Staff report
BOONE — Jerry Lindstrand sure knows how to put the finishing touches on a grueling 26.2-mile footrace.
Shortly after finishing the Grandfathers Mountain Marathon in Boone on Saturday, he and fellow Richmond County friends continued their tradition of a hike to Hebron Falls to bathe in the cool mountain waters. The idea is that the cold water soothes sore muscles and actually stimulates recovery.
Photo by Connie Lindstrand
Jerry Lindstrand, 56, of Rockingham, suffered an injury while hiking shortly after finishing the Grandfathers Mountain Marathon in Boone.
In this case, though, it almost killed him.
“I was climbing boulders up the stream looking for a nice pool of cool water to soak my legs in when I lost my footing and face-planted into the water,” Lindstrand shared with Mangum Track Club members on Facebook.
Lindstrand was unconscious. In water.
“Thankfully, (Rockingham resident) Don Covington was nearby and was able to get me in time and roll me over, holding my face out of the water until I came to. I was pretty bloody and ended with about a dozen stitches and staples.”
The longtime runner suffered a gash on top of his head that required three staples and cuts on his head and above his left eye that required stitches. Lindstrand said he’s now on antibiotics as he has developed an infection in his right lung from aspirating the water.
“It was one hell of an experience and I’m glad to be headed home,” Lindstrand said.
By early Sunday afternoon, Lindstrand was waiting to be discharged from a local hospital.
It was an expected end to an otherwise pleasant adventure. Lindstrand was one of five Richmond County runners to complete the race, which begins at Appalachian State University and winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains, over the Blue Ridge Parkway and up long, steep climbs to McRae Meadows.
Photo by Connie Lindstrand
Jerry Lindstrand doesn’t let his Grandfather Mountain Marathon finisher’s medal stray far, even while sitting still for some stitches and staples.
As he often does, Lindstrand shared his race experience by posting on DailyMile and sharing his status and statistics on Facebook.
“What a great marathon,” said the Grandfathers Mountain Marathon veteran. “This by far is one of my favorites. Not my fastest but very satisfying.”
Lindstrand was third among local finishers. Mark Long, 55, of Hamlet, finished in 185th place among 291 finishers with a time of 4 hours, 42 minutes and 5.1 seconds — a pace of 10:45 per mile. Rosemary Baxley, 51, of Hamlet, was behind him by less than 12 minutes Baxley finished 202nd in 4:53:53.9.
Lindstrand was 204th, in 4:54:20.4, nearly 14 minutes ahead of the 61-year-old Covington (232nd, 5:08:18.5).
Douglas Dawkins, 62, of Rockingham, rounded out the local crew by placing 266th in 5:43:09.4, good for a 13:05 pace.
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