After a whirlwind day of exploring KC & local Olathe, ended Friday with bib pick-up – including a selfie with Oz’ infamous archvillain, Wicked Witch of the West.  Seemed appropriate running in Kansas 🙂

Woke Saturday early, hotel check-out, short drive from Lenexa to Garmin Headquarters in Olathe – where I promptly took a 30 minute nap before lining up under dark clouds in high humidity.

Singing of the National Anthem, then off we ran thru downtown Olathe.  Heard thunder at mile 4, sky briefly lit up at mile 8.  Kept thinking: run quick – don’t want race organizers pulling me off course early for inclement weather.  Safety first…I suppose.  50 State Quest isn’t cheap – previously have had 2 marathons cancel.  Loss of race fees, flights.  Determined to finish all 50 in 2016 🙂

Down came the rain.  Not the sprinkles we call precip in Colorado but Kansas/Midwest rain.  Big drops accompanied with blowing wind. Scored a free race cap from a volunteer (thanks) but that only held off the inevitable.  Eyes burned thru mile 12, hair sweat-drenched from the early humid miles – now salt-free, rinsed by sheets of rain.

Entered Indian Creek Trail at mile 16, where rain concerns were replaced with mud.  Wasn’t worried about keeping clean – shoes soaked, muck splattered legs – concern was staying upright.  Slick mud oozed on paved walkways under crossways & up bridges.

Felt Spartan racing in mud, pushing water from my shoes with each new strike on the pavement.

Rain subsided by mile 23.  Not my typical run – generally I go out quick & sloth the last 4 miles.  Today however, I was steady Eddie – nice even pace from mile 16 on.  Who wants to walk in the rain, right?  Positive note taken from less than ideal weather.

Keenan Haga was at Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz.

April 18 at 1:27pm · iOS ·

 

thunder, lightning & buckets of rain – everything you’d expect in the Land of Oz. tough run conditions but scored a ‘yellow-brick’ medal & first race shirt with a flying monkey 🙂  check Kansas off the list folks, next week Kentucky.

2015 Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz Result – Olathe, KS

K R Haga

Congratulations On Your Finish

Here Are Your Ultramax Sports Personalized Results:

Overall Place  329

Finish Time  4:42:48.23