- DATE: 9/10/2011
- RESULTS: 1:43:15
- RACE & STATE: Race #11, State #6
The Graniteman Half Marathon in Sauk Rapids Minnesota had a memorable finish. The race announcer was on the loudspeaker barking out names and hometowns as I crossed the finish line. When the gentleman got to my name (as I crossed the finish) he said something to the effect of, “Von Holbrook from San Mateo, California ….. San Mateo? I hope this guy knows someone here and didn’t travel here just for the race.”
Of course I traveled here (there) just for the race, thanks man.
Where Am I?
I was 70 miles northwest of Minneapolis in a place that is beautiful but felt very far from home. This was the first time I felt like I was in a foreign land in the continental United States. The drive from Minneapolis to Sauk Rapids was scenic, green but seemed endless. The town of Sauk Rapids is small and quaint but I was already excited about leaving.
The race morning wasn’t fun. This particular morning I had anxiety about the race. Likely just feeling out of place I guess. Here’s the good and the bad news, bad news first. The bad news is that around mile seven I was running along a country road next to a corn field and feeling like I was going to puke. Not fun. And, gulping a GU down with a chug of water didn’t help matters. The good news is that by mile thirteen it had dissipated. It stands to reason that with the race finished I could chill out, think about a 70 mile drive to Minneapolis and the cold beer that awaited me. It was time to start my trek home.
I planned this race last minute and it serves me right. Minnesota is a beautiful state and next time I visit, I will find a slightly larger race to run.