Sunday Run

This morning we ended the first chapter of the long run program as the January ‘08 training runs came to a close. Today I provided the water stops with the help of my three children. The streets were dusted with a fresh layer of snow. Luckily the routes today were flat, heading north along Main St, as ice would prove to be treacherous in some places, which became evident as one curly haired Carson wound up on her butt outside of Brueggers.

Eighteen runners showed up despite the snow, while a handful of others headed north to New Hampshire to run the Boston Prep 16 Miler. It will be interesting to hear some of the stories from that race, steep hills plus snow always leads to fun. Back in Melrose our little group headed up Main St towards Wakefield. As we drove along to the water stop we watched the runners make their way up Main St hugging the side of the road to take advantage of the road salt and sand for traction. Lois and Pam, after a late start, gained ground on the crew ahead of them, Denyce, Donna, Jocelyn, and Beth. Then we passed a big group of people that included Evan, Molly, Julie, JoAnn, Nick, Ana and her friend Paul, Ed, and Mike York. Ahead of them I think I spotted MaryAnn Grande mixed in the crowd too. Finally we passed Paul Donahue and a pair of Brians, Gilroy and Slater.

At the water stop we quickly set up and I delegated the water stop duties. Kait would be handing out cups, I would pour the Gatorade and James would mix in the water. Lizzie was assigned the distribution of candy but as the snow continued to fall she opted to be snow angel maker instead. In small packs the runners filed in, drank some, went over directions and headed out, except for Nick who just waved and kept heading north to Lake Quanapowitt. Eight runners turned back south on Main to run the 6.2 mile route, two stretched the run out to 8 miles, and eight completed the whole 10.7 miles. Paul and the two Brians followed the route counterclockwise around the lake as planned. Nick, having not stopped for directions and also never having looked at a map set out in the opposite direction around the lake. It’s thought that the next group just followed Nick, as Paul and the Brians reported that they passed the rest of the runners going in the opposite direction. No worries though, they all ended up back at the water stop for a second drink.

The packs came in and we were warned that Nick had been voicing his intentions of hopping in our car for a ride back to Melrose. We decided as a group that we would do everything in our power to keep Nick from “pulling a Lamberti”. As I poured the refreshments and handed out the Gummie Bears and Snickers, my two daughters searched for the perfect snowflake as many nice crystals fell from the sky. They then worked on the perfect snowball in anticipation of Nick stopping by, and wrote happy birthday messages in the snow for Lois, whose birthday is imminent. I’m happy to report that Nick made no attempt to get in our car… although maybe the snowball to the chest dissuaded him. As the snow squalls came in full force and the runners disappeared south into the whiteness, we ended our day of water stopping.

When we pulled the car around to Brueggers we spotted some very snowy runners finishing strong despite the weather. Snowy mustaches, icy hair, and foggy glasses were the norm as we settled in for a long thawing out session of coffee, hot chocolate, and bagels putting a close to January.

Someday we’ll outnumber the degrees, today we came close. 19 runners showed up at Brueggers at 8AM for a chilly (but not frigid) long run but despite an ominous forecast all week I believe we only got as low as 26 degrees. The winds from the northwest did have an effect on any road heading north or west so I’m sure in spots we outnumbered the windchill. 

We started out Main St to West Wyoming. Judi, Barry, and Paul Donahue led the pack through the wind (heading west on West Wyoming, Brrr). Brian and Walt chased them along, with Ginny, Evan, Mike MacNeil, Andy Pate, Tracy from Mystic Runners, and myself trying to keep up. Behind us were Sue Worrall and Julie, Sue Clough and Joanne, Nancy, Lois and Pam, and Matt. It stayed this way until we turned at Grimsbys and made our way along the Fellsway East. To our surprise Andy, Tracy and I had become the back of the pack as the shortcutters mysteriously appeared in front of us. This opened up the opportunity to do some inter-pack  socializing as we marched through the series of hills to Highland Ave. As we completed the long slight incline of Highland and crested the hill, one by one we were greeted by a great void which is normally home to the water stop. “Where’s the water stop! Do I have to keep running!” echoed over and over as each runner past the spot. This fear quickly passed as we got to the Mobil station to find Rick set up around the corner serving refreshments. Thanks so much Rick for braving the cold to help out again this week.

From the water stop most of the group headed out around the backside of Spot Pond, a few followed the front side to get 7.1 miles in, and Matt was forced to stop with a nasty case of shin splints that have been hindering his running. A little rest should help that but who here ever heeds that advice. I was the last guy out of the water stop and winded my way through the packs stretched out along the Fellsway West, urging each runner along as I went by. Going west on the Fellsway meant a strong cold headwind. I noticed a little walking on the hills and was informed that I was on “Slacker’s Hill” so I should expect to see walking. I learn something new each week. Around the pond and past the Zoo some runners headed down Pond St to improvise 9 and 10 mile routes. This is where Ginny was headed until Andy convinced her that 12.5 miles was a better idea. Peer pressure can lead to good things sometimes. I caught up to Mike and Tracy as we eased into the water stop for a second time. Andy and Ginny were on their way out as we stopped and Ana and a friend were grabbing some water on their own 7.5 mile run around the pond. Knowing Ana she either slept later or was waiting for the temperatures to warm up… or both.

The last leg of the run is the hilliest, up East Border Rd, up and down and up and down the Fellsway East again, up the Lynn Fells and down past the Middle School, our legs grinding out the last miles and the last blasts of cold air. Turning on to Main St, our strides took us into the warm sun with the wind to our back to finish strong.

Back at Bueggers Barry and Judi headed out, Barry with a bloody nose which he claimed was a result of a left hook from Judi but was probably due to the dry cold air. Paul, who has been to two Sunday long runs with us noted that each has been excessively windy and hilly, to which I reminded him that I didn’t put the hills there and I can’t control the weather. I’ll forward his complaint to God and Walt.

The post run coffee and bagels broke up quickly as some scampered off to do their errands for the day before the Pats Colts AFC Championship game at 3 and others headed off to celebrate the Chinese New Year with some Dim-Sum. It was an enjoyable chilly, hilly, footbally, Dim-Sum day run.

Happy New Year!
Go Pats!