Race Two of the Grand Pricks Series, #6
Balky Knees
This is the second installment in the twenty 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.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
East End Club 5 Mile Road Race
This past week leading up to this race was pretty scary.
It started with working all the previous weekend installing one of those floating hardwood floors, about 300 square feet worth. It covered up a few sins this 1860’s shack is known for.
The fun led into Monday too.
Tuesday I get out at lunch to run 5 miles and my knees were having none of it. I barely made it around Fresh Pond in Cambridge once.
My knees were screaming.
A handful of Advil calmed things down but I was worried, my left knee had some swelling and the right felt like there was broken glass between the bones.
Not good.
My only known cure for this was to get a new pair of Asics 2110’s and a lot of rest. I didn't realize just how beat my running shoes were till I tested out the new ones at Marathon Sports in Harvard Square.
I didn’t run on Wednesday and Thursday I ran a decent five and declared myself fit for duty.
Friday, rain and Saturday more fun with the floor.
Sunday comes too soon and Dave Malliaros and I make to Lowell for the start with over an hour to spare. This is another gritty urban race like the Summer Steamer in Somerville.
They say Lowell is enjoying a come-back? Could hardly notice in this section of town. I’m a city guy and this is fine for me.
I spy Pete Wallan, Pete Buhl – the agents responsible for this madness.
I’m keeping an eye out for previous RATS, and I spy them all with a few exceptions (see the steamer write-up). Manny Arruda is there showing off his cast over his broken wrist, was it from saving people from burning buildings? No just a tumble over a ladder with a five gallon paint bucket in hand, snap! Even Superman can get hurt. Dick Pierce is there, he missed Khoury’s but he’s ready to walk this one.
It’s cloudy, and overcast, humid in the eighties, kind of like summer in Florida, typical weather for this little race.
I’m in with the south shore contingent: Tommy StraQ, Jim Schneider, and Nancy MacDonald for a little warm-up run. The sweat flows easily.
Probably two hundred running and at the appointed time we line up. I see Rick Bayko the name-sake for this series. There are a lot of good runners here today – all well past their prime but will place well in there respective age groups.
I sneak up behind Sarah Winkley and newest RAT,Tresa Casaletto, Sarah pointing out the fact that there are RATS everywhere when she jumps at the sight of another RAT, me, standing right next her.
It’s hot, with another inaudible pre-race speech that gets heard by one or two runners up front. The gun goes off and it’s hardly noticed by us “back-of –the packers”
I set out and spy Dave Martin ahead, my knees behaving, the new kicks seem to be working, I shadow him for a mile (7:18) before he notices me.
He’s a step or two behind wifey Gail Martin and fellow fast RAT Ted Rideout is the there when I hear Nancy MacDonalds voice telling Dave of my tricks.
We’re side by side for the second mile (7:47) when the funs begins, as much fun as you can have running uphill. This group simply pulls away and I alone again struggling against gravity.
Mile three (8:19) rolls through Dracut and back into Lowell. Coming into four, Rick Bayko cruises by, flawless body mechanics, a study running energy economy, I trail studying closely, amazing.
Then I hear a familiar voice as J.G. passes by like clockwork. Note to self: play this guys game next time.
The turn back onto Bridge Street and its all downhill to the finish, a pair of 7:54’s get me a time of 39:13. After the week I had, I’m very happy with that.