Two years ago, Grandma's Marathon was my first ever attempt at 26.2. This year, it was my first marathon that I went back to for a second attempt. You're always told to not have expectations for your first marathon, but I did, and the race didn't go well. This year, I probably should have had lower expectations as this would be my sixth race in seven weeks; including coming off of Relay Iowa last weekend.

I rolled into Duluth mid-afternoon and headed straight for the expo to get my bib. This is one of the bigger expos I've been to, and definitely the most crowded. Despite the crowds, picking up our race bib is a very streamlined and easy process. I spent some time walking around the expo, but got out of there fairly quickly. It's worth noting that there are some other things to do at the Duluth Convention Center other than just pick up your bib and shop the expo. There is a pasta feed available for runners (and only $12); I've never had the pasta there, but I've always heard good things. There is also a help station if you have questions about any logistics the morning of the race. The expo also brings in guest speakers (this year Kara Goucher was one!) and there is a bus tour of the course if you're so inclined.

It's worth talking about lodging in Duluth as well. Hotels and AirBnBs fill up VERY quickly, and aren't cheap for the weekend. Fortunately, an excellent option is staying in the dorms at UMD (UW-Superior and St. Scholastica are also options). It's an affordable option, and the UMD dorms are right next to where the shuttle leaves for the Marathon and Half Marathon start. Definitely very convenient! Those same shuttles run to and from Duluth (the finish line) until 1:30am on Sunday.

At the start of the marathon you'll find lots of people, and lots of port-o-pods. Definitely not a bad idea to get in line before you think you need to, so try to time that right! The race tries to get runners into the start corral by 7:15 (a half hour before the start) but that's not necessary. If you need to get up front, there are a couple sectioned off areas on the side where you can hustle up front. So don't stress about that! Plus if you aren't exactly where you need to be, the race is chip timed so it doesn't quite matter where you start. So don't stress about the start area!

This year it was fairly cool at the start, with a minimal breeze, but for those of us who looked at the hourly forecast, we knew the temps would turn up quick. We did get a solid 6 or 7 miles in before the sun peeked out from behind the clouds.

The first few miles of Grandma's just fly by. They're predominantly downhill, which can really trap you into getting out a little quick. Stick to your race plan, and don't worry about others passing you, or getting sucked into that pace (I need to take my own advice). It's also been my experience that the pace groups here get out at a pace decently below the pace needed for a certain time. So be aware of that if you're planning on going with a group.

I thought crowd support was extremely good this year in comparison with 2015. Lots of people out on the course, especially in the smaller towns we ran through. It's here where I'll also mention the top notch aid stations at this race. They're very long and easy to navigate. Most of them went water, powerade, then water again. Later in the race they had sponges and ice available as well. Med tents show up every 4 miles (or so) starting at 13.

The course rolls along nicely past Lake Superior, with some beautiful views of the lake when you veer closer to the water. You can also see the bridge in Duluth from about Mile 10, so that's a little discouraging. You start to get into the Duluth area around Mile 19 and it's here where the crowd support turns up, and you get aid stations every mile. And apparently Mile 21 is a rough mile (for me at least in my splits) I don't know why, but look out for that mile.

Mile 22 takes you up the most well known part of this course: Lemon Drop Hill. And really, it's not much of a hill at all. If you're ok with the other rolling hills on the course, this hill is no problem. Plus, it's basically a 4 mile downhill finish from there with excellent crowd support. Coming through Duluth really is an awesome part of this race, even if you're dying at that point. The crowd support is great from the Duluth community, family members of the runners, and a lot of the Half Marathoners come back out to watch the marathon finish. The last two miles hand you a lot of turns, so be ready to not know exactly how much you have left to run. You'll go past the Convention Center, and make a series of turns before the home stretch on Canal Street.

The post race is easy to navigate as well! You get your medal, some water, and then your hard earned finishers shirt. The gear check was great this year too! They had my bag ready because they grabbed it when they saw me walking up. Very efficient! There's also chocolate milk, ice cream, and your hard earned beer at the finish as well. If you have family or friends at the race, there's an easy meeting area just outside the finishers corral to meet up.

I've got absolutely no complaints about this race, except for the fact that I can't seem to run this course well. You always hear how great of an event Grandma's Marathon is; and it lives up to all of it's positive hype. If you haven't gotten a chance to get up to run this one, make sure you take the time to do so.