April 29 to May 8

It has been a while. This post will be more like a journal than a running log as I try to put the last 10 days into perspective for myself.  But it has some training and racing bits as well.

Thursday, April 29th through Sunday, May 1st, I nursed the sore hamstring muscle with heat and ibuprofen while gradually increasing distance and pace on modest runs.  The hope was to be ready for the planned record setting 4 x 800m ‘OldGuy’ relay on Saturday the 8th.  On Sunday I was informed that the May 8th event was changed to a Shore AC, social relay exercise. Injuries prevented putting the ’75 -’79 team together.  That try was rescheduled to June 12 at a NJ STATE meet at Randall’s Island  Park.  The last time I was in Randall’s Island Park was in 1963 running  a 4 x 1 mile relay for Seton Hall University. Will this reprise happen? We will see if four septuragenarian gentlemen wish to travel for two hours to an island in the Harlem River to run 800m.  I think I hope so….?

Monday, May 3rd, marked the beginning of an event packed week.  After a year in quarantine, I was looking forward to a week that was, remarkably, filled with social events on every single day.

Monday evening I had a meal inside a restaurant at the invitation of Linda Walton. She had invited the coaches from Hillsboro who had helped her with her annual Memorial race for Jason.  It was wonderful to be out in the company good friends.  Then at 3am I was awoken with a severe allergic reaction to something that swelled up my face and hands dramatically and caused an uncontrollable itch in my hands that kept me awake till dawn.  Kristen woke me at 7am telling me I looked like a monster and  ordered me to get to the doctor immediately.  He ordered medications that the began  gradually to undo the effects of the reaction. I never figured out the cause. That was Monday.

Tuesday, after the doctor visit, I managed to get through a dental appointment and take Arlene to her physical therapy appointment while recovering.

Wednesday, still recovering, I traveled to Clinton for a social gathering at Maggie Murphy’s house with teaching colleagues from North Hunterdon.  It was a lovely afternoon catching up with old friends.

On Thursday I got back to running with a 3-mile effort and put on my spikes to run a couple of fast 100s.  Then a first card game with the Thursday night gang in a year.

Friday was the day of a long-awaited and anticipated lunch with my dear godmother, Mary Fitzgerald, who is currently living in Philadelphia. Mary turned 96 years old today, Saturday. Kristin and I had a wonderful lunch in an outdoor setting in a lovely restaurant with Mary for her birthday celebration. She is as sharp as a tack and funny as hell at 96.  It was very special!

Then came Saturday and time for the Shore AC, social 4 by 800m relay that was held this time at Mater Dei Prep in New Monmouth, a place I had never been to before.  They have a beautiful 8 lane track.  The threatening weather held up and I was able to run a 3:22 for my 800m, the fastest among the old guy contingent.  My goal was to treat this like a workout morning. So, I did an extended warm up and concluded with a relaxed but quick 800m that left me feeling very confident on the day.

So, 400+ miles of driving, 5 cool social events with a variety of valued friends, a new tooth, a frightening overnight attack and recovery, healthy legs and a promising 800m race marked this  ‘long, strange and wonderful 10 day trip.’

Stats-  I have no idea…:-)