It is a long ways up to Duluth, Mn by car. We made it to Ames Iowa on Thursday that left about 5-6 hours on Friday. There ways about 10 miles of construction down to 1 lane that tacked on some time. Checked into our room at the Radisson. We were able to walk inside walkway from the hotel all the way to the convention center where the expo was held. Expo was bumper to bumper so I grabbed my packet and swooped, I did get a glimpse of the legend Dick Beardsley and it looked like he was carrying a guitar. We ate at a Mexican restaurant on the canal and headed back to our room. No air conditioning in the room just a blowing fan motor, they got us another fan and said they would change out the ac unit tomorrow. Race day arrived and it was forecasted warm and humid just like back home. I opted for the train ride option which was not the best choice as bus riders arrived well before the train populating the porta johns. I finally made it with 10 minutes before race start. I lined up right behind the 3:05 pace group and I was able to keep em in sight out in front of me to my first port o let stop 8 miles. I would make two more stops when I came out to the 3 rd the 3:15 went by. It got really warm about 15 miles in and I was dumping cup after cup of water on me. The course had hills up and down that were gentle inclines. I ran into a Tulsa runner Trani Matthews that was looking for 3:10 I let go he finished about a minute or so in front of me and said he had to walk it in. I knew this was going to turn in to just a finisher early in the race. But I survived it. Hopefully I will have a better fall at USAF marathon and Chicago Marathon. |