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FLRC Newsletter - Jan 2004 |
| Gobbler Grind Marathon, Overland Park, Kansas: State #42 and DC Completed | |
On Thursday, November 20 Larry and I flew to Kansas City, Kansas so I could run the Gobbler Grind Marathon in Overland Park, Kansas. Just before leaving I checked Weather. Com one more time. Weather. Com changed their prediction and a cold front with snow and rain would be coming in for marathon day. Warmer running clothes were added to our suitcase at the last minute.
Our hotel was located just outside of Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri. The two cities are divided merely by a street named State Line Road. I often did not know which state I was in as we traveled around.
The first day of sightseeing included a visit to the Hallmark Visitors Center. The Hallmark Cards industry started in Kansas City. One of the exhibits I particularly enjoyed included the different Christmas Cards ordered by the Presidents through the years.
The remainder of the day we toured the Arabia Steamboat Museum. The Arabia sank in the Missouri River in 1856 with a 200 ton cargo when the hull was suddenly pierced by a tree. She sank in just minutes with all of her treasures lost. Years after the tragic accident the river changed course. The legendary Arabia with its buried treasure was discovered beneath a Kansas farm field 132 years later. We were able to view items of every description used in frontier life.
Saturday began with a trip to the local running store, who sponsored the race, to pick up my packet. The first 500 runners, and I was on of them, received a beautiful fleece jacket with the Gobbler Grind logo on it. The remainder of the day we toured Independence, Missouri. While there we toured President Truman's Home and the Truman Presidential Museum and Library.
Upon our arrival to Kansas we were welcomed with temperatures in the 70's and sunshine. We would not be so fortunate marathon day. A cold front came through Saturday night with thunder storms and heavy downpour and this was going to change over to snow by marathon morning.
Our hotel was located about a quarter of a mile from the start/finish line which I always enjoy. I did not have to worry about traveling a great distance if the weather was terrible. Fortunately on Sunday morning there was no rain or snow, but the temperature would start in the 30's and drop with winds gusting over 35 miles per hour. During this time the wind chill would be a miserable 5-10 degrees. The double loop course was all within the parks system of Kansas on bike trails.
The first half went well. I was so happy to have packed the extra warm running clothes when I started the second half.
The second time around did not go so well with the temperatures dropping into the 20's and the winds increasing. A gust of wind actually blew me off the bike trail one time and also blew away the signs that showed runners which way to turn on the trails. I took a wrong turn because of this. A runner behind me knew the course and called to me to come back before I went far. On the second time around the volunteers were all huddled in their warm vehicles as the winds blew away full water glasses. The wind was a direct head wind the last 2 miles and I could hardly move. Another runner was struggling ahead of me. The runner was 18 year old Brenton Floyd whom I had met in Storm Lake, Iowa. He was running his 187th marathon and had only 12 more states to go before he completed all 50 states again. Benton was also struggling because he had run a marathon the day before in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We continued struggling together and were very happy to cross the finish line in 4:20:45. I had turned into a popsicle and while Larry was patiently waiting for me he turned into an iceberg. We quickly made our way to the hotel and I did not care to wait around for the age group award results.
Next month I will complain about the heat as I "suffer" in Honolulu, Hawaii running the marathon.
Happy Running,
Ruthie
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