo-ya.