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The Umstead Trail Marathon near Raleigh, North Carolina, was a tough course, but one of the most enjoyable marathons I've experienced. (This was only my 6th marathon. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> )<br><br>
The course was hilly with a few miles of single track trails thrown into the mix. It downpoured at the start of the race. It stopped after 10-15 minutes and then it was warm and muggy. I tossed my jacket and enjoyed the great outdoors. A few hours later, the winds really picked up and towards the end, the temps dropped and I felt like I was freezing, especially my fingers.<br><br>
The highlights of the race were the people, volunteers, runners, the beautiful course, and the amenities. I got a lot of cool stuff - girlie techie shirt, polartec fleece blanket, finisher's drinking glass, and a fabulous massage. There were plenty of yummy food along the course and a fantastic Moe's Southwestern Grill meal at the finishing line...yummm!!!!<br><br>
The volunteers were amazing...very encouraging, helpful, and caring. One of the water stations would yell our names as we passed by and the guy at the finishing line announced my name as well. He also announced my age - I don't know why he did that. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> I would love to do this marathon again.<br><br>
I went with my 2 best running buddies IEatHills4Meals and batmomm. This is becoming quite a habit for us as we've also gone to Richmond Marathon, Tar River half, Swinging Bridge 35K, and St. Valentine's Massacre Marathon together. They are the best!<br><br><img alt="" src="http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1012/4434159/9376857/307782736.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
I am a very new Marathon Maniac and this was the first time I got to meet other maniacs. And boy did I hit the jackpot!!!!! I met Daniel who is so very sweet. I also met Larry who has run 420 marathons!!!!! He was so funny and energetic. It was an honor and humbling experience to meet him and hang out with him. I feel like I met a superstar!!!!<br><br><img alt="" src="http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1012/4434159/9376857/307782746.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
IEatHills4Meals and I ran together. I was really nervous about this race because I had heard so much about the hills. IEH4M showed me the ropes and told me what to expect because she runs at Umstead all the time. She is a great running partner. She is so strong and she doesn't give herself enough credit. The only thing that would've made it perfect was if she wasn't in so much pain.<br><br>
Batmomm was truly in her element and she SMOKED it!! And she became a Maniac that day!<br><br>
We finished around 5:30. I am very happy with my time. And I feel a little better about the course. IEH4M and I will be back next month for the Umstead 50-miler.
The course was hilly with a few miles of single track trails thrown into the mix. It downpoured at the start of the race. It stopped after 10-15 minutes and then it was warm and muggy. I tossed my jacket and enjoyed the great outdoors. A few hours later, the winds really picked up and towards the end, the temps dropped and I felt like I was freezing, especially my fingers.<br><br>
The highlights of the race were the people, volunteers, runners, the beautiful course, and the amenities. I got a lot of cool stuff - girlie techie shirt, polartec fleece blanket, finisher's drinking glass, and a fabulous massage. There were plenty of yummy food along the course and a fantastic Moe's Southwestern Grill meal at the finishing line...yummm!!!!<br><br>
The volunteers were amazing...very encouraging, helpful, and caring. One of the water stations would yell our names as we passed by and the guy at the finishing line announced my name as well. He also announced my age - I don't know why he did that. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> I would love to do this marathon again.<br><br>
I went with my 2 best running buddies IEatHills4Meals and batmomm. This is becoming quite a habit for us as we've also gone to Richmond Marathon, Tar River half, Swinging Bridge 35K, and St. Valentine's Massacre Marathon together. They are the best!<br><br><img alt="" src="http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1012/4434159/9376857/307782736.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
I am a very new Marathon Maniac and this was the first time I got to meet other maniacs. And boy did I hit the jackpot!!!!! I met Daniel who is so very sweet. I also met Larry who has run 420 marathons!!!!! He was so funny and energetic. It was an honor and humbling experience to meet him and hang out with him. I feel like I met a superstar!!!!<br><br><img alt="" src="http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL1012/4434159/9376857/307782746.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
IEatHills4Meals and I ran together. I was really nervous about this race because I had heard so much about the hills. IEH4M showed me the ropes and told me what to expect because she runs at Umstead all the time. She is a great running partner. She is so strong and she doesn't give herself enough credit. The only thing that would've made it perfect was if she wasn't in so much pain.<br><br>
Batmomm was truly in her element and she SMOKED it!! And she became a Maniac that day!<br><br>
We finished around 5:30. I am very happy with my time. And I feel a little better about the course. IEH4M and I will be back next month for the Umstead 50-miler.
