THE FARGO MARATHON

On Saturday May 19, 2007, I participated in the Fargo Marathon, my first ever 26.2 mile race. What a memory! I saw some great sights, and met some great folks. I did a great deal of hobbling along while suffering with a great pain in my left knee. But I started at the beginning and finished at the end. So I'm calling it a success.

I first learned about the Fargo marathon from C. M. Newman, whom I met here in Ellendale last summer when I ran my first 5K race. He's an impressive runner. Lean, tanned, and serious looking and his running spandex. He looks like a professional.

Maybe the most interesting thing about C.M. is that he's in his late sixties. When I met him last June, he had just won his age division in the Fargo Marathon. I was told that he wins all the 5K races in Ellendale, usually by a big margin. I didn't know about his running exploits when I met him. In fact before last year I had never even watched a 5K race, let alone thought of running in one.

After the race (which he won easily), I started asking C.M. a lot of questions about running. He told me about the Fargo Marathon. He said it was really well organized. The start and finish were both at the Fargodome, one of the biggest arenas in the region. He said the runners got lots of encouragement and respect during and after the race. The finishers had their names called out and their images put up on the jumbotrons as they entered the dome and crossed the finish line. This all sounded sort of interesting to me. Yes, I thought, it would be great to be in this run.

As a complete beginner, I knew very little about running, but I did know that doing a marathon would require many months of preparation. I had the time, but did I have the determination? I was a little worried about the winter months. What did runners in northern latitudes do to keep themselves in shape during weeks of subzero temperatures, blizzards, howling winds and short days? C.M. had a great answer. Run. Just like normal, but wear multiple layers. Cover your face. And be careful when it's icy. C.M. said he did his six-mile routine every morning, even when the thermometer read 32 below. Wow, I thought. If a guy who's old enough to retire can run all winter, I bet I could too.

I thought about it. In September I ran the Applefest 5K race and talked with C.M. again. A few days later I decided I would start training for the Fargo Marathon. So I did start training. I ran all winter. I ran on snowpack, in fresh deep snow, in a blizzard, into stiff chilly winds, and often in the dark. And on May 19 I ran the Fargo Marathon.

The main thing I've learned about running a marathon is that the preparation--the countless afternoons and evenings of hard and easy, long and short runs--is more important than the race itself. I have really enjoyed getting to know the countryside around my little town of Ellendale. Every mile of road has its little memories.