Lots of things on my mind this morning. I was supposed to rise early to get the run in before the sun topped the trees, my flexible schedule coupled with my lazy butt overrode that notion, so I’ll tough it out mid morning as usual. This blast furnace is supposed to ease a bit in a couple of days and I know we are all looking forward to that.
I spoke to Ron “BIX” Baker yesterday, we were discussing the TNB performances in Davenport. I asked him what his best time ever was at the race, “39:57 at age 55” was his answer. You do the math for 7 miles and you’ll understand why Ron is one of the most amazing (and consistent) runners to ever come from Nebraska.
On our ride back Saturday afternoon the mates got a lesson from Linda on USATF Certified courses. In her capacity as the USATF Athlete Development Program Coordinator she receives dozens of emails every week from athletes that are on the rise. They apply to her for financial support to our National Championships races. If the athlete cites a performance from a race that is not Certified it automatically goes into the round file. While some of these performances are undoubtedly legitimate, if the course is not then that is the shame. Same with pr recognition. If you’ve run your best ever time on a non-certified course, that and fifty cents will get you a cup of coffee and not much else.
With that in mind here are some options for your consideration: The Lake Wehrspann 10K this weekend is USATF Certified (NE08003KU), TNB will race this event. I’m also very happy to report that the YMCA Bill Seymour Half Marathon has finally certified their course, (NE11008KU). The Omaha Corporate Cup 10K (NE08006KU) and Corporate Cup 2 Mile (NE08004KU) are both USATF Certified. The Peak to Peak 10 Mile (NE11001KU), Omaha Race For The Cure 5K (NE09010KU), Ted E. Bear Hollow 10K (NE11003KU) and 5K (NE11002KU) are both certified for the first time. If the water level subsides enough we will use the certified Omaha Marathon (NE10006KU), Omaha Half Marathon (NE10005KU), and Omaha 10K (NE10002KU) courses in September. If the water doesn’t go down Gary Meyer will be one very busy puppy re-doing those courses.
Primer: The above certification codes roll like this- NE for Nebraska, duh. The next two numbers indicate the year that the certification was done, the next 3 digits indicate the sequential number of certified courses within Nebraska for the year, so the Ted E. Bear Hollow 5K for example was the 2nd course certified in Nebraska this year.
Two more races that are on the TNB competitive schedule this fall (you can run but you can’t hide!): The Sioux Falls Marathon (SD10006CM) and Half Marathon (SD10005CM).
We have added 10 USATF Certified courses in Omaha alone this year, we also added 10 last year. This is a Great Start to making the Omaha running scene credible, something I have fought for vigorously since 2001.
Maybe I’ll run the Omaha Marathon this fall. And then I’ll probably go to the Carlsbad 5K in the spring and run 15:30.
See you at the races!
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