Indiana

EXTREME AUTUMN

I set out at 6:45 a.m. on a near-perfect autumn day, temps in the high 30's, maybe 40ish. The course consists mostly of three out/back segments in the township of Lawrence and Fort Harrison State Park (but not a bit of Indianapolis). The first section goes counterclockwise on Lawton Loop Drive and then heads west on 56th Street. I pass some brilliant autumn foliage before looping around another residential area and returning to the staging area.

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The second section zigs and zags mostly to the east and slightly north out major roads through residential neighborhoods, including a few negligible ups and downs.

Like the first, it includes a small loop at the end, this one making up most of mile eight (and including some of the very few spectators). The lead runner catches me just into m9.

Participants in the half marathon turn south at Post Road; marathoners proceed into the third and longest out/back, starting with a jaunt through Fort Harrison State Park. This west/ southwest section first takes me through lovely scenery of walnut trees, fields, forests.

Most of this final out/back lies on regular roads. Exiting the park we have the south lane to ourselves along Fall Creek Road and then the upscale residential area on Fall Creek Parkway. Maybe a dozen more spectators greet us where the course takes a brief detour during m17. We cover maybe a half-mile on a recreation path, passing under 56th Street and then returning to the Parkway, which we follow to the m19 turnaround. The day has almost reached its highest temps—60ish, tolerable—as I begin the final 7.2 miles.

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I've done well enough that I expect to make my strongest finish in some time. Just before the m25 sign I meet Jeff. He quit smoking last year, started jogging just this past April, and has made adequate albeit rushed progress up to an 18-mile training run, with plans of doing Chicago. He postponed registration and ended up shut out. So he came to Lawrence instead. As he's struggling a bit in this final mile, I decide to stick with him instead. He has enough fuel left for a good kick when we pass m26. I finish with my third best time of twelve marys this year.

In addition to the usual fluids and fruit, the generous post-race feed offers Subway sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, coleslaw, baked beans, cookies, and donuts. Then I enjoy a brief massage and go back to the hotel.

I very much enjoyed the Indianapolis Marathon. I'd have enjoyed seeing Indianapolis.