For those who don't know Alley pond, I'll just say 13 loops. For those who know Alley Pond or even have some understanding of it, I offer this better description. We started at the 73rd Ave/Springfield Alley Pond right next to the aid station. From there, we went around the baseball field and climbed to upper alley. We went around the baseball field there too and keeping that comfort station to our left, we continueed to the stairs. Now, this is one instance where Richie was nice. He could have led us to the 20 or so stairs. Instead, we went to the 6 stairs and from there a left and then a right, right onto the green line. That put us on the big hill, about 1/2 way up. At the top of the hill was our aid station. We continueed straight, down the big hill. At the bottom, we turned around and climbed the big hill. Thankfully, he did NOT have us go to the next hill. In any case, the aid station was there again. We continuued down and turned out of the green line from where we came. This is the path that the AP Striders use for their 5 miler. That means we climb the big hill again but this would take us back to the start/finish to complete the loop. There was an aid station there as well. So, we had 2 aid stations, one of which we saw twice per loop. Hopefully you followed some of that. Trust me, when I say that it was a rough loop.
Since it was BUS' 40 year anniversary, Richie offered either a 40K which is 2K or 1.2 miles short of a marathon and a 40M. The 40K was 8 loops while the 40M was 13 loops. Since he knew that some people would rather do a Marathon, he capitulated and said that if you run to the aid station, you can also get a Marathon in. As usual, anyone who finishes the longest distance would get times in all 3 races. So, since I did the 40M, I have a 40K and a Marathon time as well. Anyone who does the Marathon has a 40K and a Marathon time. Also, anyone who does the 40M, gets a nicer finishers thingie than the 40Kers.
I saw a bunch of people that I know including, Phil Mcarthy who was helping out, John Budge AKA Brooklyn, Not Kris with a "K" whose real name is Burt, Mikey minus Maria, Ed Peters, Billy Richards, David Drebsky, Sexy Legs Eva Caselle, Cherie Yanek and others. I thought Kate would be there but since her birthday was the next day, she wasn't there. Emmy was also missing until she suddenly very ninja like appeared. Jamey's daughters Bat-Mitzvah was the following week and so he didn't even bother to ask for permission. He just figured "oh well".
The race started. Mikey and I ran together and all was good in the world. I was apprehensive about the 13 loops but whatever. I was with Mikey.
At the end of the first loop, Mikey being Mikey, went to the indoor plumbing. He was dizzy. I continuued knowing that he would catch me. Burt took off and I was always trailing him. That's cool. I usually beat him but if he has a better day than I, then that's awesome. David, stuck with us for a loop before heading out by himself. Better that way as far as I'm concerned.
I ran with Emmy for a while and then I ran with Sexy Legs Eva who was awesome. Mikey eventually caught us and passed us which was awesome to see.
Emmy who was preaching about Mikey and what he should do, announced that she would only do the 40K. Mikey eventually decided on doing just the Marathon. He hadn't run in a long time. Emmy then stuck for the Marathon and when she found out, how many women there were, decided to do the 40M even tho she's injured blah blah as usual and even tho it doesn't make sense blah blah and preach about Mikey as well. Yes - That annoyed me. I understand why she stuck around. I still like Emmy but she did annoy me.
Mikey did eventually leave. Sucks. Didn't see Maria and he was done and gone. No Kate. No Bill. But then... Jamey shows up. He had an hour to kill and he hadn't yet run at all so instead of a night run, he ran a loop with us. Cool.
I left Eva at 1 point and ran with someone else. Eventually I did run with Eva again and we finished the race together.
I could have caught Burt at any time but decided not too. Let him have his day.
I will admit that I was tired and beat up tho. It was a roller coaster 8 weeks or so. If you followed the calendar before reading this, then you would have realized it was the 42 mile Bday run at night, followed by 6 days later the 100 Miler, followed by 3 weeks later the 50K quadzilla followed by 2 weeks later this race. I was very tired. I was beat up.
One funny thing that did happen and worth mentioning... There's a woman I see all the time on the path. Pretty sure she is a strider but I don't remember her name. She always volunteers at these races. She was at the turnaround for quite a few hours and told me at one point that she is leaving and that the T/A sign will stay. I asked what T/A is and she said "Turn Around". I told her that is NOT what T&A stands for. She was puzzled but then got it. She got red and laughing scolded me. Later I saw her and of course, I told her that the should thank me for teaching her a new thing.
Also, during this race, there was an unsanctioned race going on as well. We found out it was the "5K for the Orphans" which is cool. Unfortunatly their shirt said "5K Marathon for the Orphans". Jeez...
The following day, Jamey and I ran with Brad 7 miles. We ran into the volunteer who I taught T&A and I hugged her. We also ran into Adam Orlow. Actually, we were running and suddenly someone came from behind us. Brad and Jamey were caught of guard. I realized someone was coming and turned. Of course, I realized it who it was. Not too many people run and smack me in the Ass. His wife saw us the previous day and was wondering if I was doing a race but she also saw kids doing the Marathon 5K so she wasn't sure what was going on. I told him about the 40miler and the course and he was shocked that I was there doing another 7 the next day. As the poet once said, "Stupid is as stupid does...".
This was not my favorite race. Hell, I think next year, I may cut down on some of Richie's races. The magic with them is that they are very local and very cheap. Unfortunatly, the venue or race course is usually sort of the same and many loops and that all gets tiring.
That's it. Short unlike the course.