New Jersey

I set out at 7:50. Preoccupied with personal concerns, I miss the first turn and go a couple of hundred yards before I realize it and get back on course. Moderate wind, not uncomfortable. Other than two major bridges and three shorter toll bridges, the course is quite flat.

The few spectators offer enthusiastic encouragement. Memorable sections include scenic wildlife preserves in m3–5, the boardwalk from about m8–11, and some architecture along the way. Otherwise, the course covers mostly paved and gravel residential roads. Most houses forgo a real lawn in favor of no-maintenance white rocks.

My pace suffers as I have to adjust my sock thickness four times and affix a Compeed at about m18, but I sustain no blisters. Through m20 I feel very good, virtually no soreness throughout. But even on this physically comfortable day I struggle to motivate myself. A brief massage afterwards bouys my spirits somewhat.

Hajime Nishi from Japan. I met him at the last two races also (Minnesota and Kansas). During this calendar year he'll become the first person to complete 200 marathons in 50 countries spanning all seven continents. He's self-published his own Ecomarthon book of race ratings, unique not only in his mathematical charting of the variables, but also in that he weighs environmental responsibility as significantly as course difficulty, safety, and various perks.

Chuck's 50 & DC Marathons Starting Line

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