Hartford 2007

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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I drove down from Jackson, about 4 1/2 hours, to run the Harford Marathon. Despite the clouds and rain on the way down the foliage in northern New Hampshire was spectacular. This is along the Kancamaugus Highway near Lincoln.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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This is along highway 118 (I think) west of Woodstock, NH.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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My room at the Goodwin Hotel in downtown Hartford, across the street from the Expo and just a few blocks from the start, turned out to be a 3 room suite. This is the living room.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Here's the bedroom. Very comfortable.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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The bathroom was furnished with pink marble and flowery wallpaper. Next time I'll bring Susan and stay a little longer.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Race morning was clear, sunny and cool. I waited as long as I could before leaving my sweats at the bag drop then stood in the sunshine to keep warm. Here's the porta-potty line.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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The marathon, half and 5K all began at the same time so there were about 6000 people lined up at the start, including about 2000 marathoners. All races started and finished in Bushnell Park, right near the ornate capitol building. Bushnell Park, established in 1861, was the first publicly-financed municipal park in the country.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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My plan was to start with the 3:35 pace leader but I couldn't even get close to him. I started out somewhere behind 3:45, passed the 3:40 pace leader around mile 5 and caught the 3:35 leader a mile later. Catching the 3:30 guy took me another 15 miles.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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At around two miles we headed over the Connecticut River to East Hartford.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Looking back at downtown Hartford.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Running through residential neighborhoods around mile 5

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Near mile 7, half way out the 15-mile out-and-back section of the course in East Hartford. Nice houses, occasional fields and woods, a pumpkin stand and lots of friendly spectators.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Mansions have sprouted in fields where corn and potatoes once grew.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Relay exchange around mile 15. This was the start of my fastest 3-mile split of the whole race. Concentrating on running, I didn't take any photos for the next 10 miles.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Running along the Connecticut River at mile 25.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Running through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch with the finish line just ahead in Bushnell Park.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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I had to stop for a photo so in the future I could recall what it was like to see the clock not yet at 3:30 at the end of a marathon. Probably added 5 seconds to my PR time.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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The woman on the left gave me my medal. I definitely felt like I deserved it for this race.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Looking back over the finish line at the arch

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Great finish area. After I picked up my gear bag I went through the food tent (Spanish rice and beans, Orzo rice with spinach and pine nuts, Cous-cous with cranberries, various other goodies supplied by Whole Foods) and ate lunch with Dean Hutchinson #288 from Westchester, NY.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Dean Hutchinson, Maniac #278

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Brian Pendleton, Maniac #286 after his second PR in a week.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Heading north on I-93 back towards Jackson I had been looking forward to seeing the fall colors in the late afternoon sun but around Plymouth I began to run into clouds. The birds in the sky are turkey vultures heading south.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Approaching Lincoln the foliage began to get colorful just as the weather began to get bad.

Photos from the Hartford Marathon, Oct 13, 2007

At Hartford I set out to prove to myself that my time at Maine six days earlier wasn't a fluke. I ran a nearly perfect pace, fueled well, finished strong and paused for just a few photos along the way. The result was 3:26:53, 24 seconds faster than Maine and another PR. Rather than run Bay State the next day I drove back up to Jackson to see my folks again before flying back to Seattle.

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Even at dusk here on the Bear Notch Road the colors were impressive.