So the best thing you can do after your first race in 4 months is lace it up the next week, right? Sounds like a standard dumb Blue Shoes idea. But my first dip back in the racing pool went better than expected, so why not? I’m not going to lie, Justin Pepper was tough and the Achilles was definitely sore that afternoon. I gave it a rest from my usual long run with H that Sunday and went golfing instead. In a shocking bit of restraint, I actually did not try to double dip with the Labor Day 5k, even though I came down with a severe case of FOMO Monday night. I was able to run pain free the week following and even managed to do my physical therapy homework. Sadly I missed an exercise in my routine for the past week or so and had to admit my shame to my therapist. Damn those soleus slant board raises. Anyway, I survived another severe case of FOMO at Tunnel to Towers in order to “save up my energy” for the Springdale 5k. Pre Achilles Alex would be so ashamed. But Pre Achilles Alex probably would have about 500 miles more on the road this year. So this is my new normal.
But I wasn’t going to miss Springdale, since it’s one of Erin’s GRIT races and I had to fulfill my duty as unofficial “elite” spokesmodel. Even heavier air quotes now. The race is in Camden, which scares some people away, though from my house it’s only a 25-minute drive. Plus, waffles and trophies await the victors, so maybe I could get lucky and win something. Even age group glory is questionable with my current fitness, but at least the machine is being rebuilt.
I showed up super early again to do my prolonged Achilles work. This did buy me a primo spot of christening the legendary portable bathrooms at Springdale, which feature a working sink and flushing capacity. Believe me, the unspeakable things that happen to me on race morning are worth a courtesy flush.
I did a mile or two with Lady Godby, who is having the polar opposite of a year that I’m having. Killing it with a 3rd masters state ranking. Her main competition was Jen Davis, though she doubled up at T2T and that is definitely a tough turnaround. Hers was probably minus the 3 IPAs that were part of my standard T2T-Springdale double dip. The guys’ field appears to have some kids lurking around who are complete wildcards. The field will always get more elite once the Blue Shoes tops the podium.
At the start there is a huge CRC turnout. Melody Kreiling went ballistic on social media and drummed up a big group in an attempt at bringing home the coveted team award. I think we had 42. Insane.
With the start, I actually took a few steps back from the line and did my awkward Riverdance impression as not to stress out the healing tendon. This course is an easy one to strategize. It’s essentially a mile and a half down and a mile and a half up. You can blaze the first mile, but I assure you that if you go too hard you will pay for it. I did that in 2016 when my fitness was also suspect, and I died a million deaths on mile 3. Downhills are low stress on my injury, so I focused on controlled freefall on the way down. Shannon and Jen and a whole pack of kids were killing it. Some elitish looking dude was trashing the field from the get-go. Clay Ham was riding alongside for a while and then may have been drafting in my considerable wake.
I hit mile 1 in 6:40 and change. About where I wanted. The bottom of the hill is flattish for a while, so I focused on smooth strides and preparing for the rough part. I am getting destroyed by about 20 people at this point but at least I feel OK. Finally the turnaround happens and this is where $%^# gets real. Incline starts immediately. The Achilles feels ok once it gets warmed up, so here we go. There is never a steep hill, just a persistent incline. I try and ramp up the effort a bit and I still have a little blue shoe mojo from the spring. Mile 2 is 6:58 so was definitely was laying off the gas prepping for the last one. I manage to start slowly picking off a few kids, then a fit looking dude who caught a case of the walksies. He was not too fond of a late 40s Sasquatch passing him, but he’s pretty much toast at this point. I finally get to Sarah Hannon, who I recall from Strava always runs this race. Yes, no one is immune from Blue Shoe cyber stalkage. There’s then a big patch and I see Dr. Godfrey , a fellow USC school of medicine alum and colleague from Toumey medical center, and most importantly PROBABLY IN MY AGE GROUP. And he’s riding the struggle bus as some kid is passing him. I motor forth with probably a non Achilles friendly Blue shoe kick specifically to take him down. Apparently both the good doctor and the kid are riding the struggle bus, as I edge past them and into an open stretch. I can see Whitney Keen, Jen and Shannon just up ahead, and I’m making some progress. Unfortunately, the food baby I gestated over the summer is slowing me down and I’m also running out of real estate on the course. After a number of faux finish turns, I see the mini driveway library that signals the end. I’m going full fatboy blast at this point but Whitney, Jen or Shannon is not going to get caught today. I crossed in 21:09. Five seconds slower than last week but JP was a short course by strava, and this one is legit certified 3.1, so actually faster pace. Managed second masters, so I got a sweet new golden horse trophy to add to my horseshoe collection. What’s best — CRC WON THE TEAM EVENT WITH 42 entries! Way to show out on the Tour de Columbia, and thanks to Melody for helping organize.
Overall: Shannon got the overall female win in 20:43 , followed by Jen Davis and Sarah Hannon. Taylor Hannon crushed everyone in 17:44 for the win, with Braden Crawford and Jacob Reed rounding out the podium. Whitney captured first male masters while Dr. Godfrey took 3rd. Naomi Rabon and Melody Kreiling took top2 female masters while Stephanie Broersma from Washington was third.
Age group honor roll:
MEN: Brian Kryzanowski won the 30-34. Michael Jensen and Drew Dickerson went 1-2 in the 50-54. Roy Shelley and Joey Swearingen were tops in the 55-59. Clay Ham, Phil Smith and Dave Hale were a CRC sweep in the 60-64. George Cassidy, Jerry Rich and Pete Poore were also an all-CRC podium in the 70-74. Ron Hagell was champ of the 75+.
WOMEN: Julia Ghering squeaked out a 10 minute win in the 25-29. Karen Kryzanowski was 2nd in the 35-39. Stevie Dee Dukes captured 3rd in the 45-49 with Deanna Rennick 4th. Clara Beeaudet and Caroline Keen went 1-2 in the 50-54 with Gretchen Lambert 4th. Lisa Smarr was 2nd in the 60-64. Beverly Bruer and Betty Floyd went 1-2 in the 65-69 , with Mary Cassidy 4th . Lynn Grimes was champ of the 70-74.
Springdale 5K Results (runsignup.com)
Tour de Blue Shoes 