The Red Shoe Run is one of the longer lasting races in the area, dating back at least 11 years. I know this as I picked this as my 2nd race in Columbia back in 2009, only a few weeks removed from my Cold Winter’s Day race where I misjudged the finish and died a thousand deaths en route to a 23:59. I was convinced at the time that the Red Shoe Run (then the Red Nose Run) would be my vindication and would surely be a PR. Unfortunately for me, the old course was a) a brutal slog from the Colonial Center up Pendleton St a la the current Turkey Day 5k route and b) It was the coldest morning in Columbia in over 25 years, with race time temps hovering around 10 degrees. I ran in a full sweatsuit, borrowing my wife’s powder blue hat that barely covered by oversized cranium, along with one of my munchkins’ Spider Man gloves that barely fit over my bear paws. Though I was probably about 205 lbs,  the whole ensemble made me look like I was pushing 250. No points for style whatsoever.

 

The net result was something north of 25 minutes and probably a worse feeling than CWD. Somehow I stumbled into an age group win at my next race (March for Meals) , won a trophy,  and my addiction began.

Fast forward 11 years later and I decided to give it another whirl this year. They have since moved the race to Shandon  and use what is essentially the Hot Summers Night course. Pretty flat but definitely a little roll. I am very against a) 10ks in general and b) two loop courses, so I opted for the one loop 5k. Plus, it fit the Blue Shoes undercard event trophy hunting criterion.

I was modestly hopeful of a decent race this time coming off the 19:39 from last week at SCOA. The Achilles was feeling OK, but I was nervous about some plantar fasciitis wanting to flare up instead. When you’re about to hit 45, apparently your body hates you. At least when you abuse it on all fronts on a daily basis.

I show up to the race an hour early to begin the now very extended race day stretch machinations of my tortured lower extremities. The place is already hopping, and while the crowd isn’t huge, the field is looking stacked. Angel, Jen Kay, Ed Aulfuldish, Eric and Sarah Allers, Silent H.  Thank God these guys all opted for the 10k. Drew Williams is the only person I know doing the 5k, which of course sucks because he’s in my age group. Hand Middle bathrooms are packed but I get a sweet tip from the janitor and end up doing my colonic gymnastics in the staff restroom which is huge and set up like a refuge from madness, inspirational quotes and all kinds of toiletries and stuff. More power to you if you’re a middle school teacher. Just the thought sends shivers down my spine. Sorry, Kristen.

I get to the 5k start and see that Tracy / JEDI runner photography is out there taking pics, so Sweaty Iphone photography will not have to leap into action today.  All my non-runner Facebook friends will be happy, especially the wife, who somehow sees my 500+ running photo dump as 500 individual posts on her FB feed. If we get divorced, I’m blaming Mark Zuckerberg.

After the 10k start I run back to the car to take a final swig of coffee and water before the 5k gun 15 minutes later. I’m literally locking the car when the tummy says it’s ready for a second round. REALLY??? It’s fricking 8:08. I sprint back to a nearly empty Hand Middle and make a B-line for the middle school teacher spa and do unspeakable horrors in record time. I dash out and basically do a half mile interval all the way to the start line, strolling in with just over 2 minutes to spare. Damn you, Tazza tacos.  Unfortunately, Joe Pinner , the usual starter, isn’t here, so there is no delay whatsoever. Before I even get my gloves back on, there’s a GO! and we’re off.

With the pretty flat start I try and blast it out hard from the gun. About a quarter mile in, I realize I’m in a bizzaro pack of 11 year old Kendra Miles, 9 year old Dorothy Hutchins and Sean Higgins. Basically two 6’3 stocky guys and 2 tiny girls. I ramp it up a bit to try and get some space and damned if Kendra isn’t running shoulder to shoulder (or should I say shoulder to hip) with me. Oh no, I ‘m now in danger of getting a beatdown by a sixth grade girl.  We approach the mile marker when all of a sudden Drew, in his new Nike Next percent 250+ dollar shoes, is bailing out to the side. Despite the cost, apparently they were not made with an automatic shoe tie-er.  As he scrambles to tie his shoes, I pass him and I’m suddenly in 2nd place. First place is some kid who has left us all for dead. I blast ahead thinking I’m crushing low 6 pace, but my Garmin comes back in 6:23. WTH? It felt much faster but maybe its my tights and shorts combo and the cold holding me back. I plow ahead down Monroe St but 1st place kid just isn’t turning left. I’m almost thinking he’s led us off course before I see the cop directing him down Prospect St, just one block from kilbourne.  Just as I approach the turnaround I hear what sounds like damn elephant stampede behind me, and I know it’s Drew before I even see him. Oh well. But I’m still 3rd though.

Rounding the turn end up on Wilmot and the Garmin spits out a 6:29. Man, I never have positive splits. So I make a charge and try to ramp it up. Who knows if Higgins is back there ready to pay me back for last week. I start to hit the back of the 10k race after mile 2, which makes me feel faster but also puts innocent racers at risk from getting hit by a sweaty 6’3″ bus. Drew is actually not too far ahead, probably not feeling it after donating a minute of time to his shoelaces. We do a painful loop away from the finish on Wheat and I am officially starting to suck wind. Once we get back on Duncan, I can see the finish in the distance, which helps me kick it in. With all the 10kers around I hear noises and I’m super afraid of Higgins, or even worse, an elementary schoolgirl, kicking my arse. Headless chicken commences about three blocks out, Garmin spits a 6:10. I can see the clock well into the 19’s, so I ramp i up to make sure I get under 20, blasting through in 19:46. Ugh, that hurt. And well off the 19:15 from last year. But hey, still 3rd overall and lots of CRC points, so I’ll take it.

The 10k was weird with frontrunner Marc Truesdale bailing at some point. Jen Kay ended up beating all the boys and everyone else to take the win in 39:35. Ivanka Tolan crushed a PR in 41 flat for 2nd, MC Cox was 3rd.  Jordan Lybrand took the mens win with Angel Manuel and Eric Allers also on the podium.

10k age groupers: Joyce’s TUY kid Laurel Walls crushed a 43:33 to take the 2-14.  My coworker Levi Beck ran a 51:05 to take 2nd in the 25-29. Nicole Rybar was the champ of the 25-29 women. Jen Lybrand won the 30-34 with Wilson in tow, while Trey McCain was 2nd in the 30-34 men.  John Baker won the 35-39 men while Kristen Hernandez strollered to 2nd among the women. Steve Greer was champ of the 40-44, while Ivery Baldwin was 3rd in the 45-49. Colleen Quarles and Angie Thames were 1-2 in the 45-49 women. Ed “FAST EDDIE” Aufuldish was tops in the 50-54 with Randy “SILENT H” Hrechko 2nd.  Janice Addison was champ of the 55-59 women by a half an hour.  Alsena Edwards and Geary McAlister were tops in the 60-64. Chap John Houser and Peter Mugglestone were 2-3 in t he 70+.

In the 5k , Erin Miller’s son Max took the win at age 13 in 18:27, ahead of the old men Drew and the Sasquatch.  Kendra ended up the women’s winner in a shade under 21, with Sarah Allers second and Rachel Simmons 3rd .

5k age groupers: Dorothy was tops in the 2-14 at age 9. Regan Freeman was champ of the 20-24, while Jessica Weaver was 2nd among the women. Andy Mikula won the 30-34. New CRC member Jared Franklin was tops in the 35-39. Catherine Lipe was 2nd among the women. Michael Beaudet won the 45-49 men while Julia Norcia was 2nd and Jeannette Farr 3rd among the women.  Shelley Hinson won the 50-54, with Sean Higgins and Johnathan Kirkwood  1-2 among the men. Dave Hale was 2nd in the 55-59. Jim Williams and Patrick McCormick went 2-3 in the 60-64.  Leeds Barroll and Lynn Grimes were 65-69 champs.  “Podium” Patti Lowden lived up to her name, taking the 70+ with Brigitte Smith 2nd.  Albert Anderson and Alex Ponomarev placed 2-3 among the men.

Other notable finishers: Kristen Loughlin,  Shenequa Coles, Kara Blaisure, Stephanie Dukes, Marcy Utheim, Dawn Galloway-Hale, Kana Rahman, Jessalyn Smith, Helene Lipe, Susan Weaver, Ron Lipe, Amanda Rowan, Will Rowan, Joey and Gabriella Swearingen, Anthony Hernandez, Sam Hilliard (first race back from hip surgery), Rusty Painter, Gretchen Lambert, Hou-Yin Chang, Heather Herndon.

https://www.strictlyrunning.com/json/Index_JS_C4.asp?uYear=2020&uRaceId=3459&uEvent=5k

https://www.strava.com/activities/3022058076

Photos courtesy of JEDI RUNNER PHOTOGRAPHY