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FLRC Newsletter - Oct 2003 |
| YMCA Marathon Bismarck, ND State 39 and DC completed | |
On Thursday, September 4, my brother Roger from Virginia and I flew from Syracuse to Bismarck, North Dakota so we could both participate in the Bismarck Marathon. We had to reserve rooms several months in advance because of the big POWWOW held each year at this time with the Indians.
We were very concerned about this marathon after checking weather. com and also knowing the marathon had a five hour official cut off. North Dakota was in a heat wave with temperatures close to 100 degrees each day we were visiting and of course marathon day.
The temperature was 97 degrees when we arrived. Our first visit was to the North Dakota Heritage Center to get out of the heat and into air conditioning. The center had several informative displays on the history of North Dakota.
Friday morning was pleasant when we started out for the day with the temperature about 60 degrees but once again the temperature would reach 97 degrees for the day. Our day started with a tour of the beautiful state capital which is often referred to as the "skyscraper of the prairie." The most unusual feature of the capital is the domeless top. This is the only capital built with no dome on top in the United States.
The day continued with the packet pick up at the YMCA and obtaining a map of the course. With the marathon map in hand we were off to look over the almost completely flat course. To our surprise and delight some of the course was shaded but did have very long stretches in the country with no shade. The course took you through parts of downtown Bismarck, parks, past the Dakota Zoo, housing developments and long stretches of lonely roads in the country. The scenery in the country consisted of brown fields. North Dakota had not received any rain since June and temperatures reached 116 degrees during the summer.
In the hot afternoon we visited Fort Abraham Lincoln, General Custer's House and Calvary Square. The coolest places were the sod houses on exhibit made by the early Indians. In the Fort they had a cemetery where the soldiers were buried and on the tombstones were their names and when they died and the reason they died. I had my picture taken next to the tombstone of the soldier that froze to death while I was melting in 97 degree temperatures.
We were still very concerned when we went to bed Friday evening about the heat the following day for the marathon. It was a quiet evening with no pre race pasta dinner or expo for this marathon.
Saturday morning came and it was cool for the 7:30 start with the starting temperature 60 degrees. About 180 half and full marathoners started the race in nearby Pioneer Park.
My plan was to run as fast and as far as I could before the sun beat down with its heat. Crowd support was limited to volunteers at the water stations and 6 spectators on lawn chairs at the turn around point. Extra water stations were added due to the hot temperatures so we did have lots of water and sports drinks.
The sunshine and heat came out with a vengeance when I approached the 23 mile marker and I knew there was no shade for the remainder of the marathon. I had to dig very deep to finish with a hot time of 4:16:18. My brother was not so fortunate and did not make the 5 hour cut off. The YMCA was wonderful and left volunteers out on the course so everyone would find the finish line and receive a medal even if they did not finish before the clock was turned off.
A post race pizza party was held for all the runners at the YMCA. Many familiar 50 state runners were present to talk with about future marathon running plans.
Originally I placed second in my age group but first place was a male so I did place first in my age group.
My brother and I stayed an extra day in Bismarck to see sites such as the Badlands and The Theodore Roosevelt National Park where we did see Buffalo Herds.
To complete our visit to North Dakota we had dinner at the Alien Restaurant where Earthlings were welcome. We observed several aliens during our dinner.
Monday we left and the following day the temperature was going to be in the 60's with rain for the remainder of the week. This will be a great relief for North Dakota.
In 3 short weeks I will be running my 40th state marathon in Moline, Illinois.
Happy Running,
Ruthie
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