The start was freaking cold. It was on a plateau I have no idea how high up and the winds were around 30mph. Temps had to have been around 40. The course went north along the plateau for about 3 miles then looped around back by the start and we started the downhill part. Once we were off the plateau the winds weren't an issue.

The goal was to finish, preferably average around a 9:30 pace. Dud kept running faster than that on flats and some uphills. I'd yell at him, he'd slow down and then do it again. Yeesh.

I had to hit the portta-potty at one point but there weren't any to be found and we were running through a business district. No trees. Kept running. Nothing. Finally I ran to a gas station, asked if they had a bathroom. Guy hands me the key says "around the side". I go around the side and it says "out of order". There are two locks. Both locked. Key only fits one. My bladder then announced "TIME'S UP!". Fortunately I was standing next to a big ice machine and was mostly obscured from the road. The cop looking at me just shook her head and looked away.

Had another potty stop later but I was able to use a porta potty. Which is good because it was an rstocks3 stop.

Dud and I both wore our orange tech tops with the penguin on the back from the 2008 Freezeroo series. People dubbed us "The Orange Team". I found this out while running a sub 7 pace to catch up to Dud after my potty stop and heard comments like "there goes the other half of Team Orange".

Everything felt great right through mile 20. Dud held up great, we were moving right along and we're thinking sub-4 was possible. That's when the rollers started. The course is basically downhill for the middle third, but the last 10 has some serious rollers with some tough grades to get up.

The saying "a marathon is a 20 mile warmup followed by a 10k" definitely applies on this course.

Weather was perfect for a marathon. About 50º F low winds, overcast skies. We got very lucky there.

Nothing. Well, maybe bring something to hit Dudley with when he starts to run faster than the goal pace.

Got my mylar blanket, stretched, ate a little. I always do best with fruit after a long event. Grapes, bananas etc. The gummi bears were good too. Gotta remember that. I was craving a Coke as usual after a long race.

Then it was in the car for the 4 hour ride home. We stopped at a diner after an hour and I ate huge. Had 3 big glasses of Pepsi, a burger, fries and cherry pie. Stopped to stretch and switch off driving a couple times.


Low key and very well run. The course is beautiful, lots of positive volunteers at the aid stations, the community support in Stroudsburg is wonderful.