Pre-race
I’m really not sure about this marathon. My last 2 distance runs, 15 and 20 miles, were poor, if not, defeating. The sudden heat and humidity 🥵 may have impacted my runs, but nonetheless, they did not feel good – neither physically nor mentally. The only runs I felt good about these last few weeks were 3 and 4-milers… that’s a long way from completing a marathon. So I’m not going into this confidently, but determined to finish one way or another 💪🏼 I mean… it can’t be more of a shit show than my last one… surely not.
My friend talked me into watching Fargo, both the FX series and the movie. The “North Dakota accent” and manner of speech, especially in the movie, are over-accentuated, which makes it hilarious. I was curious how many people here would actually have that accent and speech.
All week, I was nervous my flight would be delayed or cancelled due to the numerous thunderstorms ⛈️ moving through the country. Luckily, my flight was only an hour delayed at takeoff. Our landing was a bit odd. Wheels were out, and the pilot pulled the plane up shortly before landing. I thought perhaps we were coming in too fast to a shorter runway. Nope… turns out another plane was still on the takeoff strip 🙀 Our second time around went without a hitch. I stepped off the plane, and was immediately greeted by an African American with “Welcome to Fargo”… full, genuine accent 🤗
I waited for my Über, and had the unfortunate opportunity to overhear a couple of female racers. When I say overhear, I mean, there was no way not to hear them. They were talking to a poor, non-running male about how they were profiling all skinny people to be runners. Perhaps they were trying to engage other runners into conversation, but they were real obnoxious. I thought first timers… and then they disclosed this would be their 20th or so marathon through the states. Damn. We’re in the same league 🤦🏻♀️
I booked my trip about a month before the marathon, thinking the choices would be plentiful. Nope. Most of the hotels were already booked. I ended up booking a trendy hotel about a (non-walkable it turns out) mile from downtown. I knew that it also was a food hall and event space. It reminded me of when I stayed at the active train station in Denver. Well, I walked in and was completely lost 🤔 I saw a bar, food stalls and check-in for a tattoo convention. There was nothing that resembled the front desk of a hotel. I followed some convention-goers into the elevator, and asked them if the hotel lobby was upstairs. Luckily, they knew and directed me to check-in at the bar. The bartender literally checked me in.
I dropped off my luggage, and headed to packet pick-up. It’s not far, but it’s in Minnesota. While waiting to enter the expo, a couple girls behind me complained about the change in the expo location. I had not noticed the change in packet pick-up, but certainly noted the multiple start time changes 🕖 It was first set for 7.45 AM, then 7 AM, and now 7.15 AM. I hope I get to the start “on time.” Perhaps this will be dubbed the “marathon of changes”… not sure if that is good or bad. Not only have the expo location and time changed, the course was altered due to heavy rains.
I walked to the downtown area after picking up my packet. I saw a flock of turkeys 🦃 on my way 🤷🏻♀️ I was listening to a Podcast on my AirPods, and got a kick when Siri welcomed me to North Dakota 🤗 I think it’s the first time I’ve stepped over a state line. Downtown, mainly one street, is quaint but vibrant. I found one of the many painted bisons 🦬 scattered around Fargo.
I’m back at my hotel now, and just finished my last carb load Rice Krispie treat 😋 At least my glycogen stores are ready for the race tomorrow.
Post-race
Fargo’s marathon slogan is “Uff Da.” “Uff Da” is a Norwegian phrase used to express surprise, annoyance, relief, exhaustion, disappointment, astonishment, exasperation and dismay. It is used when things are good, and when things are bad. The phrase seemed fitting for my time in Fargo… but mostly for the positive usage 🤗
I slept decently, but was awoken several times during the night by the night festivities 🎶 and train 🚂 that sounded like it was going through my room. (Turns out the train tracks were a stone throw away from the living area) I woke up excited, and ready to go. I ate my peanut butter filled figs 😋 and banana, and went downstairs promptly at 6 for the coffee shop ☕️ opening. The doors were still locked so I walked around to the drive-through window. It’s not the first time I’ve walked up to a drive-through window to order (although the hour was much later… or earlier), and I needed my coffee! The workers didn’t realize it was already past 6 so opened the main doors for me. Several other racers lined up shortly after me.
I’m always nervous about my scheduled ride showing up on time, but my Lyft driver showed up 15 minutes early. So then I was nervous 😥 he was going to take off after the allotted 2 minute wait time. We communicated (in Spanish!), and I felt much better. I had a pleasant ride conversing with him… my Spanish is not too shabby. He had emigrated from Cuba. He prefers the cold weather and there is a decent Cuban community in Fargo… who knew?!
I arrived well before the start. The weather was perfect! It was mostly sunny 🌤️ around 50°. There were 1468 marathon runners in addition to 10K and half marathon runners… so very decent size. The emcee was entertaining. She claimed that anyone aspiring to run the 50 states had to go through Fargo, which I believe. She also said the longer you ran, the more you got your money’s worth… also true. She then cautioned runners to stay hydrated as it was going to be hot (upper 60°)… not true if you’re from Texas.
The start unconventionally had the half marathoners go out first, followed by the marathoners. I made sure I kept close to a group of marathoners lest I go out with the wrong group. The courses were different, and I would have been quite upset if I ran the wrong race.
I ran my first 20-21 miles around an 8.40/min pace. The course was as flat as I had been told. We ran through a few neighborhoods, small college campus and park (in Minnesota), downtown, and then back to the Fargodome. Luckily, my stomach behaved. I was so grateful my stomach issues in Lafayette didn’t happen here as there were maybe 4 port-o-potties along the course. If I had had the same issues, I would have had to beg the many supporters for bathroom support 🚽… I wonder if they would have obliged. I would like to think Fargo would be the place where they would.
Some of my pace was fueled by irritation. The close to 4 hour pacing group was doing that silly running style of running fast for part of the mile, and then pulling back. I was close to them for several (too many) miles, so we kept passing each other. The most annoying part was this girl in an orange shirt running just ahead of the group. She kept looking back to make sure the group was close by, and had no concern for those around her. Each time she passed me, she would cut me off, nearly tripping me. I had to pull away from them!
At one point, I almost went with the 10K runners. Luckily, a spectator pointed me in the right direction 😅
The race became a mental battle with about 10 miles left. I was determined not to walk. Carb loading is meant to prevent you from “hitting the wall,” rather than make you faster. I was running about 1-1.5 minutes faster than my long run training paces, and it caught up with me. Despite that knowledge, I thought of my huge carb load Rice Krispie treat for mental energy… that didn’t work. A sign that said “Run with Purpose,” fueled me for a little bit. With about 7 miles left, I thought about the time I ran hungover in Duluth, MN. I felt much worse, and still finished. With 5 miles left, I pulled my pace back to about 9.00/mile. Around this time, the pacer of the 4 hour pacing group passed me. God no… not that orange shirt girl again 😣 She had petered out, and I never saw her again 🥳 At 3 miles, I slowed down to 9.30/mile. I told myself to treat the last few miles like a cooldown. Each mile seemed to be getting longer. I kept thinking of the winery I was planning to visit after the race… how nice a glass of white wine would taste… And finally the finish line appeared on the horizon 🥹
I finished with a time of 3.50.29.
Bear Creek Winery was as quaint and beautiful as it looked. They use interesting, cold climate, grape varietals. I was starving by the time I got there, and ordered a cheese plate 🧀 for 1-2, and a pizza 🍕 The waitress had asked if I wanted the cheese plate for 3-4. Good thing I stuck with a plate for 1-2… it was huge and delicious! A couple of women at a nearby table admired my impressive food spread. We got to talking, and I had a lovely afternoon with them.
I returned to my hotel and got a smorgasbord of food 🍜 🍟 🍦for dinner to enjoy in my room. I went to bed happy and exhausted.
I was very impressed with Fargo. It is a surprisingly vibrant city for a population of 125,000. The people were diverse, friendly and more liberal than expected. I had several, memorable interactions with locals in my short time there. It reminded me that connecting with people, and exploring new places are worthwhile perks for running the 50 states.