Reunions

A couple of weeks ago, I went running with some of my former ClubRun teammates, including AmyBee. They're training for the TC Marathon and were running 16 miles that day. I knew I couldn't go that far, but I ran almost 8 miles--my knee started to hurt and I walked the last 1/2 mile. I'm horribly out of shape, but they graciously waited for me. Two of my friends, Big M and KT were signed up for the marathon, but their hearts weren't in it and they stopped training, so they volunteered to do a water stop. And AmyK was the bike angel, following on her bike to keep us company which I really appreciated when I had to start walking.

At mile eight, the group ran back to the club and I got a ride with Big M and KT. Then we all met for breakfast, which for me is the best part of a run. It was fun to catch up with everyone. Now that LTF has bought NWAC, I can go to any of the clubs. Of course, part of the discussion was what would happen to Club Run. The two running clubs are very different, but each has its own special qualities. It would be nice if the best of both clubs could be merged, instead of one replacing the other. Things are staying the same until the fall marathon training is completed.

Last Saturday was my turn to staff a water stop. The LTF group that I trained with for Grandma's was doing a 20 mile run on Saturday, so I volunteered to help. This was the Capitol Run, the last 20 miles along the Twin Cities Marathon course. I bought water and the same sport's drink that they're serving at the TCM. And I have a little first aid bag that I brought along, full of 8-hour Tylenol, band-aids, and bio-freeze. I thought the band-aids would be used for blisters, but one guy put them on his nipples. Ouch!

At mile 4, I set up my little card table and poured water and sport's drink into the cups, just like they do at races. I didn't want to put out too much, because I didn't want it to get warm. The slower runners started a half-hour before the others and they were the first to arrive. I filled a few more cups and suddenly a mob of runners descended. It was chaos, but they got through it. Then one of the coaches yelled out that your metabolism resets itself after 30 seconds and they were off.

I offered to do a second stop, so set up again at mile 13. Although there was plenty of sport's drink left over, I stopped to buy more cups and water. This time the crowd was a little more spread out, but it was later in the day and they really wanted cold liquid. Fortunately, most of the beverages were well chilled, and one woman exclaimed that this was the best stop yet! Nothing was left after that stop.

If you ever want to feel loved, do a water stop for a long run. Everybody was so appreciative and showered me with compliments. One person even called me a saint! That's me, Saint Dori, patron saint of water stops. Twenty mile runs are important and I figured the runners needed all the support they can get. I've relied on plenty of volunteers on my training runs and it was about time for me to give back.

When the runners were gone, I went to a nearby coffee shop to get my morning jolt. As I sat there, I kept thinking about that awful stretch down Summit Ave. (One year Coach Gary practically dragged my sorry butt to the finish.) When I couldn't stand it any longer I drove down Summit Ave. to see if anybody needed my help. Nobody looked like they were dragging, but I recognized one woman and asked if she needed anything. She had detoured to find a bathroom and wanted to make sure the group didn't leave without her, so I drove to the end and told them that she was on her way.

The Plymouth club joined the Highland Park club for this run and Coach Jan forwarded this to me from the Plymouth coach:

Also please give Doreen a special kudos! She is awesome, even there at the end making sure everyone had a ride home. What a star!!

It's so nice to be appreciated. :-)