Driving The Hamptons Marathon Course

Well hello.

I’m currently blogging from a hotel bed, where I just ate multiple delicious chocolate muffins for breakfast.

Breakfast in bed?

Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do on Labor Day?

YES.

After banging out a little 20-miler Saturday morning, I boarded the Hamptons Jitney for a weekend getaway.

I’m running the Hamptons Marathon on September 24, and yet I had never been anywhere near the Hamptons.

A long weekend seemed like a fitting time to check this place out. Apparently it’s pretty nice.

Saturday was spent stuffing my face with every food imaginable at a BBQ. I then drank several glasses of wine, debated karaoke but fell asleep instead.

Yesterday I slept in gloriously late. Tons of air conditioning and a hotel bed? I can think of no reason to set an alarm or wake up early. It was amazing.

And then, because Coach Cane said to, I ran five miles.

Um, running five miles the day after you run 20 miles? Not so easy. My legs took a full three miles to loosen up.

But then I felt good.

And now, it’s time to taper.

After the running fun, it was off to scope out the marathon course.

We took a ferry to get there. Shelter Island is cool. And ferry riding is fun.

About the marathon course: I think I’ll be able to manage it.

There are some hills. Some small rollies at the beginning (“rollies” sounds gentler than “big rolling hills” I think) and two or three big hills, including a beast around mile 18. That should be fun.

It’s also not a super fun-looking course. There will be plenty of shade because the course runs mostly through back roads. But I’m a bit disappointed it doesn’t actually run through the awesome East Hampton streets or past massive, scenic houses.

Instead, the course is mostly this:

With a bit of this:

The marathon starts and finishes at a local school, so I got out of the car and let the school know I would see it soon.

The school had no response.

Also necessary: a pit stop for a little walk on the beach.

And then, magically, while driving away from the course, something amazing happened. This came out of nowhere:

My one post-marathon request was a cookie from Levain Bakery. I had no idea there would be a location right near the finish line. Holy perfection. Sign me up. I can’t wait.

Also added to my post-marathon request list: some wine tasting.

Yesterday that Handsome Friend of mine took me to Wolffer Estate for a little wine tasting. Who knew Long Island is filled with awesome vineyards and wineries?

I wanted food, too. Some cheese with my wine, please.

What is it about drinking wine at the vineyard that makes it taste so much better? We ended up buying a few bottles. I plan to drink both of them myself upon finishing the marathon. That should go really well for me.

Today I want to rent a bike and ride around. Someone is currently making calls to try and make that happen. Stay tuned.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful long weekend!