Team FRC began it’s trip to Lake Murray with driver and tour guide Sargento at the wheel of Quiche’s M’s posh vehicle. Four excited, yet a bit nervy pax were ready to push forward.
We arrived at Lake Murray amid pax taking off every quarter hour. As we awaited our 7:15 start time, we were entertained by a rousing announcer and music which YHC actually knew (as opposed to this 1990+ stuff to which I had no clue.. Muse, more than one Marley??) After last-minute bathroom breaks and a view of the lake, we cheered Quiche on as our first runner. As we followed him up, we saw, as no surprise, he was quickly out in front. Overall, he finished at an overall pace of 6:52! Sargento took off next, then YHC, followed by Roundup.
Quiche made it to his first destination in no time flat. Sargento took off and was neck-and-neck at one point with some chick..who chicked him. Not that I should talk. As I took off and ended up on a busy highway, “GoldDigger” blasted past me out of nowhere, just to find out later that he ran at about a 5:12 pace (okay, so now I don’t feel so bad), then “man in blue” overtook me on one of the many uphill finishes. Man! Sargento was there to greet me after that one..reminding me to not stretch in oncoming traffic. He wasn’t as talkative or ambulatory after the next two legs, his “death” captured in pics by Quiche. Roundup took off for his first leg with two kills already under his belt.
The cycle continued, with Quiche beasting every leg, then Sargento doing the same. So much so, that he arrived at the next church a little sooner than expected. I guess the thrill of a private bathroom got the best of me as I hear Roundup yell, “Seuss!” I dash out like a shot, hand Roundup my jacket (yes, that was water you felt on the sleeve), and head up the hill past the exchange zone where Sargento had to go to make up for my negligence. 7 kills for YHC on that leg appeased me some. After stretching and rolling, Roundup was off again..shirt off GoldDigger-style running as if his leg hadn’t been tightening up at all. It was about this point that we meet up with “Burley Sebastions” (BOS, Flintstone, Gavel, EZ Rider plus two from Shelby) with whom we hung out and had fellowship.
Last legs..we were ready. Sargento and Roundup had their longest runs, but they both pushed themselves like the true HIMS they are! Roundup’s leg was a bit of a concern, but he pushed through with a smile on his face as we both praised God that he finished well and still in good shape..so much so, that he is doing a 5K this weekend. We ran through the Finish as a team, ending up in 8th place overall, despite losing to a bunch of teenage girls.
The view of the Dam was gorgeous, the hamburgers were good, despite the fact that they didn’t offer cheese among the condiments. There were also a few complaints that no beer was included in the beverage choices. I guess Sargento felt he needed something to counteract the caffeine overkill of pre and post race coffee, with a caramel coffee concoction during the race that he drank even though it didn’t quite appeal. Better for us, though, as he was Designated Driver on the way home, too.
Overall, this was an absolutely terrific race! The weather was perfect, the whole thing was very well organized with open churches, bathrooms at each point, traffic control, the best relay book ever..bound and in color with tear-out pages, just like in school. It was also so well marked that, no EZ Rider, I didn’t get lost even once. On the way home, we were entertained by Quiches videos of “Christian Tingle” which had Roundup and me in stitches, and by tunes from the master Sargento who knows every band and their lyric under the sun. (Was there really more than one British Invasion?).
This is a terrific race in that it is close, can be done in one day, no long waits, and makes for great camaraderie which is the best part. Thanks to Sargento for heading it up, to Quiche for the vehicle, to both of them for the humor..and to my brother Roundup for stepping in and persevering with a great attitude! But, most of all glory to God from whom, I am reminded: “Whatever talents, skills, gifts, abilities, wit we have are free gifts, so put away all pride.”
Thanks to all of the volunteers and organizers!!
Let’s do it again next year,
Seuss