Sunday Run

It should have been no surprise after the repeated barrage of cold and snow we’ve been dealt this winter, the first mild Sunday of the year brought runners our from all over to join in on the Sunday Run. A total of <B>36</B> runners took to the streets this morning for the Sunday Long Run, accompanying many other people out there enjoying the break from snow. In attendance: Aileen, Audie, BarryC, Bob, BrianG, BrianS, Carol, Catherine, Demi, Denyce, Donna, Ed, Ginny, Joanne, Jim, Joe, John, Jose, Kaj, Lauren, Liz, Lois, Mary, Matt, Mike, Nancy, Nick, Pam, Peter, Rebecca, Shelly, Sue, Suzanne, Teresa… plus two new friends from the Mystic Running Club that I never had a chance to get the names of, perhaps Rick could fill us in. Let me know if I left anyone out.

Thanks go out to Peter Fopiano for setting up water stop 1 at Wakefield High School and running back to Brueggers in time to jump in to our run with 4 miles under his belt. Thanks also go out to Rick Collette for picking up extra cups and Snickers to help get the record crowd through their run, providing a water stop for the short route, and setting up water stop 2 at the corner of Main St and Nahant for the long runners.

The crowd stretched out along the LynnFells and turned up Main St in Saugus. Denyce, Donna, and Mary turned down Howard to complete the short route and get 6.3 miles in. The rest of us continued on straight towards Farm St. Due to a sore achilles tendon I hung out in the back of the pack, enjoying the conversation as I hobbled along, and the view of the large pack of runners stretching out and breaking up into smaller groups. It was very nice to see so many runners working the rolling hills towards the water stop, each with their own plan for the day and goal for the season yet working as a group to get through the run. The last stretch towards Wakefield High where our first break would be held, I watched the school zone sign register the speed of cars as they whizzed by, not to see the excessive speed of each and every car on that road but instead the rare but fun event of a pack of runners getting clocked. Today there was only one pack that registered, the one right in front of me, popping a 6 up there, 6 mph, 10 minute miles. As the final group came up on the sign we picked up the pace a bit hoping for at least a 7 but a 25 came up as a car in the distance masked our little group of runners.

Water stop 1 looked like a high school party in the parking lot, over 30 people with plastic cups chugging down fluids. Like a party I wasn’t quite sure who was there at the run until little bands took off to continue their run. The original plan was to have us head into Breakheart for a loop and meet back at the water stop but due to thick unyielding ice plans had changed. Anarchy broke out and Make-Up-Your-Own-Route day began. Most people headed out to Water St into Wakefield Center but I hopped in with a group following Nahant St to Main. Along with Kaj, Demi, Catherine and Rebecca I made my way to water stop 2, one mile from water stop 1 when you do it this way. Rick was all set up and chatting with BrianS at the stop, having reached it via Water St. Bob followed in behind him also opting for a shorter run today. The pack of 8-9 milers headed out while I, content with 5 miles without an achilles tear stayed to help man the stop. From the order and direction the runners came in I could only guess where everyone was. Some turned left off Water onto Main and added distance back in Melrose to fit their needs. Most turned right and headed to the lake. At the lake you could continue on Main St and run the traditional counter-clockwise loop around, or you could follow Nick and buck the system and go clockwise. Once around the lake you could follow North Ave back to the water stop or complete the whole loop and return via Main St… or you could do like Joe and more than make up for last week’s missing Ell Pond loop by going around Lake Quannapowitt twice. Each runner tailored their runs to their needs for the day while Rick and I scrambled around the parking lot picking up cups and bottles as they scattered with the fierce wind that whipped them around. Each runner praised the warmth and railed against the wind before heading back along Main St to Melrose and the shelter of Brueggers.

Great job to every runner today, the warmth put a smile on your face, the wind put a challenge in front of you, and the Snickers and Gatorade put some energy in your belly… all leading to a very good run.

1) Rabbit Rabbit. No we didn’t see a rabbit but that’s the first thing you’re supposed to say on the first of the month.

2) So far February’s weather kicks January’s weather’s butt! There was no major snowstorm. There was no arctic blast of cold air. Some parts even felt warm.

3) Overall 21 people ran part, all, or more than the prescribed 7.1 and 14.7 mile routes.

4) Joe was running well today. Not as well as he thought though, accidentally skipping the 1.3 mile loop around Ell Pond at the start helps give you a big lead on the rest of the pack.

5) The guy skating on Ell Pond this morning should have skated on the sidewalks instead. Melting ice and snow yesterday froze over during the night leaving the sidewalks looking like skating rinks. Is skating on Ell Pond even safe?

6) Despite the fact the loop of Ell Pond seems like a waste of time since we end right back up where we started, it was an official part of the old Melrose Law Enforcement Half Marathon so we do it. Plus it always seems to be the most conversational part of the run.

7) Thank you Lois’ car for hosting the first and fourth water stops at the Grimsby’s parking lot.

8 ) All of us 14.7 mile runners looked in stunned amazement as Ginny went flying by water stop one with no intention of stopping. I’m not sure what’s more surprising, that she didn’t need a drink or that she didn’t want to stop and talk.

9) I wasn’t alone in wondering “What is Ed training for?” as he flew by on the LynnFells. He’s running fast and far again, something’s up.

10) Welcome to Mary, running her first SLR this morning starting out with SueW and Rebecca for the 7.1 mile route. She was spotted coming back through the hills on the Fellsway East, I hope that was on purpose and that she wasn’t lost.

11) The mad beeper was not seen this morning along the Fellsway East but I’m sure I wasn’t the only one that thought of him while heading up the hills.

12) There was a nice photo opportunity when Nick, Bob, Jose, Christina, Lois, Pam, and Nancy crested the hill on Highland Ave in silhouette with a bright sunlight shining behind them. Too bad we don’t run with cameras.

13) There is no more welcoming sight at a water stop than a cute baby waving to you. Thanks Annika for bringing your parents out to do a water stop.

14) Nick was the first “Runner Down” this training session with a spectacular slip and fall on “Slacker’s Hill” on the Fellsway West. Luckily his knee seemed to withstand the bending, twisting, straining fall and his Boston run isn’t in danger.

15) This isn’t the first time Nick has been the first “Runner Down” during a training session.

16) As Ginny headed out of water stop 2 with a little head start I told her my goal would be to catch her before we made it to water stop 3.

17) We were caught a bit off guard when Liz came running out of the Sheepfold to meet up with the crew.

18) Heading into water stop 3 I caught Ginny.

19) Ginny and I passed a mound of ice on the side of the road that looked like a dead squirrel. This caused both of us to comment that there has been no road kill spotted yet on a SLR. A minute or so later we passed a real dead squirrel.

20) That dog on the Fellsway East was quite a barker. I could tell how far runners behind me were by the intervals between spurts of barking.

21) Joanne referred to Sue’s Cloughing it on the miles and cutting corners in places as “Flim Flam”.

22) Ginny told us about her abdominal strain or hernia or something that’s been bugging her this week. Hmm, that makes 2 Boston trainees in pain today. Someone check on Demi.

23) Carol and I did an extra 1+ miles together today. I think everyone should try to spend a mile with someone different every once in a while, it’s a great chance to learn more about your fellow runners.

24) Patrons of Brueggers seem to be getting used to us being around, more of them are saying hi and asking about our runs.

25) We’re a third of the way to getting some of you to Boston!!!!