The Loop the Lake Marathon

The, Loop The Lake Marathon, course is very different from the Empire State Marathon. The last time when I ran Empire, we started by the baseball stadium, went through Onondaga Park, ran along a road with a turn-around, went back through Onondaga Park past the amphitheater with another turn-around, over the bridge back though Onondaga Park and finished by the baseball stadium. The Empire course was a lot less hilly than the new course of Loop The Lake Marathon, and I missed water stations being every two-miles with sport-teams and clubs dressed in Halloween costumes. In Loop The Lake, we started in the Great New York State Fairgrounds, and were only chip-timed at the start and finish line as far as I could see. After running past the gate of the fairgrounds, we went up, over a bridge, through a parking lot around the half-marathon start/finish line. The half-marathon runners started fifteen minutes post the marathon squad. The layered starts were lucky for us in the full, because they put us in a mood to go the distance by cheering everybody on so loud, proud, and lively. Down a hill descending from the half-marathon start/finish, we started running through Onondaga Park, on the new side with the fabulous bridge. Onondaga Lake, looked very tranquil and lustrous from the sun’s beams glisten. I just love the new trails along Onondaga Lake, it is an incredibly attractive view to run through. Upon exiting Onondaga Park, we were running by the Destiny USA Mall, overlooking Lord&Taylor along the train-tracks. In the park, they have already set up all of the lights for Lights on The Lake, I adore those Christmas lights so much it made me happy happy happy whilst running. The longest part of the race for me, was definitely running to Baldwinsville and back to Onondaga Park. My parents missed the ten mile mark by ten minutes, as my race bib was not time chipped other than the start/finish. Designated spectators predicted estimated times for certain runners to arrive to certain places on the course, and posted them online live throughout the event. So, my parents waited at the ten mile mark to see me later in the event, until I was about twenty or so miles into the course. Going over the bridge and to the amphitheater side of Onondaga Park was a party with lots of volunteers cheering us runners on, which was so nice. Instead of having gels during the marathon, I ate a maple candy every five miles. The race expo did not have vendors selling gels, and I could not find them locally, so I bought tiny bears of honey as well as maple candy leaves for my sports-bra from Oliver’s Produce, and only used the maple candy for my entire race. One summer, I trained with sponge candy instead of gels for 20-22ish miles, but I never imagined running 26.2 with only maple candy! Runners need sugar. I wore my Nike Pegasus 38’s, which were exceedingly cushiony. The race ended soon after reaching the amphitheater, and once again passing by the half-marathon start/finish line. Over the bridge leading back to the Great New York State Fair entry really livened up my spirit with cheering and loud music. The Great New York State Fair entrance to the finish line was exhilarating, there were so many cheering in the crowd, the announcer was very excited and cheering, and I finished my 26.2 miles with a smile on my face! It is really special to be doing something that I love again, enjoying myself with my people, fundraising for charity, running for god, and having my family waiting for me with flowers at the finish made me very very happy.

Hopefully, this is the beginning of training that will lead to a fast half-marathon and full-marathon in the winter/spring!

My official race pics, taken by professional photographers really tell the tale of my 26.2 mile event. Those photographers made me feel like a model. How fun?!

My parents pictures are almost like the angles shot by the professional photographers!

He was a really cool race announcer!

I wore these bows in my hair for my 26.2 miles. The names of some of our family’s loved ones whom are in heaven. I embroidered the names by hand, and tied the bows like bow ties. I thought the satin looked really nice. Papa, Grandma Elly and Grampa Gordy, Sue, Sandy, Ashley…

The after marathon party was so much fun! I really enjoyed drinking my post 26.2 mile run Bud Light whilst listening to the fabulous live band while watching the lovely and fun dancing!

I went to work the next day with a flower in my hair, wearing my medal. I think I will wear my medal all week!