IMO Vermont is an easier course than Philly, and Philly can certainly be a fast course. Full disclosure, I work for VCM. Our course is a net downhill of about 100', which all comes over the last 11 miles because at 15.3 you are right next to the start line. The high point of the course is at mile 1.5, you won't notice it because it's a gradual climb and it's so early in the race. The 2 most significant hills are at mile 8 and mile 15, both rise about 80', mile 8 is over 3/4 of a mile, mile 15 is over 5 city blocks. Taiko drummers at the bottom of that hill if you like that sort of thing. Other than that, a few rollers mile 4-8, and short uphills at miles 12.4, 12.8, and 16.7. If you check out the course profile online it looks a lot hillier than it really is.
VCM was a 4 minute pr for me. I like the big downhill at mile 21.4 and that the last 4.5 miles are flat on the bikepath along the lake. If you're on pace at 30k there isn't anything on the course that's going to challenge you it's all about what do you have left.
We offer a Preferred Start Corral for those who have a sub 3:20 marathon or a sub 1:35 half in the last 2 years. We only get about 400 starters in that corral so the whole group crosses the start line within 15 seconds of the gun and you're guaranteed to not have any 4+ hour marathoners to weave around.
Good luck with your recovery and return to training - hope to see you in Burlington next May!! Any questions I can help with please feel free to drop me an email.