Wobegon Marathon #4! (May 9, 2026) When I first ran Wobegon Marathon, 4 years ago, they began a series for the next 4 years. A special medal series spelling out W O B E G O N with an image of each of the towns we run through along the course. One for each year, for four years. I thought it was pretty nifty and knew I'd be putting this marathon on my calendar for the next 4 years. That also meant I wouldn't be running Superior 50K for a few years as they take place at, or near, the same time.
Wobegon begins in Holdingford and finishes in St Joseph. It's a very cool little marathon. We are bussed from St Joseph to Holdingford High School, where we can use heated bathrooms and stay warm and dry! It is really a treat.
As I was riding the bus something that has never happened to me happened. I remembered that I had forgotten all of my gels and tailwind in my car. Wow! I could feel this panic come over me. This is what happens when I rush. I rushed from my car for no reason other than the first bus was waiting to drive runners to the start. I knew that there would be other busses coming and that I could catch one of them but once I saw the first bus as I was parking I decided I'd take it. Ugh. No gels. Wow, this was a first. I talked myself down from the high anxiety I was feeling, took a few deep breathes and figured I'd ask someone at the start it they had a gel to spare. Good grief. I really hated to have to do that but what else could I do?
I arrived to the high school, made a bee line for the bathrooms, picked up my bib and looked around for people with gels in their hands or bottles or gels laying around lost. Nope, didn't happen. I didn't see one gel. I just could not muster up the words to ask anyone if they had a spare. I mean, I really needed about 5. I like to start with one, to take one each hour. I knew that one of the aid stations was handing out gels but man, that was at mile 17. OK, moving on.
We sang the star spangled banner, headed out to the track and made a loop before heading out onto the streets which would lead us to the Wobegon Trail.
Honestly, I was totally consumed with thoughts about nutrition. Normally I drink Tailwind before starting and have a gel. Instead I was running on the bagel and banana I had 2 hours earlier. I tried to stop thinking about it and enjoy myself. It was a beautiful cool sunny morning, I was on a course that I enjoyed with like minded people. Time to enjoy, and I did!
The course is a 10 foot wide asphalt trail on a former railroad track. It's smooth and fast. There are pacers available from 3:00 to 6:00 finishes. Aid stations every 2 miles, port a potties along the way. We run through the cities of Holdingford, Avon, Albany and St Joseph.
As I was running along, hitting mile 5, I could see what looked like gels along the course. I had been scoping the trail for gels and so far only littered empties were found, but this looked promising. Bingo! Two Maurten gels just lay there upon the course. There were other runners around me but I still stopped, stooped down and swooped them up! I read the nutritional information, squinting as my 61 year old eyes can barely read without reading glasses, and read that each gel had 40 grams of carb. Woohoo! Saved for a while! I quickly consumed one and tucked the other in my shorts.
I ran into Avon (or Albany?) and saw Brian Woods again, volunteering. I've seen him there each of the 4 years I've run the race. So much fun to see friends along the way! No, I did not ask him if he had a gel, lol!
I hit the half marathon point at 215, just what I'd expected as I haven't trained for speed at all. My 'normal' not training for anything speed is a 430 marathon so that is where I expected to finish.
At 15 miles I consumed the 2nd gel, hoping I'd get another couple at aid station 17 to get me through the race. Well, 17 came along and they were out of gels! They did have THREE small bags of an energy gummy so I asked if I could take the last 3 and she kindly said yes. Thank goodness! I gobbled down a package and went along my way, ready to wrap this up.
Mile 20 and I was starting to feel that low carb running feeling. Ugh. I ate the last two packages of gummy things and just hoped I wouldn't crash hard.
I could hear the finish line, pretty soon I could see it. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, into the finish at 4:29. That would do!
Collecting my finisher medal and the final medal of the 4 for the series, I then walked around, planning on getting some food before I headed for home. I spotted Heidi sitting in the grass with her puppers, Harper. Heidi had finished half an hour before me and was just relaxing in the sun. We visited a bit and then I was on my way. I remembered that I forgot to go to the finishing tent to get some food as I drove home. Man, I'm getting forgetful.
A fun morning and a fun run! I don't think I'll forget nutrition again. But one never knows! We are never too seasoned to make new runner mistakes.
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