Cool Running :: Mesick Mushroom River Run 5K RR

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Mesick Mushroom River Run 5K RR

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Author	Topic: Mesick Mushroom River Run 5K RR
smpankowski Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 07:10 AM Mesick, MI is a little crossroad town. Just quaint as all get out. The race is to celebrate the elusive morel. It's through a campground. Is part paved and part trail. I've wanted to race this course for ages; however, I'd usually been working out of town. I've got a new life today. DW and I arrived at the course 45 min before start time. The temp was in the low 50's, the sky clear and no wind. Sweet. Since it was a fundraiser for the local cross country team, there were a lot of teens there. A little girl (5 or 6 years old) in pig tails was selling packs of GU to raise money for kidney transplants on homeless bunnies. HHhhmmmm, what would fellow Boomers do?? Ribs has shown me the evils of GU and I've seen first hand in movies what rabbits are capable of. After explaining a few facts to the young lady, she ran a way in tears. "What a lucky girl," I thought. With years of therapy, she'll be just fine. I looked down and saw a small pile of money the girl had raised and it pulled at my heart strings. It was just enough for the racing fees. I got choked up myself. It must have been a sign. DW and I saw a few friends. 10 min. before the start, I slipped to the lake shore for quiet meditation and stretching. 5K races have intimidated me. By the time I've warmed up, the race is over. Time for a plan "B". Hit it hard from the get go and do a series of fartleks. There were 73 registered racers at the start, a new record for this event. I was bib 21. Out of all the runners, I was the only on in a Batman tank top. Sigh. Two shirts I liked: "I run like a girl. Try and keep up", and "Running won't kill you. You'll loose consciousness first". As we lined up for the start, I scampered back to DW for a quick kiss. This time I started in the middle of the pack instead of the back. A starter's pistol popped and we were off. The first mile was flat, paved and fast along mature pines. We were directed through a wide and rough trail. This is my idea of a good time. We had to watch where each foot fell. There were numerous lady slippers (orchids) wanting to come into bloom. I may be going back for a walk with DW. There was a quick reminder not to get distracted and the pace got picked up a bit. The course was well marked and well attended. There was only one hill. It was a down hill!!! Very steep. We were cautioned to walk down the hill as there were lots of roots. A young man needed was starting to loose heart. WWSRD?. I shouted words of encouragement, did not befriend him, and left him in the dust. The teen did pick up the pace. The last mile was again along pavement and we could smell the campfires of early risers...mmmmm...Bacon...I passed a man in the next AG down really sucking wind and passed him. Then two girls passed me. I looked across the woods to the lake and saw my lovely wife and heard her call my name. As the last turn came into view, I hit it hard as I could. When I saw the finish line, I hit it harder. 5K....23:13. My best time since getting pins in my ankle. So, a new PR. Sweet. 24th OA. Did not place in AG. Not too worried about it. DW and I met Chuck, Nick, Mary and Zoë. We'll see them at other events. We may meet Chuck here. Boomers, I could not have done it with out your advice, wisdom and support. ------------------ Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile [This message has been edited by smpankowski (edited May-13-2007).] IP: Logged
hermosaboy Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 12:08 PM Nice race Steve. I especially liked how you funded your entry fee... IP: Logged
dshclio Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 01:21 PM good job steve I don't know if I can keep up with you at Bay shore,great time see you in two weeks. marathon derrick ------------------ IP: Logged
runrgrl1 Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 01:25 PM Good job! I've never heard of that race and I live in Michigan, too. Huh! I like those tee-shirt slogans, too, very cute . ------------------ "It's never too late to be what you might have been." IP: Logged
MarkGuy Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 01:30 PM Steve, that's a great time. That's what you get for going out hard. Entertaining report, but you left out the most important part: How many mushrooms did you find (and of course, where)? Mark IP: Logged
Spareribs Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 01:49 PM It's even better than a normal PR given that terrain. You lose the ability to just let your legs extend and get on a rhythmic pace, so you really ran well in this one. Great report and good job. And you're right about going back there for a walk. Sounds like a beautiful area. Spareribs IP: Logged
Iapetus999 Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 02:22 PM The name of this race makes me want a pizza! Good job! ------------------ -Andy Competing in 5Ks IP: Logged
tomwhite Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 03:04 PM .......nice running//........the Casaulty Rate seems unusually high for most 5-K's.....glad you survived it...... ......loved the ''Running won't Kill You'' Shirt Thing......... [This message has been edited by tomwhite (edited May-13-2007).] IP: Logged
ksrunr Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 03:17 PM Pins in the ankle? What people won't do for a new PR? Nice report and run SteveP. ksrunr IP: Logged
smpankowski Cool Runner	posted May-13-2007 06:54 PM quote: Originally posted by runrgrl1: Good job! I've never heard of that race and I live in Michigan, too. Huh! I've been in the area 6 years. This year they organizers boasted a record 73 entrants. It looks like it's only promoted locally. There is room for growth. ------------------ Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile IP: Logged
rochrunner Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 09:33 AM Steve, I have heard of the Mesick Mushroom Festival, but didn't know there was a 5K along with it. A great job to get a PR on what sounds like a true trail race -- imagine what you'd do on a hard, flat course. By the way, do you think the name of the town comes from what happens if you pick the wrong mushrooms? ------------------ - Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner IP: Logged
bobscamman Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 09:40 AM Steve: Nice job on what looks to be a particulary challenging course. And what's with the pins? Is that a new technique for getting PR's or what? Seriously you did a great job and that is really a great time. ------------------ My User Profile "Keep on Running" Bob IP: Logged
mariposai Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 09:47 AM Great race report, specially about the downhill part and the WWSRD mental quest. It is funny, I also had the same mental quest yesterday as I saw a runner vomiting in the middle of the road. I also asked WWSRD...You can guess what I did. Congratulations on your placement. You are well on the road of recovery and many more PRs. ------------------ "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift." Prefontaine IP: Logged
rosecoloredglasses Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 10:21 AM Steve, you crack me up! (thank you) Congratulations on your mushroom run and post pin personal best! (We've all been tormented by the question WWSRD? In fact, now, when we go shopping for running apparel, the r.s. even asks, "WWSRW?") IP: Logged
tselbs Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 10:46 AM Thanks for the fun to read report, Steve. It sure sounds like an enjoyable race small, with friends, the smell of breakfast from the campground, and a PR. I have heard of Mesick. Years ago, I visited a friends family in Manton (about 15 miles east) and his folks had half a grocery bag of Morels. For breakfast we had scrambled eggs loaded with Morels. Delicious. Congrats on a good race and a good time. TomS ------------------ My Profile IP: Logged
La Tortuga Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 11:04 AM Bunnies, pins and bacon - that about says it all - greta race!!! IP: Logged
Ileneforward Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 11:35 AM You had me at 'mmmm, Bacon!!'. I am somewhat sceptical of your race reports now though, call me cynical, but how does a bunny sign a consent form to donate a kidney? No mushrooms were ingested prior to this race were there? I love the batman tank top and I am shocked you were the only one wearing one. Oh yes, excellent finish time, congratulations on the new PR! IP: Logged
pfriese Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 11:57 AM Great report and congrats on your PR. Paul IP: Logged
smpankowski Cool Runner	posted May-14-2007 05:45 PM quote: Originally posted by bobscamman: Steve: what's with the pins? Is that a new technique for getting PR's or what? Seriously you did a great job and that is really a great time. 10 years ago I showed some one the correct way to jump an 8ft chain link fence and look kewl doing it. I lost points on the landing. Broke and dislocted my right ankle. It hurts most days and it hasn't hlped my times. I quit doing my own stunts...well some of my own stunts...I at least think about it first.....A little....I did quit drinking though. My posts while under the influence were strange. ------------------ Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile IP: Logged
Canfit Cool Runner	posted May-15-2007 08:59 AM Great race, Steve! I enjoy your RRs and sense of humour. Continued good running! My dad hopped a chain link fence many years ago. He was retrieving a pool beach ball that had gone into a neighbour's yard. What he didn't know was that the neighbour's yard was 2-3 feet lower than the one he was in. He wasn't prepared for the fall and broke his ankle in the process. He, like you, stopped jumping fences from that point on. PJ [This message has been edited by Canfit (edited May-16-2007).] IP: Logged
kameele Cool Runner	posted May-15-2007 04:00 PM Great race, Steve--any petrosky (sp?) stones along the trail? I hate to think how you get girl scout cookies. IP: Logged
millbot Cool Runner	posted May-16-2007 10:01 AM Nice racing SteveP. Sounds like a great event. Thanks for the interesting report, and kudos for your model B&B comportment. IP: Logged
bobscamman Cool Runner	posted May-16-2007 11:06 AM Steve: Thanks for the explanation - OUCH! Good move to stop doing your own stunts...at least most of them anyways! My biggest worry when I started running was how my back would hold up...(hit by a drunk driver in 1982 and broke it, spinal fusion and many months in a body cast)...it has held up quite well and has actually yet to cause me a problem while running. (I hope I didn't jinx myself). ------------------ My User Profile "Keep on Running" Bob IP: Logged
jdmom3 Cool Runner	posted May-16-2007 02:36 PM Note to self: never miss a race report by Steve. Great report Steve, as usual. Congratulations on a post-pin PR and a terrific run on what sounds like a beautiful course. Meg IP: Logged
hollys4874 Cool Runner	posted May-18-2007 01:12 PM Steve – I love your reports! Congrats on the PR and thanks for yet another smile… ------------------ Holly IP: Logged

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