Snickers Marathon 2020 Albany GA

Marathon number 33 and 18^th state. Every marathon seems like the first with the restless night, the nervousness, the desire for this run to be the best. Maybe that’s good? This marathon was part of my training for Boston next month and I ran 13 miles on Tuesday followed by 8 miles Wednesday then a series of 4 milers cut down Thurs and Fri leading into race day Saturday. I was hoping, knowing that my legs would not be fresh, that I could relax and simply enjoy every experience of race day. It didn’t happen, not until that finish line had been crossed. Little did I know at the time, but this would be my only Spring marathon. Boston would announce it’s postponement only one week later due to the Coronavirus, COVID-19 outbreak.

Let the fun begin

We flew out of Syracuse on Thursday March 5^th. It was a short 2 hour flight into Atlanta where we stayed our first night at an adorable B&B called Sugar Magnolia. It was a perfect location for a runner because only ½ a mile down the road was the old rail system converted into a wonderful walk way. There were eclectic eateries, shops, graffiti and more to look at during my short 4 mile shake out run on the Friday morning. There were also so many runners, cyclists and walkers! The weather was cool at 38 degrees with a breeze and sun poking through few clouds. Ted and I enjoyed a delicious breakfast of fresh berries with cream and a quesadilla prepared by the inn keeper. We were on the road towards the race destination Albany, Georgia by 9:30 am, home of the Snickers Marathon.

Small town with friendly vibes

Uncrowded with natural beauty and history. Dining is casual for the most part. Our home for two nights was the Merry Acres Inn. Paper thin walls but clean and convenient. After checking in, we stopped at a roadside spot for lunch and unfortunately took seats in the smoking section which we did not realize at the time. Not sure where our heads were because the smell of beer and stale smoke was tell-tale. Still, we sat it out and ate our lunch. Salmon salad with a side of wild rice.

With not much else to do in Albany, we drove the marathon route since packet pick up was a one day only affair beginning at 3pm to 9pm. The roads I would run the next day offered turn after turn after turn with only one 2 to 3 mile or so straight away on a main road I believe was called Gillionville. All those tangents would add to the 26.2 mile course and my final mileage clocked at 26.53. After the drive, we went to the expo at the Civic Center. It was very small and easy to get right in, pick up my bib and get right out. Albany was such a quiet town with nothing going on. We didn’t see any shops, no interesting lounges/sports bars so we did a short walk then made our way back to the Merry Acre Inn.

Pre race dinner was at one of the more gourmet establishments in the area called, Henry Campbell’s Steak House. I enjoyed white fish over wild rice and vegetables. Now it was time for a fitful night, up every 2 hours and all that. The alarm finally went off at 4:15 am so I got up and ate ¾ of a bagel with a dab of Science in Sports Recovery chocolate. Didn’t have peanut butter and we couldn’t find bananas the previous day so I settle for the SIS “Recovery” Chocolate gel with chia, bananas, etc in it. I’m not a Nutella eater but I would say it was that consistency and actually not bad spread on a bagel. I ran a short shake out run to test my clothing choice. It was only ¾ mile. I was supposed to run 1 mile but based on all the winding of the course, I knew I wouldn’t run a 26.2 as trying to navigate the tangents was not my forte. As it turned out, my marathon was a 26.53 run. Anyway, good to do that test run because I ended up changing my sports bra and shirt. Sports bra because I need one that would secure the Koala clip for my phone. The shirt because of the temperature and I wanted to use arm warmers.

Pre and During Race Fuel:
Friday night: @5:30pm, ½ recommended OSMO. @7:30, another ½ serving of OSMO.

Saturday / Race Day (race start 7 am): Alarm at 4:15. Got up and ate ¾ bagel w/ SIS chocolate gel. 5 am ate most of Clif bar. At 5:15 drank 5 hour energy.

The course begins at the Civic Center, a very convenient large area for the start. More than enough parking, easy in and out. Plenty of porto-potties and an easy walk into the corral from the wait area. We didn’t see any security. In fact, Ted stood keeping me warm until the horn blew to signal the start of the race when I jumped in to start the race.

CIVIC CENTER – tons of parking and easily accessible for expo and the race start

What I wore for 40 degrees, 10 mph wind with sunshine: Hoka Clifton shoes. Long green Injinji socks. Capri with pockets and carried 2 gels. They offered GU gels on the course at 8, 12, 18, and 23 miles. Wore blue mile shirt from Marine Corp with arm warmers. Light throw away gloves. Nike sports bra which worked better with my Koala Clip for my phone. Zip up and throw away shirt torn at the wrists for easy removal over my watch. Visor and head band to cover the ears.

I’m on the far left -pony tail at high alert

Tossed white zip around 3 mile point. Tossed gloves around 15 mile point. The weather warmed to about 55 by the time I crossed the finish. Apart from being breezy in spots, it was actually perfect for a run.

Race began at 7 am. I jumped in with Stefan, the 3:50 pacer and stayed with the small group to about 19 1/2 when I gradually watched them drift away as I grew tired and gave in to walking through water stops. I believe I would not have given in to my legs if I knew that Boston would be postponed. However, I did run 13 miles on the Tuesday prior to this race and 8 miles on the Wednesday so there was no taper for me going into this Snickers Marathon. I needed to reassure myself this was just a long training run.

Me running in with two half marathoners on my left. The half and the full take off together at 7 am but split within the first couple of miles.

I took HUMA gels at 5.8 mile, and 12 mile. Took GU gels at 18 mile and 23 mile. Walked through water stops beginning at 20.

Take Aways From The Albany Snickers Marathon

Great weather. Very winding course. Expect to run through college campuses, along a straight and boring main road which is early in the course, turn into residential sections and up a few very minor “humps”. If you opt to run close to a pace group for conversation purposes, this might entertain you enough to get through the boring stretch.

Results: Age group win. Award was a nice zip, long sleeve black top with front pockets.

Following the race there was an enjoyable music festival we were looking forward to right in the middle of town. First stop, “Mi Casa” for a BIG ASS Margarita.

Perfect weather for an outdoor festival. We watched a couple of entertaining bands and just enjoyed the warm sunshine for two hours before heading off to dinner at an EXCELLENT restaurant called “The Catch”. Seafood at it’s best.