The Ice Man Cometh

Date: February 17, 2007
Music: Didn’t even turn on the IPOD
Event: Saturday Long Run 10 miles w/the NQRFPTR’s
Temperature: 20 degrees

The day began as a typical Saturday. I got up at 6 AM and my wife slept on. I made coffee, and then used the bathroom. (My coffee addiction requires coffee immediately on waking up.) I read the paper, got all my running stuff together and most importantly, checked the Weather Channel for impending snow information. The snow was scheduled for later in the day. I jumped in my truck and made the 17 mile drive to Fleet Feet.

I am training for the Nashville Country Music Marathon. I have done the Derby Marathon 3 times and it no longer holds a mystique for me. I did 4 marathons last year, including the Rock 'n Roll Marathon, in San Diego, and have been a little sore from over training. We decided early on to back off the high miles of the advanced training program and go back to more forgiving schedule of the beginner. (No one cares at mile 22 whether you did advanced or beginning training. Especially not your joints.)

When I arrived at 6:55, a few of the NQRFPTR’s were already there. Everyone got out of their warm vehicles and began catching up on the latest news, weather and sports. (Film at 11.)

As we have elected to step back to the beginner marathon training program, our mileage only called for 10 miles. A debate ensued over the route we should take. We elected to run to Seneca Park, to share in the excitement of Camille’s 5K.

We soon decided to hit the road and took off on Eastern Parkway toward the park Graham razzed me a bit about a comment by Manfred regarding all the women I run with. (I can’t help if I exude animal magnetism.) In reality, there are several guys in our group, but most are little guys and/or much faster than me. It's a well-known fact that our group consists of mostly young women and middle-aged men. Nobody knows for sure why, but it's nice running with attractive ladies all the time. I'm around men all week and it's a nice change. Manfred, eat your heart out!

Graham and a few others began to pull away and 3 or 4 of us made our way to Seneca without much trouble, but as always, with great conversation. When we reached the park the faster runners were waiting for us and we used the bathroom and took our lap around the park to even out the mileage.

The trip back was pretty uneventful, but we continually came upon patches of ice, covered with snow that made the footing tenuous. I almost fell on the Seneca track, but my cat-like balance kept me from falling. (Ha-Ha)

We came upon the 5K runners in Cherokee Park and waved at several, as we made our way up to Dog Hill. Dog Hill, as always was tough. I usually begin to get pretty silent on Dog Hill. The constant gasping for breath leaves me pretty much speechless. (Much to the delight of my fellow runners.) When reached the top, we recovered from the climb and began to comment on the early hour it was. We were looking forward to the coffee of the day.

We headed back to Fleet Feet, changed clothes and made the .1 mile trip across the street to Heine Bros. Pam and Dave were already at the table when we arrived. We soon found out that Pam had had a nasty fall on the ice and busted her arm and ribs. She said Dave also fell and landed on top of her. I advised her to put on ice it and was quickly reminded that she is a physical therapist.

Our conversation soon turned to marathons and running as it always does and after mass quantities of Timor, we all decided to head home to finish out the weekend. Another 10 miles in bank.