Gettysburg!

Today I went for a run on a long run road trip to Gettysburg! With the uncertainty of racing still lingering as we sign up for races, we hope for the best, train and then are left devastated when they cancel only a few weeks prior to the race. Delaware was the same story and for my running friend who had just completed a 20 miler – really huge let down. So as I searched for other races happening the same weekend the Gettysburg North-South Marathon popped up on my search. I had just ran the race in October after it had been pushed back from the previous spring. This time it was a solid “YES” race happening the planned weekend in April. Friday night, I told my friend who wanted to commit to the marathon, but was unsurw about the reviews, specifically the elevation. Does it have hills, yes. Are they terrible, not totally. So what next?

Road trip!!!

With a shortened distance on his schedule for the weekend I suggested I would take them on the course for one loop to try it out. Our roadtrip long run was born. Sunday we got up early and hit the road for Gettysburg. We parked at the start line, geared up despite the frost on the ground and took off on the North-South marathon course. No joke the 28 degree start was cold – especially in the shade. However, once we made our way onto the battlefield we hit the open fields and melted in the sun. The course loops through the quiet battlefield, onto a main drag and loops through a few farms. We made our way up and down the rolling hills, talked about random tv shows and eventually were on our last trek back through the battlefield. The temperature had climbed during the run ending up in the mid 40s. As we got back to the car we finished our run before 10:30am.

We jumped in the car and made our way back to Maryland arriving before noon. Solid Sunday morning long run executed perfectly! The next day both friends committed to the run. Who knew marathon shopping was a thing, but in this case it was a perfect solution to a still uncertain racing calendar. And I have to say, a trip to Gettysburg to run is something I have to keep in mind the next time I need a change of scenery!