September 6th, 2014 
Cheryl 
Showing off my finisher’s medal at the finish line in front of Plymouth Rock
Today Chuck and I ‘killed two birds with one stone’ so-to-speak by seeing Plymouth, Massachusetts (home of the infamous Plymouth Rock) while participating in the Run to the Rock Half Marathon. It seemed like a perfect fit for several reasons: We were in the vicinity, we wanted to see Plymouth Rock, I needed to do a long run in training for my Marine Corps Marathon for Team Running Strong on October 26th, and my training plan suggested a half-marathon this weekend as a practice run for my upcoming full marathon.
We got up VERY early this morning and made the drive from our campsite at Hanscom AFB in Bedford, Massachusetts in about an hour. The race started at 9am. It was an exceptionally hot and humid day for the area at this time of year (temps in the low 80s, humidity also in the 80s). I wasn’t worried, as living in Florida on and off for the past 20+ years has made me used to such conditions. However, we’ve been on the road for a few months now, and in the northeast for most of those months.
A runner recovering from the heat, humidity, and hills.
I found during the race that I’m not used to heat and humidity anymore, and have become spoiled by all the cool and dry weather we’ve enjoyed this summer, for a change! Still, having past experience with Florida-like running weather did come in handy, as I knew how to deal with it and didn’t really have any problems other than a bit slower mile splits than I have been running recently in training.
Unfortunately, others in the race weren’t as prepared, and I saw at least two runners go down and require medical attention. Chuck said he saw a few at the finish line in need of help as well, one nearly passing out as he crossed the line!
It’s a rock. And it’s small.
All-in-all, this was a good day and a great run, if a bit HILLY! I came in with a respectable time, and got some valuable practice for the real deal coming up soon in October! Chuck and I both got to see a bit of Plymouth and its famous rock.
“The rock” was a bit disappointing – much smaller than we expected and not in the greatest of locations aesthetically speaking – but we definitely recommend seeing it if you’re in the area.
Me & Chuck and The Mayflower II
Plymouth Rock is one of those Roadside America things you just have to do, and the area is full of history worth checking out. For instance, Plimouth Plantation, a 17th century living history museum showcasing life for the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians, is just a few miles away from downtown Plymouth. You can also step aboard a replica of the Mayflower II, which is docked in the harbor within sight of Plymouth Rock. The Plymouth Hall Museum is also downtown and directly across the street from Plymouth Rock. For more info on what to see and do in Plymouth, check HERE.
And if you’re in New England in September, give the half marathon (or 5K) a try. Surely it will be cooler next year. 
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I’m running the Marine Corps Marathon on October 26th for Team Running Strong – the ONLY charity running to raise money for American Indian Youth! We are turning MILES into MIRACLES! Will you help me? You can donate by CLICKING HERE. Thanks!
Rainy Days and Birthdays Don’t Always Get Us Down
Today was Cheryl’s Birthday. The big 5-O (or 5-OMG as she likes to joke)
She plans on marking this milestone next week on October 26th by running 26.2 miles in the Marine Corps Marathon for Team Running Strong for Indian Youth which is also commemorating Running Strong spokesperson, Billy Mill’s 50th! anniversary of his winning Gold in the 10,000 meters at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. If you haven’t already read why Cheryl’s running again, please check out her Team Running Strong page.
Storm clouds approaching
But for today, due to some very rainy, windy, stormy weather, we had a much less physical kind of celebration of Cheryl’s birthday by going out to a restaurant and a movie (Gone Girl – which we both really enjoyed and highly recommend!) and letting Cheryl shop till she dropped. Not really, but she did get a chance to browse without any nagging from her dear husband.
Chuck hamming it up
The day wasn’t a complete wash weather-wise, however. By late afternoon the skies started to clear and a beautiful rainbow appeared. It had to be the brightest and biggest rainbow we’ve seen in a long time.
Cheryl at the end of the rainbow
All of the colors of the rainbow were clearly distinguishable, and a second rainbow also appeared above the first. We had a hard time photographing the entire sight, and weren’t in the best location for photography when it appeared (darn power lines and traffic lights!), but we still jumped out of the truck and took time to enjoy nature’s show.
Cheryl said it was a really great way to top off a birthday, like the best kind of icing on a cake.
We ended the day with some coffee and huge cupcakes at a nice little establishment in Hanover, PA called The Broken Cookie. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we plan to go back into Gettysburg for some more sightseeing.
Thank goodness for the panorama app on Chuck’s smartphone! We managed to get a stitched together view of the entire rainbow after all:
Double Rainbow in Hanover PA