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FLRC Newsletter - July 2004 |
| The Casper Marathon | |
It was only one week from my last marathon in Rochester, Minnesota. My husband Larry and I were on our way to Casper, Wyoming. This would be the 48th state I have run a marathon in, and the marathon was being held on my 57th birthday.
The flight was long with two layovers. Upon arrival, we could see Casper in the middle of nowhere from the plane. Casper Mountain was on one side, with open plains surrounding Casper on the other sides. Through Casper runs the North Platte River. Casper became famous when the US looked west. Through Casper passed many trails including the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, and the Pony Express. Everyone had to cross the North Platte River. The Mormons who were camped here realized that there was money to be made by boating travelers across the river. Casper is also famous for its oil wells which were first tapped in 1889, and they still have a refinery in town today so gasoline was $1.79 a gallon.
On our first day of touring we visited the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center to learn more about Casper and the Historic Trails. I was brave enough to experience a virtual river crossing in a covered wagon and did not fall out of the wagon and drown during the experience. It was very interesting to learn about the many hardships the pioneers had to endure.
Our next stop was Fort Casper. This fort was named in honor of Casper Collins, a twenty-one year old lieutenant killed while trying to reach an army supply train under American Indian attack in 1865.
During our touring we saw many antelope out in the fields. The marathon had stated on its application "Come Run With The Antelope," and it was certainly true.
After visiting the limited attractions in Casper and looking over the course, we decided to travel to Deadwood, South Dakota, the following day to visit our friends Jack and Roberta. It would also be a great way to see the vast state of Wyoming.
The Deadwood–Michelson Trail Marathon was being held the same day as Casper. While in Deadwood we went to the race expo and saw Cathy Troisi, my 50-state friend who was running the Deadwood–Michelson Trail Marathon, along with many other 50-state friends from across the United States.
After lunch we had to be on our way back to Casper for the packet pickup and prerace pasta dinner. The race packets consisted of a T-shirt with antelope running with runners on the front and bib numbers. The pasta dinner was next, where I was again able to see more 50-state running friends I had met at other marathons. While at the dinner, the director told a story about last years marathon and the experience the runners had with the antelope on the course. A herd ran alongside of the runners and then cut through the runners, which was quite an experience for everyone. The antelope do not like anyone out running them.
I did have concerns about marathon day after watching the evening news and the weather forecast. Casper was experiencing unusually warm temperatures, 90+°F and strong winds with gusts up to 40 mph. Marathon morning was pleasant with the temperature starting at 60°F and bright sunshine. We started at the new Events Center and went out to the country roads where we did see antelope. The course heads back to Casper where we entered the Platte River Parkway Trail, which we would stay on for the remainder of the marathon. This one runner passed me like I was standing still and he looked just like and ran like Howard Macmillan. It took me almost to the half marathon line to catch up to him and make sure it was not Howard running in Wyoming and beating me.
After leaving the half marathoners off, we continued running along the side of the picturesque Platte River amongst the Cottonwood trees. In the river we could see the kayakers, rafters, and canoe paddlers. Once we left the half-marathon point and headed out of town again, the head winds picked up and the forecasted heat started to bear down. It became a real struggle with the wind, heat, and 26% humidity to the turnaround point where we encountered the steepest hill on the course. At every aid station I was taking two full glasses of water, and my mouth was parched by the time I reached the next aid station. Larry saw me several times along the way, and I would tell him each time it was going to be a five-hour-plus marathon. I continued to struggle along and the runners had thinned out so much I could not see anyone ahead or behind me. I just kept telling myself to keep going and when I finished there would be no marathon for two months and I could just rest then.
My best birthday present was at last seeing the finish line and the struggle was over in 4:36:04. Even with this time I placed second in the ten-year age group. They gave beautiful travel calculators as awards. The finisher medals kept with the antelope theme. An antelope was etched on the front of the medal and a herd of antelope was etched on the back with runners.
When we left early Monday morning, a herd of antelope were roaming the streets just outside of our hotel.
It is truly going to be a welcome rest now until September when I will be doing state 49 in New Mexico and finally, in October, state 50 in Colorado.
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