ING Hartford Marathon Review

I set a new PR for myself finishing in approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes. I am just having trouble getting my official times.


The expo: I got there too late to enjoy the expo but it was fairly large and there was plenty there to buy as well as booths that had activities to participate in. The t shirts were pretty standard. They are tech material. Made quite nicely. Your chip is in your number as with most races now.

The starting line: It is self-seeded. This scared me at first but there were no issues. Everybody lined up in an appropriate place. There were more than enough port-a-potties for the participants. Some closer to the start, others in Bushnell Park which was very close to the start.

The course: HOLLY HILLS. I was not as prepared as I should have been for the hills. It is a very hilly run but what seems like a molehill at mile 2 is definitely a mountain when you get back to it at mile 24. The course was beautiful but contained a super long out and back. I was not a fan of that. It was motivating at first to see some of the elite’s running back but then it got discouraging. It almost made me feel like I was doing a horrible job when in fact I was running the strongest marathon of my life. There was great crowd support throughout the entire run though. People all set up on their lawns offering high 5's, water, and licks from their pups. It was a very fun atmosphere.

The finish line: At first I thought, "wow, I guess 26.2 miles just isn't enough they want us to walk more now" but then I realized something....I was not nearly knocked over by anybody, I was not stuck in an unmoving crowd, I was able to do what I needed to do. They have it very spread out. When you cross you get your "blanket", then they had water fountains set up (they prided themselves on being a very "green" marathon), and then further down you got your medal, a reusable water bottle, and great reusable bag of goodies. Banana, bagel, pretzels, Luna bars, etc.

Overall, it was great, close to home, and if I didn't have so many more on my bucket list, I'd do it again

Re: ING Hartford Marathon Review

4 hours 24 minutes 21 seconds

17 minutes and 33 seconds better than ever before.

Message edited 10/14/2012 8:57:27 PM.

Re: ING Hartford Marathon Revie

Congratulations! You did great! I don't remember the hills(except at mile 4 ish in the park). It is a long out and back, but I liked that especially when you get to the turn around and you realize how many people are behind you!

Great job on the PR! If you liked Hartford, you may really like Mohawk- Hudson. What's the next on your list?

ING Hartford Marathon Review

WOW!!! Congrats!!! That is a great improvement in time!!

Re: ING Hartford Marathon Review

I have the following marathons on my to do list, lol:

NYC
Disney Princess
Chicago
Boston
San Francisco
Hamptons

and I am sure I'll find a few more.

I'd like to do Marine Corp again. That one is so beautiful.

ING Hartford Marathon Review

That is amazing!!!! Congratulations!!!!

Re: ING Hartford Marathon Review

congrats! awesome time!

Re: ING Hartford Marathon Review

I ran Hartford this past weekend as my 1st marathon. It was great and I of course set a PR. Looking forward to running it again next year for the 20th anniversary and registering for Boston in 2014!

ING Hartford Marathon Review

Thank you all. I wish I knew I had a partner in LIF crime user22 :) Would have been nice to meet up. How did you finish?

Re: ING Hartford Marathon Review

Congrats!!!

ING Hartford Marathon Review

Thank you.

Re: ING Hartford Marathon Review

lilqtny- If you do it next year we should definitely try to meet up. I finished 3:28:32. I was really happy with that as my goal time was 3:30. It was one of my best experiences ever, and I cant wait till next year. Although I am planning out different races to run. Even though its a half, I think the DC Nike Womens Half in April looks like it will be a lot of fun.
In my opinion, one of the best things about Hartford was that it wasnt a super crowded race. Even though I ran with a pace group, I still felt like i had room to settle into a comfortable pace on my own. I separated from them for a while, and then when it got harder towards the later miles they definitely helped me to push hard and maintain the pace I was aiming for. The Pace Leader was very encouraging and enthusuastic, getting the spectators to cheer and stuff. It was One of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. Since this was my first, going into it I was like either I will hate marathons and never do one again, or i will love it and be hooked. And I'm definitely hooked!

And congrats to you on a great race yourself!
Just wondering- where do you usually train- I'm in western nassau and train on the streets and in the gym. I also train with the We Are Athletes Racing Team. IF you want feel free to come down to the Farmingdale H.S Track every tuesday at 7:00 PM. Its a great group of people and a great speed workout!

Re: ING Hartford Marathon Review

Thanks user22~~~

I am in Suffolk but I go anywhere to train. That would be great. Your training group is at every race I go to.

And I agree with everythign you said about Hartford. I would love to get an even better time there next year.

Re: ING Hartford Marathon Review

I loved that the HM split off pretty early.

User22 I love the We Are Athletes! They are the nicest people! I have done a few workouts and always so welcoming.