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A Tale of Two Races

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Author	Topic: A Tale of Two Races
La Tortuga Cool Runner	posted Oct-09-2007 09:18 AM It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness… Two races – two very different races – both near and dear to my heart. If they both fall on the same week-end – what to do? Alternate of course. Last year I did neither, this year I would do both. Saturday was the Somerville Homeless Coalition – a local 5K through the very urban streets of Somerville. Conditions were H X 3. I can’t tell you much – it was a 9:00am start and I can’t remember what I wore, but my friends and neighbors were out there and my time was 25:43. Monday was the Tufts 10K a veritable estrogen fest! This race is particularly special, I think, to those of us women who started running many (many, many …) years ago with little support - on the track or for our Coopers ligament! As MaryT mentioned, the race has been run for 31 years. It was originally called the Bonne Belle Mini-Marathon. Although only 200 women had been expected to participate that first year, 2,231 women ran - I really love that!!! This year there were over 7,000 enthusiastic runners. The race is so well organized; runners were seeded, we took off after a few announcements and the national anthem. It was a bit too much for me – getting through my treatments and being able to organize the Shape Up Race, finally getting back to the Tufts race, knowing I would be in Hartford next week and realizing that I was surrounded by 7,000 other women achieving dreams of their own – I cried. The women next to me gave me a little hug and I cried some more. It is hard to cry, hug and run – my first mile was a 10:30 – oops. Okay, enough with the drama and time to run. As Mary so aptly put it; “It starts at the Boston Common, heads over to Cambridge and runs along the Charles River before heading back again. It's flat and fast and has a couple of turnarounds on the Cambridge side of the Charles River so that you can see the elite runners coming back just a few feet away and when you make the turn see the slower runners who are behind you.” The loops allow you to pass basically every runner on the course – those ahead and behind you. To cheer each other on and to really grasp the magnitude of this race. It was an easier race to run then Saturday – a noon start, cooler weather and there were no hills. I got a boost when I saw Henrun along the course – Hi Henry!!! To top it all off El Señor came out to the race with me – he saw me start and finish, we went yarn shopping afterwards and then to the movies – my kind of day! Thanks for reading – I will see some of you in Hartford next week-end! Edited to add my Tufts race time - 53:39 [This message has been edited by La Tortuga (edited Oct-09-2007).] IP: Logged
euphoric Cool Runner	posted Oct-09-2007 09:54 AM You are one great lady. I'm going back to try to find the "worst" in there. IP: Logged
Ileneforward Cool Runner	posted Oct-09-2007 09:57 AM Very nice!! I laughed, I cried, I choked up and smiled. Great report and great running too. Good luck at Hartford, and give mcsolar a big hug from me there. IP: Logged
bigapplepie Cool Runner	posted Oct-09-2007 10:07 AM Nice report. Did you mean wurst? Were there any sausages? IP: Logged
henrun Cool Runner	posted Oct-09-2007 10:59 AM You looked good out there. When you shouted 'Hi Henry' it took me a moment to recognize you. It was fun watching. Marj was in southern N.H. babysitting and I thought it would be a good morning to watch although it was raining when I arrived. See you in Hartford. IP: Logged
Tramps Cool Runner	posted Oct-09-2007 12:27 PM I like your "alternating" strategy. It's great that you have such good races to choose from. You did really well! Congrats. IP: Logged
nowor2 Cool Runner	posted Oct-09-2007 10:05 PM La T, You really do it all and very well too. Great RR. IP: Logged
Econo Cool Runner	posted Oct-09-2007 10:54 PM B&B Fashion Queen La T -- where are the pictures of the Tufts race? I remember when there were Bonne Belle Mini-marathons... Goodness, you seemed to just spring out of your treatments this month and start racing at a breakneck pace! Your 5K and 10K times are both really great! Brava, Brava! IP: Logged
maryt Cool Runner	posted Oct-10-2007 06:31 AM Great job, La T! I didn't have time to go through all the pictures, but you might be able to find yourself here: http://jimrhoades.com/07/tufts/ or here: http://jimrhoades.com/07/tufts2/ IP: Logged
dg9 Cool Runner	posted Oct-10-2007 08:14 AM I hadn't realized the significance of this race, you (& Mary) expressed it well. It's means a lot to be able to share it through you. Seems that support of all kinds has increased amazingly, thanks to the efforts of all of you that paved the way for the rest of us. thanks. Wow. You're really something. You've gone through so much & look how it turned out. Congratulations for 3 great races and for working so hard to get to that point! IP: Logged
Coastwalker Cool Runner	posted Oct-10-2007 08:14 AM Hi LaT, What a weekend: Two entirely different races, including the distance, course, size, weather conditions, and emotions experienced. And you did great in both - congratulations! When do you give yourself a break?? Shape Up Somerville, then the Somerville Homeless Coalition 5K, Tufts 10K, and now on to Hartford! I'm tired just thinking about it! What a woman...! Jay IP: Logged
tselbs Cool Runner	posted Oct-10-2007 02:15 PM Great job in two races that mean a lot to you, LaTortuga. Congratulations. TomS ------------------ My Profile IP: Logged
La Tortuga Cool Runner	posted Oct-10-2007 03:00 PM Thanks for all the thoughtful replies. Henrun I think I may have bellowed out “Henry” loudly enough to scare a few adjacent runners. BAP – you are so right, I meant wurst, not worst. Hills, heat and humidity – just how I like them! Fashion Report – I took a look through the photos and did not see myself. Trust me – I looked a bit like an fruit cream pop – tangerine top, mango shorts topped off with a lemon yellow hat. I may need a wardrobe intervention and fast! Hi Jay! Week off? Oh yeah – I think early November. IP: Logged
Sans Souci Cool Runner	posted Oct-10-2007 03:11 PM quote: Originally posted by La Tortuga: Trust me – I looked a bit like an fruit cream pop – tangerine top, mango shorts topped off with a lemon yellow hat. I may need a wardrobe intervention and fast! Um, nooo, La T. You were the fashion icon talk of P-town last weekend. We all need a little more La T in our wardrobe (and this side of the continent). You have been burning the candle. I know Hartford will be a lot of fun for you, Happy Time. Knit on, fren. IP: Logged
smpankowski Cool Runner	posted Oct-11-2007 06:46 AM What a wonderful way to spend some time. Thanks ------------------ Have Fartlek - Will Travel, SteveP My User Profile IP: Logged
tnally Cool Runner	posted Oct-11-2007 02:37 PM La T, Sorry about being late in responding. I assume this was the best of times. It sure sounds that way from your report; right from beginning to fashion statement end. So glad that this day was particularly special for you. See you at Hartford. I love fruit cream pops. IP: Logged
kameele Cool Runner	posted Oct-11-2007 02:55 PM and I'm even slower....You are making up big time for not running in your own race. great times, both speed and social. good luck on hartford, whatever you may be running. Kevin IP: Logged
Spareribs Cool Runner	posted Oct-11-2007 03:19 PM Nice going, doubling up like that. So you are running Hartford too? Now I am doubly jealous! Have a great time. Spareribs IP: Logged
mcsolar99 Cool Runner	posted Oct-11-2007 03:36 PM ahhh, toe-ing the line with deena kastor... i think i'd shed a tear or two. nice racing... see you in hartford (we can gossip about spareribs) IP: Logged
hollys4874 Cool Runner	posted Oct-12-2007 09:22 AM Wow - you really HAVE been busy! Great job, LaT - you are amazing....Have a great time at Hartford.... ------------------ Holly IP: Logged
mariposai Cool Runner	posted Oct-12-2007 10:24 AM You are amazing La Tortuga...doubling up in races and enjoying every bit of it. Happy trails...I hope our path meet someday. IP: Logged
rtravers Cool Runner	posted Oct-12-2007 12:16 PM Brava on running double races so well! I missed some terrific races with my ill-timed travel plans. Next year...next year... --Robin IP: Logged

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