| Author |
Topic: The Boomers Came to Knoxville....RR |
piejones
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-02-2007 05:47 PM
   
Okay, I'll actually do a report for this one since it was a boomer meetng and thus qualifies as special. Sorry for the length, but it's hard to compress so many fun moments over a weekend.What a nice weekend it was. Great fun and great company all around. And a pleasant little run thrown in on top. Meeting up with Jim and Vicki, Tomwhite and Pickles, Vista, Munchkn and Steve was a distinct pleasure. The dinner on Saturday night was so very enjoyable. Such nice people. I do have a small confession to make.....I was a bit concerned that tomwhite might wear his see-through shirt to dinner, so I tipped the restaurant off that they might want to seat us in an area where that wouldn't cause a public disturbance. They followed instructions to the letter, and we couldn't have been in a more private area if they had seated us in the parking lot out back. Luckily for everyone, except maybe Pickles, tomwhite opted for his red coolrunning shirt instead. "whew" As pointed out by others, the race day weather was not a chamber of commerce banner day. Daylight saving time came several weeks earlier than usual this year, and the race starting time stayed the same. That meant a start in the dark. Normally not a problem, but with heavy monsoon type black clouds adding to the picture, it just painted a gloomy starting line scene. Luckily, once the initial downpour had stopped, it wasn't bad for running. Having some dogwoods and flowers in bloom along the course at least brought a little color into play. The weather did keep spectators away compared to past years, but the ones out there braving the elements were vocal and enthusiastic. It was much appreciated. At mile 16 some guy in a bright purple suit and white shoes was offering bloody mary's. I hope his outfit was a costume and not what he had worn to church. When you run slowly, you have more time and oxygen to thank the volunteers and the officers on duty along the route, which is always a good thing. A few weeks ago, the call went out that the race was short on pacers. Having never done a pacer gig, I figured it might be fun The times they needed pacers for were Kenyanish or turtleish, so that just gave me one option. I had a blast. It was a nice run for me and no physical complaints at any point. Neither the rain, the hills, the distance, nor the pain and cramps seemed to discourage the small band of runners that accompanied me along the way. Some signed up at the expo to run with the group, even though a couple of those signed up never showed up race mornng. Some were doing a run/walk thing and met up with me multiple times. Some just fell in along the way. Some were runners I would be passing and because of a little encouragement, they were able to perk up and tag along. Just good friendly conversation and encouragement to keep the miles rolling along. The course routes over bridges across the Tennessee River at miles 19 and 24. Since none of group chose to jump, I figured they were doing okay. I didn't tell them my garmin had a bad satellite link from the start and wasn't functioning well. I tried to reset it a couple of times, but then just turned it off. . I didn't tell them the timex on my other arm just fogged over and died. I kept telling them we were right on pace. I had a pace chart in my back pocket so I knew I was pretty much on track, without having to do many calculations. At the very end I had a couple of folks really struggling. One guy was making those low painful ahhh sounds with each footstrike, but he gutted it out like a trooper. As we approached the stadium entrance, one of my guys got a bad calf cramp and had to pull up. So, I stopped with him, and got him stretching against the barricade. A race volunteer walked over and said. "hey guys, need help trying to push this thing over or something." That even brought a smile to the runners face, and he said, "let's do it." So we jogged on into the stadium and finished that run off in style. I was so busy checking to make sure he was running okay that I didn't even look up at the clock. Afterward, I found out we finished just over 2 minutes ahead of pace. I was pleased to be that close to the target, and knowing the others that ran with me and finished just ahead had met their goals as well. The high fives, handshakes, and hugs at the finish were nicer than any medal. Definitely a job I'd do again. Good to see that Vista had a nice run and his heart is still ticking. I just think he's wearing that heart monitor strap too tight. Jim must have felt pretty darn good to run as well as he did on this hilly course, while just taking it easy. He's primed for that BQ effort and I think he'll get it. Tomwhite just had an excellent outing while finishing with all his runnng parts in working order. I'm anxious to see how Munchkn and Vicki fared with their hilly adventure. I hope everybody had half as much fun as I did. pie....aka Terry....................that's Greg to you tomwhite
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 06:03 PM
Fabulous, what a great report Terry/Greg, uh, piejones.  I would have you for a pacer any day. Thanks for doing this and for organizing a great boomer meeting too.
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choover
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 06:17 PM
Terry....Greg....Terry...it's all good... That Tomwhite.. we can dress him up but can't take him any where...PJ, nice job being the pacer -- I'm sure those folks will always remember your help and encouragement. And you even brought them home early despite the technical difficulties! A great report of a great weekend with Boomer friends. Now all we need is a few photos ------------------
choover
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 06:25 PM
A great report to go with the others from Knoxville. It sounds like a good boomer get together. You did a good job as a pacer and it sounds like you enjoyed yourself. Congratulations.TomS ------------------
My Profile
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 06:38 PM
Thanks again Pie....for all you did while we were in Knoxville.That is an interesting report of the bonding that happens with the pace leader and his/her runners. By the way......did you see the one Kenyan-type that sprinted through the field after about four miles in? He was motoring when he went by me out on Kingston Pike. I made the comment to those around me that perhaps he was on the second lap of the Marathon. ------------------
vista129
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mariposai
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 06:39 PM
Piejones-would you come to Eugene at the end of this month and pace for some of us too? I dream in having a gentel soul like you as a pacer.
Great race report.
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Sans Souci
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 06:40 PM
So the Pastrython was a success! You're a good man, piejones. I'm guessing they didn't outfit you in clogs or clown shoes, so that's a bonus. No sandwich sign either. Also good. Did you celebrate with pie, pie ... or Terry Terry Greg Greg?
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 06:45 PM
piejones, terrific report! That was quite a boomer meeting in Knoxville. Glad you all had such a good time. Congrats on helping your crew to meet their goals. cj
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tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 06:59 PM
........Hilarious//.........Greg, we wouldn'tve missed it for The World......
............great RR.......
.................now, About That ''Shirt Thing'',,,,,,,,
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hally
Moderator of Boomers and Beyond |
posted Apr-02-2007 07:19 PM
OK, now I am totally confused as to who the heck Greg is.
Anyway this was a great report, what a fantastic thing to do. It definitely sounds like it was well worth the experience to you and to the folks who ran with you.Like Choovie I think this thread is worthless without pictures!!
Barb
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ole Dirty
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 08:24 PM
PieSounds like an awsome time with Boomer freinds. Thanks for the RR Great job!
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runningindc
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 08:27 PM
Pie, great RR and it sounds like so much fun. Can I join you next year and will you pace me? (ok, so you won't go thaatttt slow, its ok)------------------
Running in wellness Liz Lizs Profile
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littlerockgm
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 08:58 PM
Vicki and I could not have felt more welcomed in Knoxville even if our DD did not live there, and it is mostly because of your great southern charm and effort. Thank you piejones, you helped make our weekend great. I am sorry I didn't stay around to cheer you in; with the mixture of rain and sweat I was smelling a lot like the gorilla cages at the zoo and opted to get to the appartment for a most needed shower rather than continue to antagonize the wonderful locals who were there. Vicki finished great and had a good time....no RR for her but we'll get back for another in your neck of the woods soon.Good running Piejones,
Jim
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munchkn883
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 08:58 PM
Pie -- Thanks for everything. We had a great time and are looking forward to doing it again next year! Steve may even do the 5K!!
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piejones
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 09:42 PM
Thanks allVista......that would have been the guy with bib number 5. I wondered about that myself because he was flying when he passed me. I figured a long bathroom stop might have sidelined him. But, this morning's paper had a mention about him being late for the race start. Sounds just like the Seinfeld episode with the marathon runner from Trinidad and Tobago. mariposai.....Eugene sounds like it will be a great race. Maybe I'll get to run it with some boomers one of these days. Have a great time out there this year. SS........no clown shoes, thank goodness, but we did have signs that looked like large pennants. Luckily for us they were light, and proved to be pretty durable. Mine made it the entire way. runningindc.....get on down here and join us next time. We'll get you a pacer that knows what they heck they are doing Jim....Great going. Sure look forward to you and Vicki getting back this way. Munch....Loved the news video footage. Steve did great. See you both next year with Steve in his racing shoes.
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FlyingFinn
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:11 PM
Great report, pie. It's always a pleasure reading about Boomer meetings. Pictures, pictures, pictures...! I am considering a pace group for my May marathon. If I could be assured a pacer as nice as you I would definitely get in a group.
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Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-02-2007 10:15 PM
Pie, that was just darn sweet! Did you get free shoes?
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bobscamman
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 07:48 AM
Way to go PIE, you did a great job of Pacing and had a Boomers Meeting awesome!I am sure that the feeling you got knowing that you helped so many meet their goals was priceless! I loved your RR, I like the longish ones (maybe because I tend to write long ones too) I can really get into them and get more of a feeling for the race itself. Once again, nice job and great RR. ------------------
My User Profile "Keep on Running"
Bob [This message has been edited by bobscamman (edited Apr-03-2007).]
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rosecoloredglasses
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 10:55 AM
Why do I have a hankerin' for some blueberry pie???HEY.
This was SO fun to read! Thanks for writing this: "The course routes over bridges across the Tennessee River at miles 19 and 24. Since none of group chose to jump, I figured they were doing okay."
HA!
And thank you for pacing those Kenyans. You are a good citizen.
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 01:20 PM
What a great report! Each of you who wrote a report on that race captured different details and aspects of it – I love it! You did an awesome job, both as a pacer and a Boomer organizer. As several have mentioned, all that’s missing is the photos (hint, hint).------------------
Holly
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jdmom3
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-03-2007 02:45 PM
Wow, what an awesome report Pie! You are a great writer. How cool that you decided to lead a pace group for this marathon. I think that is something I would really like to try sometime - it sounds very rewarding. And you somehow managed to bring your group across the line and help them meet their goals, even without the aid of even a watch! Amazing!
Meg
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