March 17, 2013
4:41:37
This was the second part of my "Atlantic Coast Double." After a tough trail race yesterday, I had my doubts going into this one.
The race was in Cary, North Carolina, which is a town right next to Durham. I made it in time for packet pick up. The expo was small and efficient. The race director was walking around talking to runners and answering questions. A very nice touch. The Embassy Suites was the host hotel, and they had a pasta buffet the night before the race. It didn't cost much more than most pre-race pasta dinners I've had, and it was very good.
Transportation was kind of a pain. The start and finish was at the USA baseball complex, 10 miles from the host hotel, which is strange. Parking at the baseball fields was limited, and you had to pre-register for a parking pass, a detail that I neglected. If you didn't have a parking pass, you were forced to drive 6 miles or so to an off site parking area, where busses would drop you off at the start. Runners were encouraged to get there at 5AM for a 7 AM start. This seemed excessive, but with memories of my near miss in Arizona last year still pretty fresh in my mind, I was there by 5:15. We made it to the start a full hour before the start of the race and I did my best to keep warm and occupied.
The race started promptly at 7. There were a few rolling hills the first 2.5 miles. From there, the course turned on to the American Tobacco Trail. We spent the next 20 miles on this trail. For Lincoln runners, think of the Mopac trail from 84th St heading east. The trail was soft, flat, and straight. Although it was pretty boring, my quads needed a break after the hills yesterday. Aid stations were frequent and well stocked. There were lots of porta-potties, too.
I ran the fist half in 2:16 and the last half in 2:25. Considering the race I ran yesterday, I was pretty happy. The post race party at the finish seemed like it was going to be fun, but I had to catch the shuttle back to the parking lot, get in my car, drive to the hotel, shower, change and go to the airport.
This was my 8th marathon since Labor Day. I don't race again until July. I am looking forward to taking a couple of weeks off!
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