OK, I’m lame. Two weeks for a race review? I’ve already given myself 20 lashings with a wet noodle to compensate for my lack of writing. Without further ado…here it is.

For a smaller city race, Fargo knows how to put a race together. With the Fargodome serving as a staging area for all the race participants, the nearing inclement weather wasn’t a problem pre-race. Thousands of runners were allowed full access to stretch, warm up and dress accordingly with the safe confines of the North Dakota State Bison football field (as a huge fan, this was pretty cool).

I do have to admit that this was the first race I’ve ever participated in where the shorter distances went out first. The 10K starting things off, followed by the half and then full marathons. Each course was a little different but I have to imagine that the faster marathoners had to have run into some slower half marathoner traffic that probably wasn’t welcome.

Anyway, just as the 10K set off, a light rain started. With temperatures in the high 50º’s/low 60º’s, the start was a little cold. Knowing that after the first mile that I’d warm up, it didn’t change into my long sleeve shirt – and I’m glad I didn’t. The rain was awesome once we got started. Besides the pools of water that were stepped in I would have been grateful if we would have had it with us the whole way. High temperatures were initially predicted and this was just what the doctor ordered!!!

With over 6,000 half marathoners, the start wasn’t bad as I thought it was going to be. There were no timing corrals but everything was orderly and my sister and I only need about 2 1/2 minutes to cross the starting line. While neither of us was expecting to really put any real speed into the day, it was obvious after a mile and a half that I was feeling really good. My sister coming off a cold and hampered training, had told me from the onset that if I wanted to go…GO!!! In other words…Run Mother F’er Run!!! So after 1 1/2 miles, I stepped up my pace to around 8:00/mi. to see what would happen.

If you’ve never been to Fargo, it’s really quite quaint. I never really realized it growing up there but the older established neighborhoods with their circa 1940′s architecture and tree canopied streets makes for a great race route. Winding thru north Fargo streets, the half marathon route found it’s way to the 1st avenue bridge that leads across the Red River over to Moorhead, Minnesota. The bridge isn’t that steep so it made for a fairly scenic point in the race. At least the Red wasn’t flooding the route this year…but the rain was. After making a loop thru Moorhead we exited onto the Main Ave. Bridge (that’s a painting of it on the medal). I hadn’t been on that bridge since the 9/11 memorial and it really is eye pleasing. I actually read the pillars as I passed.

As we continued south, we started entering my “neck of the woods.” I grew up on these same streets and many of our family and friends lived/used to live on these same streets. South 8th and 9th Streets were easily the highlight of my race. While I was fairly zoned in, the amount of people that lined these streets was awesome. Even in the trying weather, thousands turned out cheering on the runners, young and old alike. These two streets are completed canopied with trees. It’s like looking down the nave of an immense church that stretches for as long as the eye can see.

My family staked their roots in downtown Fargo (where the route passed twice). My dad, always in character, had his duck call (yes duck call) in full force. If that wasn’t enough to help me target them, having my 6′-9″ cousin as a landmark was the nail in the coffin. Sorry, but your not going to miss “Big Dave.”

By the time I passed them for the final time around mile 10, my pace was starting to take it’s toll. I had my training interrupted by a late injury and didn’t get to pace out a longer run at 8:30/mi. With only 3 miles left and a 2 minute cushion to set a PR, I knew I’d have to gut this one out. I walked the water station and crest of a hill and then pulled on the boot straps for my final push.

The crowds around the Fargodome for the finish were great. You literally ran thru a 1/4 mile of people 5 deep on either side. Of course my family had found their way to the dome and were positioned right at the turn towards the entrance to the finish. Words of encouragement? Heck no!!! There was my dad yelling at me to get my ass moving!!! By now, I was 2 1/2 minutes under my 2 hour PR. While I knew that, they had no idea.

Entering the Fargodome for the finish was exhilarating. All of those runners and family members before me had filled the stands and it seemed to be one consistent roar from the crowds. With another gear now in place, I looked towards the finish to see the official time reading 1:59:42. There’s something to be said for a clock because there was no way I was going to let that clock hit 2 hours before I crossed the finish line.

Now I don’t know if the dome interfered with my Garmin or if some supernatural thing happened that overcast morning in Fargo but I took off. I know I’ve never run that fast in my life but I nearly hit 15 m.p.h. on that home stretch and crossed the finish line at exactly 1:59:59. If you look at the photo closely below, I’m actually cheering (freakin’ dork). I’ve honestly never had that look on my face crossing a finish line…EVER!!!

My chip time was 1:57:25. A PR by over 3 minutes. Go Far…Go Fast…Go Fargo!!!

I may be a little biased and I’d love to hear from other runners what they thought of the race but this was by far my best race experience (with running thru Angel Stadium a close second). While it’s quite a ways to travel for a race, I’m pretty confident that this will become an annual race for my family and I. Next time though it will be the full marathon for sure!!!

RMFR

It’s been over a week now and I’ve had time to reflect on what happened. Being able to run (and walk) with my parents, sister and grandmother was one of my coolest running experiences to date.

After flying, driving and running to get to Fargo for the 5K I figured the worst was past me and could finally look forward to actually running a race. The weather was great for a Friday evening and the atmosphere was electric. The organizers of the Fargo Marathon rescheduled the 5K so more people could attend the race. Attend they did!!! Looking at the starting corral, I’d say the organizers were a little overwhelmed with over 5,000 runners cramming into the street. Organized, it was not.

We settled in towards the back of the masses. If it weren’t for my father aimlessly wondering off (he’s 64 and it happens a lot), we may have been able to leave some of the walkers behind us. It didn’t take long for everybody to get going but the amount of people you had to navigate around was crazy. I wanted my dad to be able to settle into his pace but half the time was spent trying to open holes and create a way through. The crazy part was that all the way to the finish, it was the same. The crowds never let up!!!

For my sister and I, running with our parents was special. Our dad, once a fellow running maniac, worked with a trainer to overcome his many ailments to run this race. Our mother as well had trained but physically didn’t have as many obstacles to overcome. We finally settled into 12 minute miles and crossed in just over 36 minutes. I had told them from the beginning that we could walk if they needed to if anything came up and was actually amazed that they ran the whole thing!!!

Once we finished and hugs were dispersed, my mother and I went back out on the course to find my 84 year old grandmother. Upon hearing that the family was participating in the 5K, she immediately signed up. In my eyes, she’s always been a physical specimen. Despite her age, she’s always been active in golf and tennis. When she used to winter in Arizona, she had to join leagues with women 10-20 years younger than herself for some “competition.” We found her about a 3/4 mile from the finish walking with her friends. The entire time walking with her, the phrase that kept coming up was “Ya know…I can walk faster.” Crossing the finish line the second time (which screwed up my timing chip) we were met by the rest of our friends and family and my niece and nephew joined up with us on the course.

I know it’s not much of a “Race Review” but this wasn’t about the race run on this day. This race was the effort put in by us all for that one day we could all run together as one. I’m hoping to make this a yearly journey but if we don’t get to run again ever…I know we’ve had our moment in the sun!!!

RMFR

What started out as a desperate situation in the Denver International Airport turned into one of the coolest running experiences I’ve ever had. This is the story of how three strangers joined forces to get to Fargo, North Dakota at any and all costs.

Our flights left early Friday morning from three separate airports. While all were short in length, the anticipation of flying to a marathon destination made minutes turn into hours. Upon landing, the connecting flight to Fargo had to be found. Finding the departure board was the first thing on all our minds and being runners, the distance would between gates could easily be reached, no matter the time constraints. Scanning the sea of on time flights, fate would have it that the flight to Fargo was not just delayed…but canceled.

On any other day, this would be considered an inconvenience but today, it was as disaster. With the 5K scheduled for later that evening, every attempt was going to be made to toe the line when the gun sounded. Nothing was going to keep these three strangers from making their destination…no matter what.

Separately, we all made it to the now canceled gate and eventually the United (yes I’m calling you out) Customer Service counter. As fate would have it, we all ended up at the smaller counter and not the mile long line we would encounter on the way to our eventual destination. The funny thing about being a runner is we can sniff each other out. Whether its the physique, the apparel or even the reading material, we know who we are. While standing in line, we found each other and instantly started formalizing a rudimentary plan. OK, to be honest, we didn’t have a plan – we winged it. While the agent proceeded to tell us we were booked on the first flight out Saturday morning, the wheels set into motion.

Us: “Can you get us to Grand Forks, ND.”
Them: “No available seats.”
Us: “How about Bismarck, ND.”
Them: “Not until later tonight and there might not be seats available.”
Us: “Minneapolis then Fargo!!!”
Them: “There are no seats available to Fargo from any city today.”

By this time, we started joining forces and racked our brains to come up with a city we could fly into and then drive to Fargo in time for the evening’s race.

Us: “Sioux Falls, SD.”
Them: “Oh, well yes, we have plenty of seats to Sioux Falls.”

Before the agent could even finish saying “yes” we had already slammed our tickets on the counter and had her book us seats immediately. Once we had the third member of “Team Fate” on the flight, we began to figure out how in the world we were going to traverse the 250 miles to Fargo. As luck would have it (there was a lot of luck flowing that Friday), one member of our running trio had enough points to reserve a car in Sioux Falls and it would be waiting for us when we arrived.

So here we were. Three runners who never knew the others existed being brought together by a higher power to share a running story that will not soon be forgotten.

Eric Selvig from Las Vegas – a running brain flying to his hometown to run with his family and looking to refuel his spiritual tank.

Dan Harbeke from South Jordan, Utah – a PR Director for Union Pacific going back home to run in his third Fargo Marathon.

Jeff Schiller from Nampa, Idaho – a CPA with his legs set on running marathons in 50 states (Fargo would be his 27th) who had the best line of the trip. “If you can’t get me there today, send me home.”

Not seated together on the flight to Sioux Falls, we still really had no idea who each other were but that was about to change. The 3 1/2 hour drive to Fargo could have been 30 minutes and I don’t think any of us would have known the difference. For as bad as the day looked when we all arrived in Denver, the drive was one for the running books.

We shared a common bond – running – and each had a story to tell (or ten). For every story and factoid there was another just as interesting around the bend. There were no awkward silences. We talked over each other and bit our tongues waiting for our turn to chime in. It was the most intense conversation I think I’ve ever been involved in. Jeff and Dan knew the same people. Dan and I shared home town experiences. We quizzed Jeff about Boston, New York and his goal of 50 states. Running strides, shoes and motivations. Diets, clothes and weather conditions. What we shared wasn’t personal (in fact I had to do some searching write this story), but it was a passion for running that can be found on the streets, trails and races all around the world. It’s the bond of the runner that turns complete strangers into comrades. Our paths may not cross again but I consider them both friends.

God works in mysterious ways. I can’t speak for the others but my soul needed a lift and it was provided to me tenfold. I never could have planned this to happen but thank God it did.

Our paths did cross once more after the weekend was over. I saw Jeff on the late local news being interviewed after the race and happened to be on the same flight with Dan on Sunday, flying back to Denver…where this wonderful journey all began.

RMFR

For the past several months I’ve been down. Through injuries, work and everyday stresses…I’m spent emotionally. I haven’t had the same enthusiasm and passion for running as I normally do and the proof is right here on the blog. The longer in between posts, the worse it is. When things are normal, I have more drafts ready to go out then I have time to write.

This weekend, I’m hoping the tide will turn. I’ll be heading up north to Fargo, North Dakota to participate in the Fargo Marathon Weekend. I’m going back home to run on the streets I once called home and I hope it’s just what the doctor ordered…a hit of passion. There are family and friends running in every distance (5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon) and the social aspect of running should be at an all time high. Friends I haven’t seen in 15 years. Family I haven’t seen in 5.

This weekend will also mark the first time I will get to run with my father since I’ve started running. Growing up, he was a maniac before there was an official club. He’s enlisted the help of a trainer to help him work thru his injuries to run a 5K. It won’t get any better than that until the roles are reversed and my kids come back to run with me. I’ll also be running with my sister, her husband, a great friend and my 86 year old grandmother (OK, she’ll be walking but I be right there by her side). That covers Friday.

Saturday will be the half marathon where I hope to overcome all my injuries from the year to let my hair down and let it all hang out. Add into the mix 20 or so family members and you’ve got emotions to the nth degree. If this weekend doesn’t lift my spirits, I either dead or lost.

Here’s to a weekend full of emotion and a recharged battery!!!

RMFR

Well, we’re less than 4 weeks out from the Fargo Marathon and our Fargo Fitness Challenge on Facebook has been a great success. While we hit 70 fans and at least 32 confirmed runners, I have a feeling that it’s impact is going to be much larger than that.

Let’s just take a look at my immediate family for an example. The Selvig clan has slowly grown into a running family. My father was a runner before the boom and as a result, is a little broken down. His running has been limited (by physicians, not him) but has sought the help of a trainer and will running the 5K. While it took a little work on my dad, my mom was “gung ho” from the beginning. She’s always been in shape and a dare anybody to stick with her exercise schedule. My sister and brother-in-law will be running the 5K and 1/2 marathon with me and I talked my cousin and his wife to join the family reunion run. Now, to top it off…my 85 year old grandmother wants to walk the 5K. 85!!!

Side note: there will be over 20 people staying at my parents place that weekend!!!

For those of you that lost count, thats 8 fair-skinned Norwegians that will be hitting the streets of Fargo, ND – all in the name of fitness and health. It didn’t take a whole lot of encouragement. It was more infectious than anything. People get excited if your truly excited and motivated to do something.

Sometimes we keep to ourselves because we don’t want to drown a conversation with our running stories. I challenge you to dangle the bait the next time your in a group of nonrunners and see who takes the bait. You never know whose life you could change by introducing them to running.

RMFR

I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about the Fargo Fitness Challenge. What started out as an offer to come run the Fargo Marathon May 21/22 has blossomed into a movement to get people active and running.

Yes, Fargo is in North Dakota. No, buffalo still don’t roam free. Yes there is electricity. No, the movie Fargo was not actually filmed in Fargo (go figure). Yes, it’s flat. I mean REALLY flat!!!

It all started in November when my good friend Heidi asked if I’d like to come run in one of the Fargo Marathon events with her. She was a runner back in high school and was quite an elite level at one time until being derailed by back surgery (which has prevented her from running) and taking time to start a family. After 10 years, she was ready to give running (and her back) another shot. With my sister already committed to running, I had to finally stop waffling and sign my name to the dotted line.

So now I was running Fargo (my home town) but spiritually, I really needed more. I’ve really been in a slump lately and I needed to stoke the fires. Heidi and I spoke one Saturday and came up with an idea. What if we tried to inspire others to run/walk with us. Not just runners…but friends, family, neighbors, kids and acquaintances who might need a nudge (or push) to get active and back on the healthy track. There’s nothing better than having others there by your side encouraging, helping and challenging you every step of the way.

So that’s where we are friends. In the first week, we already have over 35 people on our Facebook page and another 11 people confirmed participating in one of the weekend events (5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon or Full Marathon). My running spirits couldn’t be higher and those that I’ve spoken to are equally inspired. With around 100 days remaining until the event, I’d like to officially challenge you to join us in Fargo, May 21 and May 22. Click the link below to go to our Facebook page and join the movement. Can’t make it to Fargo? Pass this along and help be a part of something I think is going to be pretty great.

The Fargo Fitness Challenge Facebook Page

RMFR

I grew up in Fargo, North Dakota (yes, you can now mark that one off your list) and I have tons of great memories of that place. Looking back, I’ve come to realize I have more than typical childhood memories of that time but ones that relate back to running – even though I loathed it at the time. Other than my dad being a runner (before running was cool – read more), running really wasn’t on my mind. Where am I going with this? I’m getting there…

Driving around town, there was this woman. Not just any woman, this one was special. We named her “The Crazy Walker.” I mean you would see this woman EVERYWHERE!!! Fargo’s not as small as you’d think. It’s really spread out. In the morning you would see this woman on the south side of town and then later in the day she’d be all the way on the north side. Just the distance she walked would be enough to tag her “crazy” but there was more. She had the strangest gait you’ve ever seen. If memory serves me right it included frenzied arms, a full body tilt and head that wobbled like a bobble head.

I haven’t thought about her in decades until I was watching the ING New York City Marathon. After they announced Abdi Abdirahman at the starting line and mentioned his nickname, The Black Cactus. I love that nickname!!! That got me thinking about running nicknames and I decided I want one!!! Now I’m sure the cars I pass on the same route at the same time have developed nicknames for me and I’d be honored to carry the crazy name into the next generation. LONG RUN CRAZY BEARDED RUNNING GUY!!!

RMFR