I’ve never been so worried. While the numbers are small for Sunday’s Heartland Marathon, their safety has been weighing heavy on my mind. No, not you loyal readers, if you check these musings you are likely either well acclimated and trained for this daring do or have sense enough to bag it. The marathon’s Medical Director is Dr. Bill Weeks. Impeccable credentials. Has attended medical conferences in conjunction with the Boston Marathon, dealing with just these issues. Was the Medical Director for the 2012 USA Club T&F National Championships at Burke Stadium (the track 10,000 was conducted in 90 degree heat, we lost no one). And Nebraska Run Guru Elite team Doctor. He called this morning to discuss protocols.
My position is heartless. If the heat index warrants canceling, don’t hesitate. Take a strong position on letting, suggesting, or insisting athletes “drop down” in distance. Even consider allowing paid entries the option of running next year with this year’s confirmation.
Linda (women) and I (men) will be lead bikers for the half marathon. Neither of us relish the assignment. We are equally sure there is no one with more experience or any better qualified. The out and back course is going to be a mustard duck. I’ll have the easier row to hoe as we double back into the oncoming runners on that crappy stretch of concrete called the Keystone “Trail”. Call a sidewalk what you will, it remains a series of 4′ x 4′ concrete squares that will both beat the hell out of you and reflect the unrelenting sun.
The trail will not be closed to the general public. It will be very difficult to access anyone that goes down, equally as difficult to extract.
We are doing this for you the runners, the Omaha Running Club, and Tom Whitaker. But not looking forward to it at all.
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