Hot Fun In the “almost” Summertime

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(one view from the support crew’s perspective)

(aka, a long report for a short race)

MrBimble ran another 100-miler this weekend through waist-high snow (in June). Cool, but you think that was hard, I had to run five miles with MasterPo (wink, or was it, he had to run it with me) at the Branford Road Race on Sunday.

The weekend started on Friday morning when Dr Mel announced a typical hot and humid forecast for Father’s Day. So I sent MPN a text suggesting he hydrate properly, and he immediately responded with “I’m sitting in the lounge at Heathrow downing a Guinness, perfect.”

[singlepic=6422,280,200,,right] On race day, I arrived on the Green and was greeted by Coolaid and daughter in stroller. Immediately followed by MPN. We chatted about our aches and pains and lack of running and were greeted by another mate, MPN’s nephew Brian, who is an EMT for the Branford Fire Department. We continue on and scan the Green looking for the usual suspects and run across Erica’s mom (sans Erica), another healthcare provider. Not a good start, all wanting to know if they’re going to have to come to our rescue. Well, we didn’t find any of the usual suspects so we head to the start.

Here’s the problem. They’re all standing on the sidelines in street attire. There’s Forrest, Eraser and Mort, watching? Mr. Wonderful (ok, we expect him not to run) and IGGY without a bib? No one else in view. Ok, there’s 1900 runners, so we just don’t see the rest.

MasterPo and I, turns out, were the support team for Team Tie-Dye, which includes Steve’s only non-running heir Carleen and a handful of her friends. You all know her, she sang the national anthem two years ago at the Bluff. The gun sounds and the ladies are excited not about winning, just finishing. The good news is the pace will reflect that.

The Team heads down Montowese and MPN’s coaching/fatherly instincts kick in. “Don’t get caught up in the opening wave by going out too fast, slow down, steady “your” pace.” We’ve all heard his sage advice before. At Caron’s Corner we’re joined by Coolaid and daughter then at Meadow we’re passed by PapaT. I pick it up just a little to say hello. PapaT doesn’t stick around, he wants to get the 5-miler over with.

Near mile one Coolaid wants to pick it up and looks for me to go along. I pass since I’m there to pace Team Tie-Dye, so don’t see Coolaid again. Beaten by a guy with a stroller, ugh?

[singlepic=6431,280,200,,left]Typical BRR, too hot. In the shade it was hot but fairly unnoticeable since my thoughts weren’t on my overheating, but at keeping a pace that wouldn’t burn out the Team. Before we reach Lenny’s we cross paths with M&M for some good cheer. Then we’re out in the open and it gets hot, quite hot. Drinking water was fine but I begin to find the sprinklers annoying since most couldn’t be avoided and just cause sweat to burn into my eyes. Thank goodness the distance was short and the pace steady so we make it to the lifeguard chair on Seaview without a problem (that was Carleen’s minor goal). Up 1st Avenue then downhill for a little respite.

There’s Shaggy for a high five and then up Pine Orchard to PapaT’s for some water (water, really?) The rest of the course was on cruise control. When we get back to Montowese there is more of the problem, as Dorothy, Sno, and Forrest are on the sidelines cheering.

[singlepic=6433,280,200,,right]Peanut met his sister on Montowese and led her toward the finish. He was told he couldn’t race so he held back and didn’t reach his goal of top 100 (actually came in 105, holding back). He and I drop off at Allstate (wait, where’s Allstate?) since I’m a bandit and he’s done. Carleen, MasterPo, and the rest of Team Tie-Dye head to a relatively easy finish.

Then, some of the usual suspects begin to appear.

These results I found without really looking:

Puppy 30:17
Peanut 33:57
Quiet Man 38:43
Melissa 39:27 (Puppy’s sweetie)
Snap Shot 43:44
Scoobie 43:44
PapaT 47:44
Coolaid 52:03
NOV 52:11
the Baron 52:34
Corinne 53:43
Carleen 1:00:53
MPN 1:01:09
OJ (?)

Shane 10:18