Post by dale on Apr 6, 2006 11:38:02 GMT -5
Last Sunday I marked a personal milestone by completing my first 26.2 at the 39th annual Athens, OH Marathon. This is a very small race, very homey, and that is the main reason I chose it as my first mary. After running the Arizona 1/2 with 22,000 of my closest friends earlier this year, I can't say which style race I enjoy more as they both have their stengths and weaknesses.
The lack of gel packs along the course was a drag. I pop 2 of these an hour for long runs so I had to carry my own. The aid stations were 3 miles or less apart and the volunteers were great to a person supplying gator aid, water and fresh fruit.
The race is an out and back that takes place along a paved bike path. Not many spectators so if you need the adulation of a crowd this may not be the race for you. One of the things I enjoy best about long distance running is the solitude so I consider the lack of a thronging mass a plus.
I truly enjoyed the first race (0-20 miles) and was well challenged by the "second" race (the last 6.2) but completed it, which was my goal. I recomend Athens highly as a town and as a race and hope everyone interested gets a chance to run it at least once.
Peace!
The lack of gel packs along the course was a drag. I pop 2 of these an hour for long runs so I had to carry my own. The aid stations were 3 miles or less apart and the volunteers were great to a person supplying gator aid, water and fresh fruit.
The race is an out and back that takes place along a paved bike path. Not many spectators so if you need the adulation of a crowd this may not be the race for you. One of the things I enjoy best about long distance running is the solitude so I consider the lack of a thronging mass a plus.
I truly enjoyed the first race (0-20 miles) and was well challenged by the "second" race (the last 6.2) but completed it, which was my goal. I recomend Athens highly as a town and as a race and hope everyone interested gets a chance to run it at least once.
Peace!
