Ohio (Columbus) Marathon Beer Selection: Great Lakes
Last year I started my quest to run 50 marathons in 50 states. I thought it would be easy after I got into the grove. The tough part is the planning. Most marathons are held in March - May or Oct - Nov. With recovery time, I can run about one marathon per month. So, travel + recovery + scheduling logistics + life = 4 marathons on a perfect year and most likely 1-2 in most years going forward.
But you didn't think I would ONLY do 50 marathons in 50 states... did you? I'm also adding 50 beers. I'm choosing a symbolic beer to finish each race with no repeats for each of the 50 states.
Earlier this year it poured down rain for most of the 26.2 miles at a trail marathon in Indiana. It was mud... pure mud. Felt like camping. The beer selection??? PBR!!!
Tomorrow I run the Columbus Marathon. This one's special: My home state... my home city... mile marker 20 is about 100 ft from my house... have really put a lot of time into this beer choice.
The air is crisp, pumpkins are out and the leaves are red (pict below from the maple in our front yard).... So, I've chosen to go with the GREAT LAKES BREWERY via the Oktoberfest. Great Lakes is a Cleveland brewery so it also has a perfect Ohio connection and evidently this week is beer week in Cleveland. Finally, Great Lakes brews my all time favorite beer: The Great Lakes Christmas Ale!
Lest you think I'm making a marathon beer selection overly dramatic, I'M NOT. Every beer runner is motivated by beer. This is all you think about from miles 18-26... what it will be like to finish... to crack that cold beer... the REWARD!
