Athens Marathon 2013 Race Recap

      I've done this race before (the half in 2007 and the full in 2008) and have a love/hate relationship with it. I love that I know most of the volunteers, spectators, and a fair amount of the other racers.  OU/Athens has a pretty tight-knit community and it's reflected in the race day atmosphere of the Athens Marathon.  I also love the much more laid back feel of it and the fact that my fellow runners are generally much friendlier than many of those in my experience with city races.  I've also always really enjoyed the finish: a lap and a half around OU's track with a bunch of spectators cheering you on.  However, I hate that the race is almost entirely on the bike path: flat (in case you don't know, I really prefer hill running) and boring, with repetitive scenery and very few spectators for most of the way.  And it's an out-and-back.  Overall, though, it's a great, well-organized race with wonderful people.

       I figured this race would be perfect timing this year in preparation for my ultra on May 11 (though a trail marathon would have been better preparation).  It was also wonderful getting to sleep in my own bed, only having to walk right up the road from my apartment to the start line (no traffic or parking hassles), and not having to find the money for putting gas in my car or someplace to stay. 
       There couldn't have been much better weather!  It was a cool temperature, but felt good once I started moving.  The sun was shining bright all day.  I actually managed to not even get much of a sunburn even though I totally forgot sunscreen: I'm terrible at remembering that.  
       I kept a slow, easy pace since this was preparation for another race rather than being my goal race.  Unfortunately, I also had some hip pain and a really tight IT band.  A physical therapist in the message area said it was a little swollen and I'll have to be careful over the next couple weeks and do extra icing and stretching over the next couple days.

       Overall, the Athens Marathon was a pretty good experience: perfect weather, beautiful (even if repetitive) scenery, and some great people to talk to during the course.

       Yay for finishing marathon #7!  :-)