A Hood to Coast for the Memory Book

Last time I ran Hood to Coast was 2015 and it was painful. Even more than usual, my left hip was still giving me lots of pain. This year our office team again got an entry and I declined but offered to be one of their volunteers.  All was good.

Then last week I got a call asking if I wanted to be on a team of former cross country and track teammates from the late 60s early 70's from Yale...yes Frank Shorter is one of those teammates. After talking with the Old Blue captain and describing to him my conditioning state he was still encouraging. Ask for 24 hours to think it over, but assured him if I joined them I would increase their average pace and lower their average IQ.

My first call after hanging up was to Marky. After explaining the situation and my concerns about not being in shape to run well or even without pain, his advice, as sound as ever, was "Ricky it's Frank fucking Shorter!" He was right, I'm on the team.

Where upon I immediately hurt my foot and was in pain for two days and scared I'd have to now back out. But after icing and no running for 3 days whatever it was was gone. I did a hilly 6 mile run on Sunday doing 3/1 run/walk following by a 3 mile 3/1 on Monday. My legs were tired but no pain in hips, back or knees. Goal now is to not do anything stupid and get injured.

There is a team dinner tomorrow night, Thursday, where we will decide who runs which legs. Our start time is 12:15pm Friday. As I told Marky, I'll ride this high until I'm struggling on leg 2 or 3 and think, "what the hell was I thinking!"

more to come...

The end of an epic weekend. So much to reflect upon and savor. From the teammates of Old Blue, to my runs, to observing the bonds of decades of friendships. It was a privilege to be a part of this.

My runs:
Leg 11: 4.84 miles, 45:38, 9:15
This leg was my night run, Springwater Corridor, straight and flat. Goal was to run a faster training pace run. I was a bit tight and sore from riding in the van but loosened up. It was impossible to time my pace so ran of perceived effort. I was comfortable but felt like a quick training run. I went back and forth passing a woman until the last mile we agreed we liked each others pace and ran the last mile together and chatted. We high fived at the end. Paced was perfect, 9:15 what they had calculated for this leg.

Leg 23, 4.23, 37:26 (8:50)
This was my only leg on the road where the van could pass me and yell at me. I gave em a thumbs up. It was a gradual downhill with just a couple of mild bumps, perfect for a faster pace without much effort or leg pounding. I don't remember much about this leg other than I knew I was running quick, good leg turn over, but within comfort level, knowing my final leg was the longest and most difficult was ahead. Exceeded my goal pace of 9:15.

Leg 35, 7.07, 1:14:06, (10:28)
This would be my longest run in over 2 years. I've run 6 miles about 5 times this year. This was the leg where I thought I was thinking of doing run/walk the entire way. But after running with this group and feeling like a welcomed teammate I knew I had to "leave it on the track." I wore the Yale t-shirt I was given, I had to make the name on the shirt proud. Kurt had run these legs last year and explain this section to me and gave me some good advice about not taking the first slight downhill at the start too hard, and beware of the "fake" finish about a half mile before the actual finish. Both were good suggestions.  As I started out my goal time was 9:45. I knew it would be a real struggle to maintain that. My set my sights not on a pace but an effort. I found an effort level that was right on the balance beam, to fall one way would be running too easy, like a long easy run. To fall the other way was to collapse into lactic acid hell. My goal was to stay on the balance beam as long as possible and see which way I fell. I pulled out all the stops to help me...I carried water knowing I would need to hydrate on this hour plus run, I had Gu, and I had music, which I never run with. I also gave encouragement to anyone I passed or passed me.

As the early miles passed I set my time goal to finish in 70 minute, 10:00 pace. I got mental help by encouraging others. As I passed a fire truck with volunteers there to aid runner, I help out the relay baton and said, "This is a relay. Who wants to run?" No takers.

As I approached 5 miles I had to start the tricks. I set goals of running to that patch of gravel, then to that curve ahead, to the to of this incline. At 5.5 I had to walk. I drank so water and 60 seconds later I started running with the idea of starting the 3:00/1:00 run/walk. I was hoping I could still make 70 with the past pace. After a couple of 3/1 cycles it was time for the music. I made a playlist of songs to motivate and songs to distract. The first up when I hit shuffle was Enter Sandman, a motive, I was hoping for a distraction. I started running and ran through the some. When it finished I walked for 60 seconds. I did another cycle and mid way run a 3 minute run segment Three Dog Night's Joy to the World shuffled on. I love that song. That run took me to the 6.5 miles. I was hurting but knew the finish was near. I turned off the music as I passed signed warning flagger ahead, "Be Prepare to Stop" As I approached the intersection and was being waved through I said to the flagger, I saw the "Be Prepared to Stop" sign, I've been prepared to stop for a long time." That got a laugh and encouragement that the finish was close.

As I approached the exchange I saw my teammates. I think I picked up the pace, but I know I was in pain, my legs had been fighting me for the past 3 miles. But as I handed the bracelet to Bard I placed my hands on my knees in exhaustion, Jeff was near enough to catch me if I needed assistance, all I could do was mutter a breathless, "fuck!" I was welcomed with enthusiastic support from my van mates. I felt like a Yalie. Though I didn't meet the expected time nor my goal, I knew I ran on the balance beam for as long as I could and finished as hard as I could. I was wiped out and they recognized that effort. Thank you van mates for the support.

More on the epicness of the Old Blue companionship I had the honor of seeing...