The Inspiration of Tinkerbell and the Lone Gull

What inspires us to do the things we do?  How do we account for those times we suddenly find ourselves mentally back in a “place” we haven’t been in a while?  Less you think this is leading to some deep, philosophical diatribe, fear not.  It’s only my explanation of “How I Came Back” to contribute to the Wicked Running Club’s fabulous website.  A three week vacation abroad, followed by returning home to re-enter the job force (from retirement to semi-retirement), a massive home painting project, and the “drying up” of my creative juices all contributed to my absence.  

But what brought me back?  The subtle and not-so-subtle comments from fellow Wicked runners? (”There have been some grumblings”) Sure. The guilt of not practicing what I preach when I tell my English Composition students at NSCC that you only get better at writing by actually doing it? Perhaps. The fear of slipping into oblivion and being known as that guy who used to write for the website? Bingo!  The real impetus, however, was, believe it or not, my cat, Tinkerbell, who deviated from her usual schedule this morning to send me “the message.”  How appropriate that it was a cat who brought me back.  Let me explain.  At 6:35 AM every morning, I can expect a loud thump on the bed, a purring face inches away from mine, and an extended paw that reaches out gently at first, and not so gently when she’s ignored, to touch my nose.  This is her signal that she wants her morning attention and massage.  Well, this morning she came to me at 4:30 AM.  Ugh!  I gave her her due, but instead of going back to sleep, that “wicked” cat left me thinking about the Lone Gull race many of us did in Gloucester last Sunday, and then it started.  I got the urge to write!  The thoughts started churning.  I tried to fight them, but they kept coming.  I gave in! So…….. it is now 5:44 AM and I’m sitting at my new 24″ iMac (eat your heart out, Tim Short!) eager to share the story of what may very well have become my favorite race.

The Lone Gull 10K in Gloucester debuted last year.  It is put on by our friend Wes from New England Running, and, similar to the Frosty Four, no expense is spared in putting on a fabulous race.  First of all, the setting is perfect, Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester.  The route reminds one of running Falmouth–gorgeous homes, great water views, fresh smelling ocean air.  Luckily, both years the weather has been superb.  How different from the previous Sunday when many of us ran the Nahant 30K in the rain and wind. The technical shirts from Nike (with the $30.00 price tags still attached to them) are worth the entry fee alone.  If that were not enough, the post-race meal and activities are like no other race I’ve run.  Think you’re getting a bagel and a bottle of water?  Oh, no!!!! Try scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast, bagels, fruit, yogurt, and Power Bars for the taking.  Couple that with a DJ and great music, free massage, (Beth, how long did you actually wait in that line?) a great raffle, individual and team prizes (with money!) all going to a great cause, cancer research. It doesn’t get much better than that.

And how did our Wicked runners do?  Usually, by this time in the season, some of us are running our best, eager to “conquer all” and others are beat up, both physically and mentally, pleased to just be out there running on a beautiful day.  We had it all.  These are the results from Sunday’s race. For the complete listing and galleries of pictures, many featuring Wicked runners, check out  Lone Gull 10K Results and Great Photos!

83      Steve Touchette          6/41      45:30      7:20

84      Danny Leadvaro           30/76    45:30      7:20

86      David Patterson           31/76     45:41      7:22

122     Liz Touchette             11/70     47:42      7:41

138     Billy Shea                    13/41     48:35      7:50

198     Doug Bollen                19/41     51:44      8:20

262     Stephanie Cooper       23/55     55:23      8:55

276     Ken Hewson                63/76     55:57      9:01

279     Deb Touchette            8/24       56:02      9:01

289     Billy Prentiss               11/14      56:30      9:06

297     Beth O’Grady               29/55      56:47      9:09

301     Angel Krimm               35/89      56:53      9:10

312     Eileen Dunn                 34/70      57:15      9:13

324     Kathey Moskal             43/89      57:45      9:18

347     Shari Hewson               36/55     59:32       9:35

351     Darla Johnson              37/55      59:43      9:37

415     Michele Campbell         67/89      1:05:10  10:30

Congratulations, also, to the Wicked Women’s Open and Masters’ Teams 3rd. place win.  A generous check was received and donated back to Wes for cancer research.

It’s now 7:00 AM.  I can’t end without a few quips….

Side (and sometimes Snide) Remarks:

Steve Touchette:  So you made it to the top of the list.  You must be feeling pretty good about yourself.  Does this mean you’ll stop bugging me about not seeing your name in print much anymore?

Deb Touchette:  You got your shot on Monday.  Hope this brings about some relief and renewed spirit!

Danny Leadvaro:  Did you see your picture in the gallery?  Obviously, you want us all to know how hard you’ve been hitting those weights.  AND congratulations on winning the Supreme Roast Beef gift certificate in the raffle.  What was that Wes said as you went to pick it up?  Something like, “He looks like he eats roast beef!” Wha-Woo!

Dave Patterson:  Who are you?  Introduce yourself to us next time at a race.  We wear red shirts with a cat on them.

Stephanie Cooper:  YES!  You finally made “middle of the pack”  You go, girl!  We know who ran with you on this one, don’t we?  wink wink

Billy Prentiss:  Thanks for running so poorly you didn’t get a trophy which meant I didn’t have to wait around until the very end of the race for you to pick up an award.

Beth, Doug, Eileen, Shari, Ken:  You get the “Good Trooper” awards for running this race one day after the grueling Lake W. Relay

Great job, everyone.  Good luck to all of us running the Wicked Half on Saturday.  AND, thank you, Tinkerbell.