Wicked Running Club

front:  Dan Cooper, Liz Touchette, Bill Morse  middle:  Deb Touchette  back:  Steve Touchette, Jay Curry, Stephanie Cooper, and Mike Doyle

As Stephanie Cooper stated, “It is one of those races that everyone in New England should do at least once.” I can’t place this notch in my belt just yet, but as someone who observed and did not participate (except to drive the car up the mountain—separate story on that coming!), I have to say seeing Wicked runners and friends conquering the challenge of running (walking or combination of both) 6,288 feet or 7.6 miles of continuous incline, all the while experiencing changing weather and temperature conditions and fighting against thinning air, I was never as proud or as awestruck to see this group of runners close in on the summit. “It’s only one hill” is the famous quote associated with this event, but unlike other “hilly” races where a trek up the hill is usually followed by a nice downhill, that’s just not the case here. Stephanie’s strategy was one she would definitely recommend to others. “I had a great time during the race and would encourage everyone to power walk rather than run! I made it to the top in pretty good time and stopped to take pictures along the way. I got quite a few comments on the Wicked shirt as well.” Stephanie definitely did not walk the whole way. I was staked out near the finish with my camera, and as soon as she saw me, she started sprinting up that mountain, smiling away at me. As Steve Touchette commented, “Stephanie is pure Zen. She takes all the right things with her, uses a sensible approach, maintains a smile all the way, and finishes feeling great.” Stephanie is most proud of her bumper sticker, “The drivers of this car RAN Mount Washington.” Husband Dan Cooper finished first of all the Wicked runners. He, too, had a great big smile on his face as he approached the camera. It was quite a thrill to see the first Wicked runner coming up that road. Dan also recommends this race to everyone. “It is not everyday you get to experience the 18% grade. They also have the best chowder in New Hampshire at the top.” Dan is from Seattle. He doesn’t know we pronounce it Chowda around here! To top it all off (no pun intended) the next morning the Coopers swam 1.2 miles and did a 4 mile trail run. Big naps in the afternoon were definitely in order. It was the first time I saw Jay Curry sporting a Wicked shirt (usually he doesn’t wear any shirt at all. He also doesn’t wear any……well, again, another story). This was Jay’s third run up the mountain and this third time proved to be the charm, rewarding Jay with a PR time of 1:36:43 (1:49 in 2003 and 1:39 in 2006). Jay reports, “I felt good till about mile 2 when I started getting some pain in both my heels. I must change my running style when running uphill for this long because I wound up with two nice blisters on both heels (the Chip Bott syndrome—That’s my quote, not Jay’s). I carried on, though, knowing that I had to make it to the top. So basically I picked the mountain apart and would run from one road marker to the next, then walk the next segment. Once I got above tree line, the temperature dropped and it felt good to be running in cooler weather. I finished in about 1 hour and 36 minutes and some change, and that was my PR for Mt. Washington.” Great job, Jay. Jay actually missed the lottery but was able to secure a number by volunteering on the highway prior to the race. “It was actually pretty fun volunteering. I felt like the official greeter of the Mt. Washington Road Race, and it was great seeing all my friends and acquaintances coming to run.” Jay also said that it felt great being up there as a new member of the Wicked Running Club, spending time with other Wicked runners and supporters. Would he do it again? “Yes, next time I’m taping up my heels, and I’m also remembering to bring underwear to the summit!” Jay’s admission to all of us that he was going “commando” spawned quite a few comments from the Wicked crowd as to who wears underwear and who doesn’t. The things you learn on these trips. And I know “the guilty parties.” Again, another story for another time. Who am I forgetting here? OMG, the Touchettes!!!! Yes, Deb (Sarge), Liz and Steve. Do you think you know all about them now? Do you all feel after reading that fantastic article in the Salem News that they are the all American, pure Wonder bread, June and Ward Cleaver and the “girls”, number 1 most together and loving family on the north shore? Well, after riding up and back with them, I will be submitting a follow up article to the News. The byline will NOT be the same as Saturday’s “Running Has Kept Us Close.” It will be more like, “F Bombs Fuel Family Trip” or “ ‘Bite Me’ Is Our Term of Endearment.” If you’ve never ridden with the Touchettes, it’s a “trip.” Poor Steve. Poor “Just Plain” Steve. What is that “little kitten” term that’s used with that leather thing on the handle? It was Steve, though, who was the first family member up the mountain. His comment as he passed me was, and it was uttered twice, “I’m going to kill her.” The “her” would be daughter Elizabeth who suggested they enter this event. Like the others, the Touchettes found the climb to be a grueling, but very rewarding race. Deb noted how eerily quiet it was and also how weird it felt to have everybody around you walking for long stretches of time. Deb said that it did put a strain on the back as you had to continually lean forward while ascending. Deb does have one slight misgiving. If she had registered ($60 extra) for the USATF competition (weighted results), she would have come in 3^rd. place in her age group! Would they do it again? Absolutely. They even managed to all go out the next day and run 6 miles. They are an amazing family. And, in case any of you might be surprised at my “poking fun” at them, believe me, I previewed this first with Deb. I’m no fool! We all know the Sarge is “In Charge.” Thanks, Deb, for being such a good sport. And congratulations again to your family for the well deserved news feature acknowledging your unique status here on the north shore.

Oh, I almost forgot. Wicked Running Club came in 17^th place in the Female Open Team category. Way to go, Liz, Deb, and Steph!!!! (Of course, there were only 18 teams, BUT they did beat the Thirsty Irish Runners!)

In all seriousness, though, Wicked Running Club should all be very proud of their accomplishments. Their times and places were as follows:

Men 649 runners

190 25/97 1:35:06 12:31 Dan Cooper 35

215 32/97 1:36:43 12:44 Jay Curry 36

329 51/115 1:44:41 13:47 Steve Touchette 53

Women 210 runners

106 39/59 1:53:23 14:56 Liz Touchette 25

111 10/24 1:54:06 15:01 Deb Touchette 52

184 29/31 2:14:47 17:45 Steph Cooper 40

For me, the actual race was only one part of the Mt. Washington experience. You get so much going away with a group of like-minded people. The ride up, the eating out, the motel, the drive back all provide opportunities for everyone to get to know each other a little better. This reminded me of my Lake Winnipesauke experience two years ago. Like Tim Short says, events like this provide wonderful ways to get to know your Wicked family better. Some things you want to know; others things you don’t. Oh the stories I could tell. I now know who in the Club wears underwear and who doesn’t. You’d be surprised how many don’t! For the record, I do, and I think maybe Steve Touchette does. I could also tell you who didn’t shower the whole time they were up there. Stinky! Stinky!

Thank God there didn’t seem to be too many other races this past weekend because right now I’m tired of writing. I do want to give a “shout out” though to the ladies who ran the Louise Rossetti 5K race last Wednesday. Beth O’Grady reports that it was “Wicked lonely.” We did, however, have some Wicked representation. Despite achieving a 5K PR at this race (Is she on a roll, or what!) Beth had “2 near misses.” The first 50 finishers got medals. Beth came in 51^st! Beth’s goal this year is to beat 24 minutes for a 5K. She ran 24:01! Ouch!!! on both counts. Beth states, “If I had only known I was that close, I’m sure I could have sucked up two minutes somewhere!” Still, an amazing job, Beth. Keep up the great work. I think it’s rubbing off on Doug, too. Congratulations also to Beth Clancy who finished 13^th overall with a time of 21:21. And it was great to see Darla Johnson out there. Darla finished in 29:31.

I want to conclude this (I know…..please do) by mentioning how wonderful it is to see so many people running on Saturday mornings. I see we now have a group that affectionately refers to itself as the “10 Minute Miler Girls.” This is a great asset to the Club, and I’m sure will help sustain a very vital core group of runners. Keep showing up. I also want to thank John Mahoney for all he does to acknowledge, support, and praise those “10 minute milers.”

Fini!