Let the training commence!

May 27th was the start of my intensive training for the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, New York on Sept 30th, 2007. In the morning, I ate my usual Sunday breakfast comprised of two whole eggs and 1/3 cup of oatmeal. I checked the weather: rain was scheduled, but not for a few more hours. Perfect. Iniko and I ran 11km with Steve and Chris following on their MTBs. I would not say it was an enjoyable run...I could not find a comfortable candence until 9km. I could not establish a rhythm. Iniko was a marvelous running companion, and remained at heel despite tantalizing visual distractions beckoning a curious puppy.

It was a good first day. I was pleased with getting out there and enjoying the fresh--albeit humid--air. Later Sunday evening, around 9pm, Shaneel and I rode our MTBs around the Nottingham neighbourhood for an hour with Chris and Steve on their rollarblades. I had not been on my MTB in a long time, and I look forward to cross-training with the bike more this summer.

The Wineglass Marathon will be my second full marathon. The point-to-point Wineglass Marathon course starts at Philips Lighting, just north of Bath, NY. If your adrenaline and an 40 ft. drop over the first mile doesn't get me started on the right foot, then the cheering crowds in downtown Bath will push me through those first few miles.

Miles 2-4 are absolutely flat, and will give each runner a chance to get into a rhythm. At about 4.75 miles there is a 40 ft. uphill that finishes at mile 5. For the next 4 miles, the course passes through the countryside, with two more smaller hills, but an overall elevation drop of 90 ft. until you reach Savona (the first Team Relay exchange zone). Savona is an excellent viewing opportunity as it is conveniently located just off Rt. which parallels much of the marathon course, and offers easy access from start to finish.

Out of Savona, runners continue through the countryside while continuing on a slightly downhill trend 40 ft. over the next 4 miles). The halfway point is in Campbell (home of Polly-O String Cheese), where again the crowds turn out to cheer runners ahead… back into the country again. Runners ascend about 30 ft. just beyond mile 14, before gradually losing 80 ft. in elevation as they reach Coopers Plains (Mile 18.2). Team Relay exchange #2 is in Coopers Plains, so again, the activity and spectator level is high, just as the runners need an additional moral boost.
From Coopers Plains to Painted Post is only a couple miles. There runners enter a park (after the last, brief climb of 25 ft.), and tour a residential neighborhood. They then exit onto a bike path, that takes them through the village of Riverside and into Corning. Once the runners enter the bike path (mile 22.5), it is a flat trek to the finish. In Corning, runners are greeted by many spectators as they proceed through several neighborhoods, before hitting the downtown area.

All runners in the marathon and relay will receive a Wineglass Marathon long sleeve shirt, a commemorative glass finishers medal, PLEASANT VALLEY NYS Brut Champagne with a commemorative silk-screen Wineglass Marathon logo and race date, and a finisher certificate in the mail.