The twelfth race of the Grand Pricks Series, #6
A SAFE HAVEN
Part one and two
This is the twelfth installment in the
twenty one race series. Most running mags who report on these races center
around who won and quick times. This blog revolves around the seamy underbelly
in each race; the also-rans: the has-beens: the crippled: the infirm: the
insane.
These are my people. Read on.
33rd Jones-Town & Country 10 Mile Road Race
Amherst, MA, February 25, 2007
I like this race.
Looking over the schedule of races at the start of every RAT series, there's always Amherst.
And it's a good thing too. The series needs a life ring, a safe haven in the series, a gimme race.
I've run this event four times and I feel I know I can handle it. The problem is it's sandwiched in two horrific races: Martha's Vineyard 20 miler and Stu's 30K (18.6 miles for you metrically challenged).
The wild card is the weather. This year it was meek and mild, temps in the low thirties, clear skies and calm.
Early in the series I made plans to drive out with CRR's Editor-in-chief Dave Malliaros and the clubs ex-president John Goldrosen. As the series wore on it took a toll on these two intrepid runners, they both begged off and I was in need of a ride share to this distant outpost.
I knew CRR's Gail and Dave Martin have a roomy limousine, so alternate plans are made.
On the eve of the race L-Streets J.G. Schneider checks in with an offer of a ride. He didn't know my number but his beautiful wife CRR's Nancy MacDonald rattled off my number by heart.
J.G. wanted answers to that fact. Their precocious daughter Tessa told him it's none of his business.
On race day morning I make my way to the palatial Martin estate in the posh upscale suburb of Sharon.
I am escorted into the grand salon by the master of the house and I make myself comfortable on the divan. While the dapper couple finish their haute cuisine french meal in the breakfast nook, I peruse Friday's closing stock prices on the massive home entertainment center tuned to NECN.
It was early and Dave hadn't yet picked out his running attire and excused himself. Gail was dressed for the days event and needed a last minute round of yoga stretches to find her center.
While this was going on the family pet, a rather ratty tabby wound herself around my bare legs repeatedly. I chose to wear shorts since the day held promise of fair weather.
As the sun advanced across the sky, the hour of departure fast approaching found Dave unsure of what running shoes to wear.
To which Gail called out "Oh, just bring them all Dahling"
Dave standing in the sun filled vestibule thoughtfully rubbing his chin liked that idea and packed two pair from a closet that would make Imelda Marcos blush.
"Right-O" he said in a satisfied voice.
"Are we ready?" I call out.
And with that we set out for the two hour drive west.
Part two.
We pull in with over an hour till race time, the sun is shining, 33 degrees and it's dead calm. Perfect for racing.
I don't know what it is about this race.
Somehow it feels...comfortable, familiar, reassuring.
At this stage of the series: 11 regular and 7 wild card races behind us, we all know our roles and there is no hard edges...it's a great feeling.
We enter the school to find the RATs circling around the latest standings. Pete Wallan, NMCs Jeff Gould, MVSs Dave Tyler, Peter Orni, Chris Stocker, GFRCs Ted Ridout, MUSs Charley Farrington, SRRs Mike Quinn, Wampanoag Don Burke, My heroes: Steve Lombardo and Ron Trippett. J.G. Schneider, Tessa and Nancy MacDonald, Tommy StraQ are there...it may sound silly, but it feels like family.
It's like I belong there in that space at that time. Familiar faces walk past, the whole vibe feels nice.
I relax and smile. TNTs Runner Y (and now a RAT) is there with her "crusty old dude" runner of a father.
We find out that Manny Arruda...the days bandit on the course, has already left. A torn meniscus in his right knee can't keep him from getting his fair share of RAT points.
Our numbers get picked up, T-shirts handed out and stashed in the car...we wait and relax.
More RATS convene and tell their war stories about the Martha's Vineyard 20 miler the week before.
Everything flows...It's hard to describe.
A few people saunter out into the sunshine for a warm up, Gail, Dave and I do the same. We've done it so many times before, there's no need to say anything...it just flows.
More RATs: Sarah Winkley, Tressa Casaletto. EORCs Jim Boss, NMCs Jim Imprescia, SRRs Steve Pepe, NRA's Runner X and RAT points leader Mike Tammaro out warming up in the sunshine.
11am is start time, high fives and smiles all around and we're off. First mile is a restrained uphill 8:55 first mile, Tommy StraQ, J.G. and I pick our way through the crowd.
Mile two a downhill 8:25 gets the blood flowing, passing a steady technicolor Ray Boutotte and Rick Jones. J.G. fades and Tommy takes off, out in front of me 20 seconds or so. It's a surreal feeling, a glow, glorious sunshine, at ease, runners settling in for the 10 mile distance.
Mile three an uphill 9:21, I catch Tommy walking as I baby step past him keeping the pace and rhythm not slowing. The road turns to dirt and snow pack, yet dry.
Mile four 9:10 flattens out past the reservoir in the shade of the pine groove.
Mile five, 8:47, relaxed, I pick off runners one at time over the dirt track.
Mile six back on pavement, I pick up the pace, 8:40 on the level part of the course,
Mile seven, 8:13, feeling frisky, I pass a bushel of runners as I make my way uphill, then I hear familiar foot falls and breathing:
"You know it's me back here" Tommy quietly announces.
"Yeah. and where's Jimmy, I know he's back there" I reply not missing a breath.
Soon Tommy's next to me and we fall into a pace we've done dozens of races before. Great feeling, the familiarity, very gratifying.
"I lost him around mile four" Tommy says and with that we work our way silently, Tommy moving out ahead of me into mile 8, 9:04 and I spy Judy Ramvos ahead climbing the rise and I set my sights and dig in, passing a couple of runners I've been sharing the last few miles with.
I pass Judy too at the top of the rise and make the right turn into 9, 8:48 leaves her in my wake and I pass few more fading runners, Rich Paulson, and Larry Morris among them feeling strong in the winter sunlight.
Tommy is there just ahead and I put my foot in his ass and yell at him to pick it up, I pass him and he's got nothing to respond, I leave him my wake. I spy the turn into the school and put the hammer down past the cheering crowd at the finish. Then the turn past the finish and the sprint to the end of the parking lot and the turn back to the finish, Tommy nowhere behind me and I gun it to the finish, 88:30.