In the beginning, there are two words. “Head” and “winds.” And for the next twelve loops around the drained lake of Baker, Montana’s Triangle Park, those two words would haunt me.
I don’t understand the physics but the long and winding loop through the park and out and back corkscrewing through Iron Horse park to round the Mainly Marathon black cone somehow produced headwinds both ways for 90% of the time. Shouldn’t there have been more tail winds on a loop that has one retrace your steps back to the start? Baker, MT, must be one of those Mystery Spots where the laws of nature do not apply.
Daniel lead the pre-race announcements and warned us to run the tangents or else we’d really run long on this course. I tried my best but I must have done something seriously wrong. I wound up, according to my garmin, traversing 27.29 miles.
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Before making the hour or so drive back to Bowman, ND, I wanted to check out the one item listed for Baker. I’m not surprised there’s only one entry. The biggest business here seems to be three competing gas stations. That isn’t surprising given signs like this:
But tucked away off of Main Street is the O’Fallon Historical Museum. Here one can encounter the world’s largest steer. While I’m no expert, I can attest that Roan is one big heifer.
Oddly, Roadside America makes no mention of the taxidermists’ dream challenge – a two headed calf born in 2002. It was in a word creepy. Its eyes seemed to follow me about the room… admittedly there were four of them but still, super creepy.
Before leaving Montana behind, I stopped for a road soda. I know that’s usually code for a beer but I actually mean a Diet Coke soda for the road. I found this store amazing. There’s great truth in their advertising. I mean, what more do you need after those three things?
Tomorrow: Wait for it… Bowman, ND!
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Quick side note: one of my few criticisms of. Mainly Marathons is that we don’t play the national anthem before the race. I get it as we are usually starting at times and in areas where local residents are still asleep. And yet there’s a bit of, “but I like when we play the national anthem before the event.” While we didn’t play the anthem, Daniel did hold a moment of silence in remembrance of September 11, 2001. Sixteen years have passed and there’s still a hole in our hearts and souls. Not just for Americans, but the world. The best thing to do these days I think is to honor the fallen and strive to make the world better for all.
Final side note: Mom weathered the weather of Hurricane Irma. It was a stressful night and there’s a long way to recovery for those that weren’t so lucky. But I’m selfishly super glad Mom is ok. Love you, Mom!