3:19:16 - a new PR!
The weather was ideal, and the extra hour of tossing & turning last night didn't hurt either. During the first mile, a band played "One, Two, Three O'Clock, Four O'Clock Rock" which permanently embedded itself on loop play in my brain. The only hills to speak of were the verrrry steep bridge at mile 3 into Canada and the tunnel to get back into America. The Canadians were quite supportive and could be heard to cheer us on with, "Good pace, eh!" and "Keep it going, eh!" Then at mile 7 we returned to the States via underwater bridge, the only international underwater mile in a marathon. Little did I know that the underwater mile was timed. Mine was 6:55 which was apparently good enough to allow me to re-enter my home country. The tunnel also provided a nice break from the wind. Although it was sunny, the wind was non-stop. One of my later miles was 7:35 but I must admit that was the only time we were traveling with the wind at our backs. Everything else seemed like the gusts were from the side or straight against us. I'm no wind expert but others were heard to say that the gusts reached up to 25 miles per hour. The scenery was either really dull (factories) or really spectacular (running alongside the river inside a park with amazing fall colors in the trees). It was a particularly great race for a sports fan since we ran past the Joe Louis hockey arena, the Comerica baseball park, and finished on the 50 yard line of the Ford Field football stadium which was fortunately a dome stadium and warm and indoors and wind-free. Spectators filled the seats and finishers were shown on a giant indoor television monitor, which is as close as I've ever gotten to having an NFL career!
Results: http://www.detroitfreepressmarathon.com/results.htm
Starting into the sunrise.
The fall colors were amazing!
General Motors world headquarters in the background.
Approaching the finish inside Ford Field on the 50 yard line!
Mom and I are both thrilled at the finish!
Mom and the medal!
A few days after the marathon, we took a trip to Niagra Falls!
Mom and I are amazed!
The Niagra Conservatory was colorful and beautiful.
Walking with Mom.
A highlight of the trip was the Detroit Red Wings game on November 1st.
But before the game, we had to gear up with official Red Wings souvenirs at HockeyTown!
Having lived in Detroit, Lorenzo is a true "Wing Nut!"
Red Wings jersey and foam finger, mandatory items for every true fan!
Great seats!
An exciting game winning goal in the third period!
This statue is called "The Spirit of Detroit" and I'm showing my spirit!
Lorenzo and Angela near GM headquarters.
Running along the river two days after the race.
Outside the Joe Louis Arena, just a half mile from our hotel.
The Ambassador Bridge to Canada, which was mile 3 of the race and the steepest part.
A statue of Joe Louis' fist.
Getting a "high five" from Joe.
Angela tries to keep warm near the cold hard fist.
Lorenzo learns to pick on someone his own size...
Had a great lunch with my 2nd cousin Sherry in Ann Arbor.
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