My Nebraska marathon, the Logan View Raider Run, was coordinated with a motorcycle tour of the Cornhusker State, which I did with my brother Chris (the one from Alaska). We experienced the full "flavor" of Nebraska and ate tons of beef. Chris and I met in Omaha the week before the marathon, rented Harley's, and explored. Chris did not run the marathon, but he did act as my main cheerleader for the race.After we returned the motorcycles back to Omaha, we rented a car and drove north about 30 miles to Fremont, which was the closest "big" city near the Logan View Raider marathon in Hooper. It was a small marathon, with only 70 people running, and it was a blast.
The pasta dinner the night before the marathon was delicious. It came highly recommended, and I'm glad we went because usually the pre-marathon pasta dinners are nothing to rave about. A lot of runners attended the dinner. It was nice to meet them that night and then chat with them the next morning during the marathon. Three people in particular stand out:
John and Karen drove there from Michigan and are running the 50 states in alphabetical order. Nebraska was state #27 for them.
Eugene, in from Connecticut, has completed a marathon in each of the 50 states, 9 TIMES!!!
The marathon course was a 26.2-mile loop on mostly gravel. Overall, I found this marathon to be a "treat." Getting to run on the soft gravel surface was a treat for my legs, while running the loop was a treat for my mind since I got to see new scenery for the entire run.
Thunder storms were lurking in the distance, but they never manifested.
Just after the start, there was an amazing sunrise, and then, a little farther along on the course, a rainbow.
Specifics to remember, triviality to treasure:
Saturday, August 23, 2014: Arrived Omaha. Stayed at DoubleTree. Dinner at The Grey Plume.
Sunday, August 24, 2014: Brunch and dinner at Upstream Brewery.
Monday, August 25, 2014: Picked-up motorcycles at Dillion Brothers. Chris rented a Street Glide and I rented a Heritage Softail. Breakfast at Jimmy's Egg. Rode to north to South Sioux City, NE, about 90 miles. Stayed at Marina Inn. Dinner at Kahill's.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014: Breakfast at Kahill's, included in room charge. Left about noon. Rode along the Outlaw Scenic Byway to Valentine. Stayed at Niobrara Lodge. Dinner at Peppermill. Rode about 250 miles this day.
Wednesday, August 27, 2014: Breakfast at the hotel. Rode along Highway 97 south, a small country road. Stopped in Thedford for lunch. First stopped at local art gallery, Thedford Art Gallery, in town for information, there was an "info" sign out front. The ladies at the gallery told us that there was a local artist who use to live in Alaska, Ron Fullerton. When we went to the place that they recommended for lunch, we met Ron. Ron was born in Dover, NJ! His son owned the lunch place. Started to rain while we were there. Continued to Broken Bow and got a room at the historic Arrow Hotel. Dinner at Bonfire Grill. Rode about 170 miles this day.
Thursday, August 28, 2014: Breakfast at little downtown cafe called City Cafe and Donut Shop. Rain stopped by the time we left. Rode to York for lunch - Chances "R." Continued onto Lincoln. Got a room at Embassy Suites. Were able to park right outside the front door. Dinner at Lazlo's. Walked around "historic" downtown after dinner.
Friday, August 29, 2014: Breakfast at hotel. Rode to Omaha, hit a little rain along the way. Dropped off my bike and then rode on the back of Chris' bike to the airport to pick-up the rental car. On the way back to drop off Chris' motorcycle, hit a major downpour. Drove to Fremont. Room at Holiday Inn Express. Dinner at J's Steakhouse.
Saturday, August 30, 2014: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch at Bella's Broad Street Diner- delicious homemade corn beef hash. Drove to Logan View School in Hooper to pick-up race number. Spent afternoon at Fremont Lakes. Back to Logan View School for pasta dinner.
Sunday, August 31, 2014: Got a ride with Ken from New Orleans to the start. Ran marathon. Chris was at the finish, cheering me in. Showered at the school. Drove back to Omaha. Dropped off rental car at airport, took shuttle to hotel (DoubleTree again). Dinner at Jackson Street Tavern.
Monday, September 1, 2014: Early morning departure back to NYC.
