Newport Marathon: Providence, Rhode Island, May 7, 2023 – Marathon #15
The journey to Providence, Rhode Island started off with a little hiccup. I almost missed my flight from Baltimore to Rhode Island because I was working and didn’t hear the boarding call. I was literally the last person to board the plane—something that has never happened to me before! Fortunately, everything went smoothly once I arrived in Rhode Island. I got downtown, grabbed my race bib and swag, and had some time to kill before I could check into my Airbnb, so I decided to explore a few malls in the area.
This time around, I decided to try an Airbnb instead of a hotel. I stayed at The Rustic Red Studio B in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and I couldn’t have been more pleased. A big thanks to Shane for having everything set up perfectly!
Saturday Adventure in Newport
On Saturday morning, I woke up early and decided to drive to Newport, Rhode Island. I’m so glad I took the time to do that. I chose the scenic route, and the small towns I passed through were absolutely beautiful. It was a very relaxing drive, and I really needed that peaceful, calming experience to center myself before the marathon.
Newport did not disappoint. I drove through downtown, cruised along the scenic route through the state parks, and even stopped to watch a few minutes of a rugby match. Then, I took a gorgeous drive down Ocean Avenue, where I paused to take in the beauty of the ocean waves crashing against the rocks, the wind blowing, and the bright blue skies. It was one of those moments where I felt deeply connected to my mom—she would have loved driving through these small towns, reminiscing about the good old days while listening to music.
After my drive along Ocean Avenue, I decided to visit Goat Island (although, disappointingly, there were no goats!). Then, I went back downtown to Newport, where I indulged in some shopping and grabbed a delicious lunch at Lucia, an authentic Italian restaurant. Of course, I carb-loaded for the marathon!
While walking through the shops, I stumbled upon The Cookie Jar, a delightful little spot. The cookies were incredible—thanks to the lovely ladies there! I also walked past a booth offering sailing tours, and on a whim, I decided to buy a ticket for the next tour at 4:00 p.m. I’d never been on a sailboat before, and everyone in Rhode Island was raving about how perfect the day was for sailing. Big thanks to Captain Matt and the crew at Sightsailing in Aquidneck for such a great experience. It was a perfect way to wrap up my day.
On my way back toward my Airbnb, I found Davenport’s in Cumberland, Rhode Island, and stopped in for dinner. Zach, the server, took great care of me, and the food was fantastic.
Race Day in Providence
Sunday morning came quickly, and I was up early, mentally preparing to tackle the marathon. The weather was perfect at 6:00 a.m., and I was feeling good. The marathon started at 7:30 a.m., and it wasn’t long before I realized it was going to be a warm one.
Now, every marathon I attend claims to be the “flattest, fastest course.” I’ve started to think this might be some kind of joke because we started and finished with a hill. Yep, you read that right—a hill. Lol.
I didn’t pace myself well and paid for it later in the race. I was on a 3:50 pace up until about mile 5, which was too fast. The heat took its toll, and I ended up walking more than usual, especially during the later miles. Despite the struggles, I finished with a time of 5:24:51. I did meet some fellow Marathon Maniacs and 50 State Club members along the way, which was a highlight. Special thanks to Sherry Betts for warming up with me before the race—it was great to officially meet you! I also met Mike Porto, the Rhode Island Runner, who has completed 94 marathons and 33 ultras all across the country. What an inspiration!
As I wrap up this race weekend, I’m looking ahead to Brookings, South Dakota next week for marathon #17. Until then, let’s keep running!