At this point, the long road has been good, the slight downhill giving no real surprises. Even past 20, things still stay more of the same. The downhill has leveled out now that the road hugs the river, so there wasn't a lot of downhill left to go anyway.What can start to happen is that the time spent racing can wear down the legs fast. Whether it has been a 2, 3, or 4 hour run at this point, the body still feels the mileage it has put down. Weather can be crucial at this point because if it's sunny, temperatures will climb into the 60s and even touch 70. An under-hydrated body feels this warmth badly as the sweat from the exposed part of the skin has long since dried or evaporated.
On the left, the iron bridge comes into view right before the mile 22 marker. Those experienced with the course know that as a marker for the rolling hills coming next. Yes, they're small in comparison to the earlier ones, but at 22 miles, every small incline feels like a mountain to climb. Mile 23 is usually where the energy is knocked out of the legs and it becomes more of a mental game to keep any sort of consistency for the next 4 miles.
The last water stop during mile 25 is a big relief even if the small hills are still persistent. After this point, houses start to pop up with regularity. More village-related signs pop up and speed limits start going down. The slight left turn in the road flanked by tall pines yields the final straightaway, about 25 1/2 miles into the course. So close, and yet so far away...this stretch always feels like an eternity because of the viewable finish line area. Nonetheless the straight route is a blessing as it prepares you to burn everything you have into the final bit of the course. The lumber shop marks the 26 mile, 385 yard epic that the body carried itself on.
That lawn chair on the left? Yeah, they're pretty damn comfortable.
