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FLRC Newsletter - Sep 2003 |
| Dough Boy & Madness | |
What is the Pillsbury Dough Boy doing running a race? Well, I'll tell you. I've been travelling the world, from Korea to L.A. to the Carribean, and in all of those spots I have run into some former FLRC or High Noon member who told amazing stories of the experience that is the Ithaca Trail Race. So I made a stop in Ithaca to hang out with hippies at ABC Café, stage a few anti-corporate welfare protests (before I realized the thick irony there), and most importantly, to experience your running community.
I entered the Virgil Mountain Madness 30K on a rainy weekend morning. A devastatingly handsome man loaned me his shoes, and though they were a few sizes too big, they were better than nothing. So with enormous shoes on my feet, a racing number strung between my wrists, and a twinkle in my eye, I set out, nearly bring trampled by the overly-enthused giants surrounding me at the starting line. But I had been training, and soon began to pass folks right and left. They were amazed, if I may say so, at my turnover rate, pun intended.
Some spots got a little wet. All but the top of my baker's hat was soaked inside of ten minutes. But it was a well-marked and nice course. I managed to hang with the leaders for a while because of some really odd behavior on their part. Becky kept salivating, then spending long stretches of time arguing with volunteers over the conspicuous absense of biscuits at the refeshment stand. Tom seemed to think it was more interesting to poke me in the tummy than to watch where he was going. You guys can be weird, but you are a kind people, and so I grinned and bore it and ran hard.
I hit 25K in the lead, feeling great, but then trouble set in. I bonked without warning, and I was forced to slow down to a shuffle. It hurt my time-my split for the last 5K was about 4 hours-but I didn't let it get me down. Even I can forget to carbo load.
All in all, a great time and I want to thank you all for your hospitality. Next year I'll provide refreshments.
Sincerely,
Doughie
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