smpankowski
Cool Runner |
 posted Oct-07-2007 07:23 PM
   
This is the best time of year to race. Period. There’s a lot of breath taking events to choose from. The Hartwick Pines, Mackinac Island 1/2, the Vasa Trail 25K, etc. The Betsie Valley Harvest festival added two races to their annual celebration. A 10K and a 1/2HM. Since it’s close to home, it became the race of choice for October. Since the race was on a Sunday, DW, DS and I went to Church last night. I only had one check, so when we made out our donation, I wrote it for over our normal contribution in order to cover the race. When the basket was passed, I simply took out enough to cover the race. Then I remembered we needed gas and took out enough to fill the tank…Oh and a new Batman movie is due out in 2008 and we’d want to see that. I’m sure we would go see the matinee, so I wasn’t greedy. I remembered that we were out of ice cream too when one of the bouncers…I mean ushers tapped my shoulder and said “You better hit the road buddy”. I looked at my watch and he was right!!!! It was time to carbo load! They look out for me there. Race day had us out the door at 7:30 and DS got to practice driving in the fog. Rodney and his DW, Kathy were there. We ran into Mary, sans her brother Nick. He got popped in the knee during football. Nick’s 16 and Mary is 13 or 14. Every event they are in, they place. They’re moving to Wyoming by the end of the month and it’s going to be a shame not to watch them grow into the sport. I told DS, if she was 2 years older, I’d make him go out with her. John was there. It’s his last LR before the Detroit Marathon. He was mentioned in the October issue of “Flex” magazine. There were porta johns a plenty provided by “Yer In Time”. Just being around them made my eyes all watery. I’m sentimental like that. Fashion Report: Ribbed Batman tank top, black shorts, off white socks and off white Asics. The starting pistol had us all off and running just after 9:00. Normally, in October, it may have just started warming up around that time. Today it was a little toasty. Before the race even started, we were sweating. With in two minutes of the start, we passed our first of 9 porta johns. The first three miles were on country highway with long but gentle hills. The leaves on the trees were turning and illuminated the country side. Mile three had us turn down a rails-to-trails gravel path. John and I were keeping each other’s pace until the half way point and then he took off. I was running out of steam. It was lack of training. Runs have been hit and miss and I knew this one would be work. If a good work out wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t be a runner.
There were parts of the trail were it was a techno color canopy. An occasional breeze would let loose a new cascade of fall’s glory and leaves would whisper to the ground. There were several spots to pick late summer’s berries. Two wooden stair systems going down the old rail road grade to small ponds each side of the trail. DW and I will be going back. After crossing a wooden bridge over the Betsie River, (And I didn’t stop to look down on the water), the trail went back to country road. I was really happy to see the 11 mile marker. Then, three minutes later, I saw it again. I wasn’t so happy. The first one was two arrows and it looked like an “11”. Other racers said as much so don’t read this like I may be nuts. At mile 12 there was an aid station and “Yer in Time” had their deluxe “European” porta john. For sentimental reasons, I stopped in. While sitting there in though, I recognized familiar handwriting and saw my old phone number. I couldn’t wait to tell Mrs.P! It’s funny how a simple act can change your life for ever. The end of the race came at a good time. Mrs P was waiting for me and DS was in the van listening to the radio. 2:16:47. Mary, in the 10K was 1st female OA. Rodney took second in his AG. John had 1st in his AG. I’ll look up my results later. After the race DW, DS and I went to A&W for lunch and root beer. When we got home, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was a “European” porta john in our front yard. I pulled DW close to me and held her tight as DS rejoiced, “Please tell me I’m adopted!!! Please!! Please!!”.
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Have Fartlek - Will Travel, SteveP
My User Profile [This message has been edited by smpankowski (edited Oct-07-2007).]
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mdmccat
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-09-2007 12:04 AM
Dude, I saw you there! I too ran the half, what a great race and great report. I even mentioned to my buddy that your shirt was cool, he agreed.I to was bummed out when I saw the 11 mile marker only to realize as I got closer that is was just two arrows! ARRRGGGHHH. It was HOT and I was more than ready for the 11 mile marker. Did like the fact that there were plenty of water stations and the lady by the "FIRST" 11 mile marker with a hose was refreshing! Email me if you ever want to go for a run. Nice Job! ------------------
Me
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