The Detroit Free Press Marathon was my first marathon ever. It was my goal to complete a marathon before I graduated; and, since I was graduating college the December of 2016, the Free Press marathon was at the perfect time. I began really training after Memorial Day, before that I would only run 6 miles a week. 3 weeks before the marathon though, I sprained my ankle hiking in Colorado. Thankfully, I was able to run the day of the marathon and finished in 5 hours (my goal after having sprained my ankle). As it turned out, my friend I was visiting in Colorado's mom is the CEO of BOCO (the supplier of the race hats). She hooked me up with some custom "in-training" hats for me with my last name on them. I loved both the beanie and the runner's cap.

I rated the Aid Stations, Expo, and Parking low as threes because I did not use them. I ran though the expo to grab my packet as fast as possible and get back to class. My mom booked us a hotel so I wouldn't have to drive to Detroit in the morning. I also only stopped at an Aid Station at mile 16 for pain meds since I had enough fuel and water on me.

Running across the Canadian boarder was the best part of the race! You are asked to keep your passport, passport Card, Nexus Card, or enhanced driver's license on you during the race in case the agents have to pull anyone suspect off the course. In Windsor, I was handed a couple of free Timbits for fuel, and the Canadian's honestly cheered loader than the Americans. The tunnel back over the boarder was rough though - all up hill and little oxygen. If you are claustrophobic this may not be the run for you.