I ran the Casper Wyoming marathon one year. It was a beautiful marathon on a nice warm spring day.
Everything went well until the end.
The race spends several miles running on paved trails similar to the Jordan river Parkway, especially near the end, or at least it was the year I ran it. There are lots of curves in the trail. The mile 26 marker went by, I couldn’t see the finish line from there. Then the trail curved, and came up to a street. Based on the curve of the trail and a very inattentive volunteer stationed there, I started running down the street instead of crossing it into the finish area. I got 40 or 50 yards down the street before I figured out I was suddenly alone. I turned back around, and being from out of state and not familiar with the course, I got disoriented.
I got back on the paved trail and started running, expecting to see the finish line appear any second. Instead of seeing the finish line, I saw the mile 26 marker again, only it was facing the wrong way. Figuring out I was running the wrong direction, I turned around, then ended up back at the same corner again.
I always use music when I run marathons, usually in both ears. Being very frustrated by now, I shouted at the inattentive volunteer asking where I was supposed to go. But then I couldn’t hear what he said because of the headphones. Then someone else ran by, so I saw where the finish line was, less than 30 yards away.
It’s probably good I never heard what the volunteer said back to me.
Frank has run 103 marathons and 3 ultras. He considers any exercise that is not running to be a waste of time. His running music of choice is Nightwish, though he is also a huge fan of Cher. Frank currently lives with his wife in West Jordan, Utah.
Race Directors Note: Frank is a good personal friend that I have known for many years. We currently run together on a weekly basis, and I have run several marathons with him. Through these many interactions I have heard many of the stories that we are sharing on this blog, and I thought it was about time for the rest of the world to hear them. So I hope you all enjoy Fridays with Frank.
-Andrew