Quick decision to do the Logan View Raiders Marathon in Hooper NE (pop. 850) after my last marathon in Missoula on July 15th, so just managed to get a 35K training run in three weeks prior, but no hill training for a course that was described as hilly (they did not lie). But, figure I’ll get Nebraska off my 50 state list for my 71st marathon and I think 39th state, according to 50 states club rules.
For those that have read some of my race reports post before, you know I like long distance driving on my road trips. Last Friday’s first travel day was no different as I left Toronto just before 6am and made the 835 mile drive to Des Moines IA in just over 13 hours. Have done this road trip before, doing the Des Moines Marathon back in 2003.
Friday’s long drive made Saturday’s travel distance an easy two hours. Had some time to spend in Omaha, before heading about 45 minutes NE of Omaha to Hooper. Dropped by the Joslyn Art Museum which is in a beautiful art deco building. Not a bad art gallery for a smaller sized city, as Omaha had some very rich art patrons that made money in this region on agri, railways, insurance (think Mutual of Omaha) and telecommunications (many 800 service lines ended here before they were outsourced overseas). Had European Master Paintings (well one each) by Matisse, Monet, Cassatt, Renoir and a Rembrandt.
Stopped for lunch in the Historic Old Town part of Omaha downtown before heading off to the old Omaha Union Station that has been transformed into the Dunham Museum. Again, another beautiful old Art Deco building. Had exhibits on the history of Omaha and Nebraska plus a transportation museum with, surprise, railway cars and engines. Never did find Platform 9 ¾.
Drove up to Hooper to the Public & High School complex that was organizing the 50K/Marathon/Half/5K races as a fund raiser to pick up my race kit and have an early dinner at the Pasta Party at the school. As expected, a number of 50 States and Marathon Manic suspects around.
Hotel was just 20 minutes away and got to bed around 10:30pm for a 4:45am wake up with the 6:30am Marathon/50K start time. Race day morning was 75F, cloudy with spotty showers that quickly cleared up and did not rain on the race. Temps already felt in the low 80s with the humidity and probably went up to the low to mid 90s during the last third of the race. Had some relief with clouds covering the sun for about 60% of the time I was on course and a strong south-east wind that was both a blessing and curse. Smallest marathon field I’ve been in as only about 60 runners lined up for the marathon & maybe 15 (including one female entrant)for the 50K. Their attendance was down as the Omaha Running Club decided to put on their own marathon on the same weekend, otherwise about 100 marathoners was the norm for this four year old race.
Course was mostly on well-maintained country gravel roads. Since I like to wear my shoes loose, I had to stop and empty out the gravel in my shoes just about every aid station that were about 2 ½ miles apart and a couple of times when a larger bothersome peddle got in my shoes. Absolutely no spectators, other than a billion crickets, a couple of horses, the occasional cattle and some ducks in a pen. If you hate the sound of crickets, do not do this race. Just 26 miles of corn (expected Shoeless Joe Jackson to come through the 8 ft. corn stalks at any time) and soybean fields.
After the first mile, only passed one guy at the 11 mile mark who disappeared into the corn field to answer nature’s call. He re-passed me later on around 13 miles. Then one young gal, who was looking all too fresh, passed me at 21 miles. Passed one other guy at mile 22, but he was doing the 50K. Walked through or stopped at every aid station to down a full glass of water or Gatorade, occasionally pouring a bit over my head. Aid stations were cheerfully manned by the schools various clubs and sport teams.
As advertised it was a hilly course on country roads with the last four miles having some really steep hills, combined with a strong wind. Basically I walked those last hills as my walking speed would be comparable to what my running speed would be on those inclines against the hills. With the increased crown and unevenness of the country roads, I began experiencing cramping of my lower leg peroneal muscles as well as some foot cramping when emptying out the gravel out of my shoes. Maybe I should of worn gators. Yup, the last four miles were ugly and mostly at a walking pace.
Got ‘er done in 4:33.50. A Personal Worst, but happy to finish and glad for the A/C and showers available back at the school. Got a belt buckle instead of a medal for my efforts. Official results haven’t been posted yet, so I don’t have a further breakdown of the placings.
Had to recover quick and be on my way, cuz I decided to attend the Sunday Night Baseball Games at Busch Stadium in St. Louis which was a seven hour drive away. Made it to my seat by the middle of the first inning. It was a sold out game, with the Cardinals home team getting smoked 7-1 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Did chow down on a hot dog and a large turkey leg during the game.
Straight back home 770 miles to Toronto the next day, with a stash of Cherry Coke (not available in Canada, except in those fancy multi-flavoured vending machines).
Nike GPS SplitsKm Time Change Avg Pace
1 5:02 -- 5'02"/km
2 10:32 + 0:28 (-10%) 5'30"/km
3 15:55 - 0:07 (2%) 5'23"/km
4 21:34 + 0:16 (-5%) 5'39"/km
5 27:25 + 0:12 (-4%) 5'51"/km
6 33:13 - 0:03 (0%) 5'48"/km
7 39:07 + 0:06 (-2%) 5'54"/km
8 44:55 - 0:06 (1%) 5'48"/km
9 50:44 + 0:01 (-1%) 5'49"/km
10 56:39 + 0:06 (-2%) 5'55"/km
11 1:02:26 - 0:08 (2%) 5'47"/km
12 1:08:29 + 0:16 (-5%) 6'03"/km
13 1:14:25 - 0:07 (1%) 5'56"/km
14 1:20:15 - 0:06 (1%) 5'50"/km
15 1:26:18 + 0:13 (-4%) 6'03"/km
16 1:32:06 - 0:15 (4%) 5'48"/km
17 1:37:55 + 0:01 (-1%) 5'49"/km
18 1:44:03 + 0:19 (-6%) 6'08"/km
19 1:50:05 - 0:06 (1%) 6'02"/km
20 1:56:26 + 0:19 (-6%) 6'21"/km
21 2:02:30 - 0:17 (4%) 6'04"/km
22 2:08:29 - 0:05 (1%) 5'59"/km
23 2:14:48 + 0:20 (-6%) 6'19"/km
24 2:20:45 - 0:22 (5%) 5'57"/km
25 2:27:31 + 0:49 (-14%) 6'46"/km
26 2:33:30 - 0:47 (11%) 5'59"/km
27 2:39:47 + 0:18 (-6%) 6'17"/km
28 2:45:59 - 0:05 (1%) 6'12"/km
29 2:52:37 + 0:26 (-7%) 6'38"/km
30 2:58:57 - 0:18 (4%) 6'20"/km
31 3:05:10 - 0:07 (1%) 6'13"/km
32 3:12:06 + 0:43 (-12%) 6'56"/km
33 3:18:43 - 0:19 (4%) 6'37"/km
34 3:25:37 + 0:17 (-5%) 6'54"/km
35 3:32:23 - 0:08 (1%) 6'46"/km
36 3:39:47 + 0:38 (-10%) 7'24"/km
37 3:46:50 - 0:21 (4%) 7'03"/km
38 3:55:13 + 1:20 (-19%) 8'23"/km
39 4:03:20 - 0:16 (3%) 8'07"/km
40 4:13:26 + 1:59 (-25%) 10'06"/km
41 4:22:55 - 0:37 (6%) 9'29"/km
42 4:31:57 - 0:27 (4%) 9'02"/km
