Race Day; No Bus Work; A Gourmet Brunch; A Surprise Basket; A Surprise in a Bag...; PA!

Sunday morning reveille came very early, at 0615, so I could have coffee and a bagel before Chris Lavelle (producer of the Messages of Hope documentary) picked me up for the Rochester Half Marathon, which was to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. We got to the starting line at 0700 on a chilly (47F, cold for me) and windy morning. The full marathon (26.2 miles) runners started at 0730; then the 1,722 other “Half” runners lined up. It was a good start, with no one tripping and falling like sometimes happens in a crowded start. Chris was off like a rabbit, and was soon out of sight. Ah, the exuberance of youth... little did he know that the Super Glue-like substance that I surreptitiously put on the bottom of his shoes would soon slow him down!

As in my last race, I tried to keep pace with and then “pull in” runners ahead of me. There was no high school girls’ track team to follow this time, but I seemed to be running mostly with women in their 30s and 40s... pretty good scenery, like running with Suzanne.  As you can see in this photo, the women were also enjoying the scenery.  

At mile 8, I caught up with Chris, and the goo on his shoes was taking its toll. I felt bad for a minute, and then remembered the phrase that “Age and cunning will always win out over youth and strength!”

I knew Suzanne would be at the finish line with the camera. As I turned the corner at Mile 13, I heard Suzanne screaming at the top of her lungs, a real feat after standing and talking all day Saturday at her S.O.A.R! Workshop (she’s quite hoarse now). I finished in 1:57:45, a pace of 8:59 per mile, #597 of 1725 overall. Just for info, the young boy in the photo jumped in to run with his mom just a few yards back; he did not run the entire 13 miles!

I was very happy, but really whooped. Suzanne snapped some photos of me looking like something the cat drug in, and asked, “Ty, how do you feel?” My initial response was, “Well, I have felt better.” She was probably wondering if she should call a stretcher bearer. In a few minutes, I was feeling much better. 

Chris finished shortly after me, looking strong in spite of those sticky shoes... 

We posed together at the edge of the “racers corral”.  

Here’s Chris posing with his medal; he looks pretty chipper, for a young guy. 

By then I was feeling half-human again, and more than a bit hungry. Chris and I got in the food line with this guy in a tutu; by the way, we were not running with strange people like that! I just grabbed a slice of pizza and a couple of snacks, because I knew that I couldn’t kill my appetite with junk when Chris’ lovely wife Gina was at home making us a huge gourmet brunch. She had given up coming to the race to spend the morning cooking; she is a Saint!  

Suzanne and I drove back to The Bus where I needed a shower (you think?). I was already starting to stiffen up, and wasn’t looking forward to all the bending required in getting our motor coach ready to travel.  This involves disconnecting and coiling the electric cord and hoses, bringing in the slide-outs, leveling feet, then driving the bus to the pump out and going through all of that necessary (and sometimes Yucky) RV business.  To my delight and surprise, Lo! My Lovely, Considerate, Loving Bride had done everything for me! All I had to do was get my shower and we were off to brunch! Yay!

We arrived at Chris and Gina’s beautiful house in a neat, established neighborhood with big trees (much nicer than many suburban developments with no trees). To our amazement, Gina had not only prepared a brunch; she had prepared A Feast! Two different quiches (yes, Real Men do eat quiche!), bacon, sausage, home fries, coffee cake, and a fresh fruit salad; it was just what Chris and I needed after a 13 miler, and Suzanne after an all-day workshop. 

But the fun didn’t stop with the fabulous gourmet meal. Gina and Chris had put together a Rochester area “goodie basket” for us to bring back to Florida (if it lasts that long).  They said it was to thank us for letting Chris tell our story and for us coming to Rochester, but it is we who should be thanking them.  Rochesterians who read this will recognize Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Sauce, Bill Gray’s Hot Sauce, Mario Daniele’s Marinara Sauce, Dr. Konstantin Frank Chardonay, Casa Larga Brut Champagne, Rochester Tee Shirts, Wegman’s Apple Cider, Dundee Oktoberfest Beer, McIntosh apples, Highland Lilac Body Lotion, lilac soap, a yellow butterfly wind chime, a sign reading “Home is where you park the RV”, and even handmade doggie treats for Rudy and Gretchen. Thanks, Gina and Chris, for your thoughtfulness and generosity. 

I had walked Rudy and Gretchen just before we left Chris and Gina’s, and left a small orange “doggy bag” on the ground by the door to The Bus, thinking I would pick it up just before departing and drop it in Chris’ trash can. Unfortunately, in those busy moments of turning The Bus around, hooking up the car, and getting/giving hugs all around, I forgot completely about it... uh-oh... when I was driving down a mountain road in northern Pennsylvania, I remembered it with shock and asked Suzanne to call Chris. “Chris, you gave us this wonderful gift basket, and we left you a little present in a bag in your front yard by the street; do NOT open the bag... it goes straight to the trash can!” Sorry, Chris...

We drove south in gathering darkness to Harrisburg, PA, where My Lovely Bride was born. Arriving at our luxury campground (another Wal-Mart parking lot) at 2000 (8:00 PM) in complete darkness, we were bushed, but had the delicious leftover brunch that Gina had thoughtfully packed for us for dinner.  After a good night’s sleep, Suzanne went for a bike ride while I nursed my sore leg muscles. She looks a lot more energetic than I do right now.  You will notice the jacket.  It is time to head south!