Preface｜Going to the distant hinterland of New England
In mid-June, we just went north to Chicago and saw a BLACKPINK concert.
My ears have not yet recovered from “A-P-T, A-P-T, A-P-T”, so we set off again at the end of June.
This time, heading east, towards the mountains and forests of New England,
The destination is Vermont: going for a run is called
"The most beautiful marathon in the world" is the Mad Marathon.
This is also my 27th state on Run50.
From bluegrass to green mountains, there are so many colors in these American states!
Before departure, I chatted with the Manager:
“I’m driving to Vermont this weekend for a marathon.”
He was stunned for a moment: “Driving? That’s crazy!”
I smiled: "Yeah... sixteen hours, but Tesla self-driving will help."
The administrator heard from the side and said that she did not dare to use automatic driving at all.
I can also understand that artificial intelligence is far from fully evolved.
But someone has to love being the guinea pig. We have indeed felt the improvement in the quality of life.
But...you really have to be cautious...So, just like that, with the blessing of autonomous driving,
Even a long 16-hour drive no longer seems so scary.
State 27 · Vermont | The State of Green Mountains and Maple Sugar
Vermont is located in the northeastern United States and is one of the six New England states.
"Vermont" comes from the French *les monts verts,* meaning "green mountains."
Therefore, it is also called The Green Mountain State.
This is a small, mountainous state, with three-quarters of its land covered by forest. It is green in summer and red in autumn. Every country road is like leading to an oil painting.
American politician Bernie Sanders was born here, and it is a representative state of free thought and environmental protection concepts.
Mad River Valley is located in the center of the state and is the venue for this marathon.
The river flows through farms, barns and pastures, with cows on the roadside becoming the most constant spectators.
Vermonters are particularly proud of their land. There are few McDonald’s and no Walmart, but it’s dotted with artisanal farms, maple syrup workshops and local breweries.
They believe that "Small is beautiful" and would rather be slower and purer than live naturally.
Vermont is also the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States, and is also famous throughout the United States for cheddar cheese, honey and cider. Vermont has no big cities. The largest city, Burlington, has only 50,000 to 60,000 people.
Here, the mountains are not high, but they are green and clean; the wind is not strong, but it is just cool. As the locals say:
> “In Vermont, we don’t hurry. We live where the world slows down.”
>
Chapter 1｜Day and night on the road through five states
After a busy Friday, Siqi and I set out in the evening to officially embark on the long journey to Vermont.
All the way from Kentucky to the northeast, the cities outside the car window passed by one by one.
The first stop was Cincinnati, a city like an island of steel surrounded by forest.
The sky was dim, traffic flowed across the overpass, and the golden buildings in the distance shone with the afterglow.
As night fell, we passed through Columbus,
The lights on the highway lit up little by little, and at the end of the highway were neon lights and signs in the direction of Cleveland.
That night we stopped in the outskirts of Cleveland for a quick night to recuperate for the next 900 kilometers.
Early the next morning, we hit the road again facing the rising sun.
At that moment, the sun rose over the horizon, and the entire I-80 was surrounded by orange morning fog.
The world was so quiet that only the sound of wind and the scraping of tires remained.
When we stopped at the charging station, we had breakfast. Siqi's portion is extra generous: sandwich, salad, and fries.
At noon, we had fast food at another charging station.
Charging, eating, traveling, and seeing the scenery are all compact and rhythmic.
While traveling through New York State, the weather suddenly changed and it began to rain heavily.
Tesla's autopilot performance is pretty good, but just to be on the safe side, I switched back to manual.
The wipers were swaying, the windows were blurred, and the greenery ahead was swaying in the rain. Siqi fell asleep in the passenger seat and fell asleep soundly.
Just before entering Vermont, we stopped in a small town to recharge.
There is a retro restaurant on the roadside, with a red horse-drawn carriage model parked at the door.
There were several wax cowboys sitting in the car, and the words "The Bank of Guns" were written on the car.
At first glance, you can tell it is some kind of American Western themed decoration.
Further down the road are the valleys and lakes of New England.
There are people fishing, boating, and floating on swimming rings on the big lake.
I found that whether in China or the United States,
Fishing has the magic of slowing down time.
As we entered Vermont, the scenery suddenly softened.
The road becomes narrower, the trees become denser, and there are cyclists walking on the gravel road in the forest from time to time.
The sun shines on the ground through the gaps in the leaves. At that moment, the boundary between man and nature almost disappears.
From the Kentucky hills in the south to the Green Mountains of Vermont in the north,
On this trip, we crossed five states: Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Vermont.
I saw all the lights in the city, the road in the rain, and the early morning in the countryside.
Chapter 2｜Arrived at the Mad River Valley·Night in the mountain town
Entering Vermont, we finally arrived at the venue of the “Mad Marathon”:
The town of Waitsfield.
Located in the center of the Mad River Valley, surrounded by the Green Mountains, it is a quiet and rural town.
You can see typical Vermont barns along the road.
Red walls, silver roofs, and continuous grassland and cornfields next to it. These barns have become almost a visual symbol of Vermont.
Looking from a distance, it looks like the "ideal countryside" in fairy tale illustrations.
We drove all the way, trying to get to the location to pick up the equipment before afternoon.
But in the end, I still missed the bag pick-up window for that day.
Fortunately, after many twists and turns, we learned that we could pick up the equipment on site early the next morning.
At that moment, we finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then we went to the supermarket to replenish our supplies and bought some fruits, bread and snacks.
Then we followed the mountain road to the Airbnb we booked on the top of the mountain.
It was a row of small wooden houses standing on the grass on the hillside.
The hostess and her family came back later, but left us the door and charging instructions.
Sure enough, as soon as I opened the door, I heard the mountain breeze and the chirping of insects.
The door is covered with stickers:
Skiing, mountain climbing, cycling, NASA, Patagonia...
At first glance, this is a home for outdoor enthusiasts. At that moment, we seemed to have found the same kind of people.
As night falls, the light bulbs in front of the cabin light up one by one.
We sat on the terrace and opened the instant noodles and salad we brought,
While eating, I watched the sporadic fireworks in the valley in the distance.
The tension before running slowly dissipated at this moment, leaving only the summer night wind and the tranquility of the valley.
Chapter 3｜The early morning of the game day when the wrong entry and right exit were made
At dawn, I placed the drone at the door of the B&B.
The grassy slopes were covered with dew and the air was cool, making it the most suitable weather for running.
We set off to the starting point, but the navigation took us to yesterday’s church.
It takes a few minutes to turn around and reach the starting point, right at Mad River Green.
There is a gas station on one side and a cemetery on the other, a typical American small town scenery.
Picking up the equipment went smoothly, even though there was only one volunteer.
It really deserves to be called the Crazy River Valley Marathon. The race route is a typical valley loop.
Starting from the town center, first run south along the river valley to Warren Village.
Then cross several undulating farm roads and loop back to East Warren Road and Brook Road to the north.
There are ups and downs along the way, and the slope is not fatal, but it can make you doubt your life.
The official map also thoughtfully marks the supply station:
Water, Gatorade, bananas, and tents set up by a few enthusiastic villagers.
There are quite a lot of people in the starting area. The full marathon runners stood in the front row, and the half marathon runners were in the back.
Everyone looked at each other's equipment, adjusted their watches, and stretched, but the atmosphere was not tense at all.
This is less like a big city marathon and more like a neighborhood sports meet.
There were quite a lot of people at the starting point, with the full marathon in front and the half marathon behind.
I moved from the full marathon area to the half marathon runners, planning to set off with Siqi.
Chapter 4｜Running into the embrace of green mountains
It’s finally time to start!
We walked around the town for a while, passing gas stations and coffee shops, and then turned into the valley.
After a while, I saw the old bridge with a wooden top. It is said that this "log house-style" bridge is to prevent the wood from being corroded by rain and snow.
It is very common in the old villages of New England and can be regarded as a landmark check-in point.
After crossing the bridge, there is endless green ahead. The road surface changed from asphalt to gravel, surrounded by forests,
Occasionally there is the hum of farm machinery,
This scene is simply like "Country Love Vermont Chapter".
This time I brought the Insta360 X5. The 360° picture captures all the mountain scenery, grassland, and bridges.
This left a special perspective for this trip to Vermont.
I'm wearing the classic Arsenal shirt from Robin van Persie's era.
Black and blue color matching, the Premier League armband is still there, the treasure I have acquired for many years finally has a chance to play today.
After running about 3 miles, we saw another wooden bridge, the Pine Brook Bridge, built in 1870.
The stream gurgled under the bridge, the air smelled of pine, and the clouds in the sky were low, as if it was going to rain in the next second.
Before the turnaround point at 5 miles, the cornfield on the roadside was lush and green, and each stalk was as tall as half a person.
When the wind blows, the whole field seems to be cheering for us.
Suddenly, I felt a pain in my stomach. There was no choice but to temporarily "technically pause" and queue up.
However, this race is mainly about health preservation, and the marathon is also about health preservation. I think I really ran crazy.
After going to the toilet and passing the red-roofed barn, Siqi ran towards me. We took a picture and continued running.
There is another wooden bridge in front, and the river flows quietly under the feet.
The scenery is really healing, the green is endless, and the wind blows coolly.
The runners on the road also have their own characteristics: some wear wedding dresses, some wear Van Gogh's "Starry Night",
There are also locals driving tractors on the roadside raising dust.
When I came to my senses, the road sign ahead already read: "Mile 10".
Ten miles, running deep into the valley and into the Vermont paintings.
Chapter 5｜Vermont’s green fields and mountain breeze
After 10 miles, the track enters the most beautiful section.
To the left is a large pasture, with cows grazing leisurely, and a row of lavender flowers blooming on the roadside.
The runner in front simply picked one and stuck it in his hat, like running into a postcard. There are also more supply points.
Volunteers were busy behind the desk, passing out water and Gatorade.
There is also an old woman wearing a straw hat sitting at the door waving her hands: "Good job, runners!"
At that moment I really wanted to sit down and have a cup of tea. The wind is a bit cool, but American runners are very "flying".
Many people were not wearing any shirts, and their muscular lines were shining in the mountain wind. I walked between farms and green fields,
Even the Mini Cooper parked on the roadside is green, as if the whole world is matching the color.
Suddenly, a tattooed female runner rushed past me, her red-purple hair blowing in the wind.
Like a flamingo breaking into the forest. Before I could react, she had already turned into a small red dot.
After running for a while, I arrived at the small aid station at 20 miles, and there were actually watermelons! That sip of juice that is so sweet to your heart,
More effective than energy gel, more impressive than drinking water. The mountains in the distance began to be illuminated by the sun, and the air was a little hot, but my steps became lighter.
I ran through the rural roads in Green Mountain State (Vermont) little by little, amidst sweat and wind.
Chapter 6｜The end of the red barn and the flag
At mile 23, the most famous landmark of the Mad River Valley Marathon appeared in front of us:
The red barn (Skinner Barn). It was built at the end of the 19th century,
The roof is a typical New England mansard shape, with three gray-white silos connected behind it.
For hundreds of years, it has been standing quietly by the valley, witnessing the change of seasons and the passing of every runner.
Now it has become the symbol of the Mad River Valley Marathon, printed on medals, T-shirts, and banners.
It seems to be telling everyone: the speed here is not important; what is important is whether you took a look at the green.
I slowed down and took out my phone to take a few pictures. Since I got an action camera,
I rarely take out my phone during competitions, but when faced with this painting, my hand almost lifted up on its own.
Running further, you will reach the 24-mile road mark, and the black asphalt road turns into a gravel path again.
There's a bit of an earthy smell in the air. Running across the old wooden-top bridge means we are almost at the end.
The small town reappeared on the street, with cafes, post offices, gas stations, and the cemetery I remembered.
It sounds a bit strange, but this feeling of "returning from the countryside to the world" is very ritualistic.
The grass before the finish line was filled with national flags. The wind makes them hunt. The moment I saw the Chinese flag, my heart suddenly warmed up.
In this small competition with less than a thousand people, Siqi and I may be the only ones representing China. 🇨🇳
That subtle sense of pride is more real than achievements. When I crossed the line, I raised my hands and finished the race in less than five hours.
This track has many undulations and slopes, so finishing it is already a victory.
The medal features a red house and a rooster, symbolizing the Vermont farm spirit:
The first cry before dawn awakens the vitality of the valley.
The phrase "Mad River Green Crops" on the back is a tribute to the agricultural tradition of the Mad River River.
Siqi also finished the race successfully, and we took a group photo on the finishing grass. It started to rain lightly in the sky, and the air was moist and smelled of grass.
There were people sitting on the floor, eating burgers, and taking selfies with their medals. Everything is quiet and vivid, like the last touch of a rural oil painting.
We walked back to where we parked our car and walked through the grassy park, which was so green.
This summer marathon in the Mad River Valley is like a slow-paced tribute to nature, people, and life.
Postscript｜Burgers, French fries and starting again in Vermont
After the marathon, we met for dinner with Cindy and Jim’s son Andy Whitaker and daughter-in-law Lindsay Whitaker.
They live in Vermont and have moved around a lot over the years because of work.
We made an appointment at a very *chill* outdoor restaurant: there were burgers, fries, lemonade, standard American taste.
We arrived first, and after a while, their family drove over.
There is also a kid with red hair and orange Crocs, who is so cute.
I was originally worried that the first meeting would be a bit awkward.
It turned out to be completely overthinking. Andy is chubby and has a silly smile, but he didn’t expect that he was a Boston Marathon runner back then!
Lindsay was particularly enthusiastic, being a local backcountry camping guide, and told how she went to cheer Andy on.
They said they really liked Vermont, "We don't have a McDonald's here and we don't need one."
At that moment, I suddenly understood that the people in this land really love a slow-paced life.
We took photos and added Facebook friends. When leaving, the scene of waving made me feel,
In fact, it is not difficult to make friends in the United States, as long as you are proactive and enthusiastic.
On the way back, we stopped by Planet Fitness to take a shower and refresh before continuing on the road.
The journey is still long, but the mood is already very comfortable. We stopped in Cincinnati,
I had a Korean meal, including kimchi pot and bibimbap, to replenish the salt. The highway was illuminated by the setting sun, and the sky gradually changed from golden to deep blue.
We returned home to Louisville before it was completely dark.
Run50 · State 27: Vermont, check in! It's time to get off work!
After this game, I will leave the United States for a while. After six years, I have been back in China for a while, and I am looking forward to it.
The Run50 series also has to hit the pause button. But I know this is definitely not the end.
Just like every time you run a marathon: the finish line is actually just the starting point of the next journey.
- End -
Words, photos, and layout by Arsenan