Grand Pricks Series #7
11/12/09
My Fellow RAT subscribers, tonight I come to you with a heavy heart to take action which up to now I have resisted with every fiber of my being. I thought that at the beginning of the series I would maintain a place in the top 35 runners in the Toughest Runner in New England Challenge. I boasted that I would host the final RAT party and offer the runners who completed all the events a steak dinner.
It has come to my realization however that the present scoring system is weighted too heavily in favor of older runners and I would not make the top thirty five. Hence I would not be eligible to attend my own party. With the tally of every race to date it is clear that the series is a very competitive field stacked with older runners that in the end would force me out of the final standings. I have over the years put in my time and effort to ensure I would indeed prevail and for the last three series having attained a perfect record of attendance achieved the top 35 ranking. This series, even though I will participate in every event I will not make that goal.
Worse it has become obvious that these old curmudgeons are coming out of the woodwork and are indeed faster than I. Strutting Imprescias, Martinos and Pierces all flout their athletic ability that I cannot surmount. Discrimination and prejudice are reasserting themselves in an atmosphere of distraction brought on by the Byzantine scoring system known only to a few. Participation in the RAT series, which has been in the decline for the past series is now growing once again. Even the difficulty of the races, the toughest ever, has succumbed to mere 5K’s and lowly five milers. More older runners now run these fluff races knowing they score higher than more fleet of foot.
For these reasons and other reasons too numerous and detailed to mention here, I now realize that I must step aside and let these new competitors a chance to host the end of the series RAT party. I must look beyond the bitter injustice visited on me by being less fleet of foot. I must return the RAT party to it’s proper status among the top 35 of which I am not. And I must do this now whatever the cost to me in pain or possessions, subjecting my will wholly to the will of the RAT series participants.
Accordingly, my fellow RAT series participants, today I have thrown in the towel, raised the white flag in surrender and offer the final RAT party to someone else to host.
To that end, I have thrown open the door for someone else to come forward and take my place to host the final rat series party. I will work with whoever steps forward to ensure the final RAT party will be one to remember. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure a whale of a party but I want you to understand, my fellow RAT Series participants, that I cannot continue to host a party I cannot attend.
To control the ebbing attendance which has so severely damaged our beloved series, the scoring system has been gerrymandered far too heavily in favor of these doddering old poops so they attain a status I already have: So be it. I welcome them with open arms.
Finally, I want to make it absolutely clear that I have no intention of deserting the series. I will never resign. If necessary, if these old fogies continue to climb in the standings, they will see me in all my glory in Pennsylvania next May. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to, yet again, run all the races in the series. Lets not forget who was the only one to do so in the last series.
Let us now roll up our sleeves and work towards a common goal of getting one of these old Yankee runners to loosen their purse strings, cash in their retirement and put on one heck of a party.
Good Night and God bless the United States of America
10/15/09
Reality has set in. The RAT is closing up shop. Last issue: August 12, 2010. After this Series...what are we gonna do? I'm gonna miss our adventures together. If I don't have the series to look forward to...I'm gonna get fat and old! What are we gonna do?
10/05/09
My marathoning days are over (14 in all) but I hung in there to get these two done. At the Clarence DeMar Marathon in Keene, New Hampshire (9/27) I had a great 21 mile race, too bad the standard course is 26.2. I was on a 10 minute per mile pace thru 21 when I simply started walking (exhausted) to complete the thing in 5:00:03. Couldn’t even muster a quick stagger to get under 5 hours. It rained the whole time, not hard, but a persistent heavy drizzle with temps mid sixties which helped. I was wearing shorts, a tank top and a semi rain proof jacket shell and fabric hat. Felt great, no pain. The New Hampshire Marathon in Bristol, New Hampshire(10/3) started and finished with a heavy constant downpour and temps in the dangerously low 40’s. I was wearing the same outfit. This certified KILLER course combined with the cold rain to send more than one hypothermic runner to the hospital. I felt the onset of hypothermia (chills, lack of balance and disorientation) at mile 25 and hustled to the finish replete with ankle deep mud where the finish was staged on flooded ball field in back of the middle school. This was the toughest physical challenge I have faced…..since….the last RAT series. A 5:14 –walked the last 2.2 miles. We changed and headed over to a local Irish Bar for (beverages deleted). It took an hour to stop shaking from the damp cold. I have to say these two races are unmatched when it comes to seeing New England in all its autumn beauty. The fall colors coupled with the rural settings were spectacular. Yesterday I just laid in bed and watched TV. Feel good today.
FYI: This weekend was a rare “two state” marathon weekend for the “Fifty Staters”( folks who’s goal is to run a marathon in every state before they’re 50). The Maine Marathon was yesterday. I thought I was nuts doing two marathons in six days, nut runners come from all over the country cause they can “bag” two marathons in two adjacent states in one weekend.
Onto Haverhill, MA this weekend for the Bobby Bell 5 miler! Piece of cake!
8/14/09
It's 1:11am and here I am sitting in front of this infernal machine. Mileage this week: Sunday 16- The Sunday Marshfield Road Runners 8 loop twice, Monday 7- three laps around Fresh Pond (temperature 95), Tuesday 7 - three laps around Fresh Pond (temperature 90), Wednesday 7.5 down to BU and back along the Charles River, Thursday 7- I call it Twice Payson cause you run up the hill to the Payson Park Reservoir in Belmont...twice and a planned 18 Saturday. so another typical week. I guess that's why I like the series, gives me something to do.
Folks ask for a write up but I am past that now (read some of my older drivel if you want). I will add to this page (like I am doing now) from time to time, so stay tuned. This being the last series it's all about the history of the series and all the great runners (not me) who have flashed across New England over the years so go to the HSR archive page and download a copy if you want some good reading and a history lesson. It is amazing to read our race times over the years. Eventually all the issues will be there.
Ok a series recap: After New London the series has taken the gloves off and we're in a hamstring snapping fight for the top 35. the easy races are over and we head into the real cartilage ripping part of the series-be forewarned. The uncommitted runners will limp off in the next 60 days. You show up to race at the Bobby Bell and you're in the top thirty five you are a certified insane runner and if your STILL in the top 35 after Stu's, well, may god have mercy on your tortured hamstrings- see you there.
On the eve of the final " Toughest Runner In New England" Series, I sit here wondering how will it all turn out.
M A has assured me that she is game to "run them all". I "Dunham all" three times now (GPS 4,5,and 6) and I wonder if anyone else will join us in this quest.
As your intrepid chronicler of the series with my personal spin, will you?
I will host a steak dinner to all who run the 26 races - The top thirty five get a Veggie or hamburger. See you (the top 35) at my place in July 2010.