i'd though about this switch for a couple of weeks, and now it's definite. i'm looking forward to the great train race tomorrow - a point to point roller coaster from new canaan to wilton! and i'm more than a bit relieved at not having to make the drive over to staten island for the half marathon.
actually, the drive to staten island is easy. it's the drive home (from any event on staten island), however, that always seems to turn into a traffic nightmare for me. in fact, the last staten island half i ran (2005?), don, emmy and i got lost - of all places - in BROOKLYN - when we came back over the verrazano bridge! talk about bad luck/karma!
the switch from the staten island half does put a dent in my plan to run a "true" half marathon for the phedippidations world-wide half marathon challenge. but, if i run the great train race course back to my car, that covers more than the half marathon distance (13.6 v. 13.1) so it should work out!
the course follows the train route between new canaan and wilton. from the flyer, "It takes three separate trains and 59 minutes of riding time to get from New Canaan to the Wilton station. Want to challenge the Iron Horse?" and the course itself, regardless of the train connection, is awesome. this is the description from the clubct email reminder: "This course is absolutely breathtaking, both aesthetically and athletically. The climbs are worth the views, especially crossing the reservoir as the foliage reflects off the water. If you can do a bit over 8 min. pace you will beat the train from NC to Wilton."
i last ran this race in 2006, and finished in just under 50 minutes. just behind emmy, actually, who was the first woman finisher that year! if you're within driving distance of new canaan, come and run this excellent course!
here is my great train race report.
here are some great race photos.
8 comments:
Good luck with the Great Train Race, I see that it is not easy: only downhill and uphill.
thanks black knight! it's a great, scenic course. looking forward to doing it again - 'though doubt i'll run it as fast as 2006.
congrats on taking 3rd in your age group. sooo cool that you got two bottles of white wine as part of the prize! now that's an award!!
I just finished the Hartford Marathon and was surprised that there was a marathon/ultra nearby that you and Emmy didn't do! :) Good luck at Great Train tomorrow - I'll be at SI, so we'll have to exchange tales after.
How could you get lost in Brooklyn? Watsamatta wit you?
Frank, I just registered, so I will definitely see you there tomorrow. I was concerned about my shin, but this afternoon I did my first 'real' run since the 24-hr. (7.5 miles at ~8:10 pace), and it held up without too much pain. Looking forward to out-dueling the ol' iron horse...
wow, laura, you are definitely going to rack up some serious mm stars w/all the marathons you've been running lately!! are you running nycm next month?
mike, even more amazing - once don and i were driving to the cherry tree 10 miler and we missed the bqe split at williamsburg bridge and wound up in manhattan!! that was a classic!
rob, even w/8:10 pace you'll beat the train :D more importantly, are you up for the run back to the start? pretty sure don wants to, and i may join him.
Frank, I haven't arranged any transportation, so I am planning to run back to the start after the race. If you & Don are running together, I will join you.
Congrats to DON on finishing and running back to the start with kevin, john, ikuko, pete, sharon and dave.
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