Super Sub

A few weeks ago Jane Watson informed me that a hamstring injury would keep her from running the Couples Relay with me. Too bad, I was looking forward to running with her in this rare relay opportunity. Then again maybe I should have expected it. This race is unpredictable, but fun.

• In 2006 Diane Dove was injured (we won the race).
• In 2007 Diane had the flu (we came in third).
• In 2008 I had the flu and had to cancel on Suzette Smith. It also rained like crazy.
• Last year Jane was injured, but we place second in our age group in a downpour.

Besides Jane's injury, early in the week I was limited to bed after catching some 24-hour bug. Upon learning of Jane's condition, I called my friend Holly Starr. Holly said she'd run with me, after all she ran six miles recently. Holly is very fit and a good athlete, so I'm happy to be able to run with her.

Holly calls my name as I finish changing our registration at the race. During a warmup run we discuss family and the winter Olympics. Holly can figure skate, and I watched the women's long program on the DVR last night, so we have a good conversation.

Weather is way better than the previous two years, dry with plenty of sun. The women run first, and Holly gets a good position in front. While waiting with the guys I catch up with Jeff Teeters, who's teaming up with Maria Chapon of the Tahoe Redondo team from the Tahoe Relay. I had asked Jeff if he'd be on our East Bay Flyers team, but he says he won't be available.

About 23 minutes after the start Holly tags me in 49th place. She ran a solid time, and I set on gaining on a lot of teams in front of us. As I begin someone yells, "Nice pace, 203!" Thanks to Brian Collett for the photo of me. He skipped the race, but did an excellent job as photog. My lap around Lake Merritt is like a handicapped race. I'm well back of the lead, but there are a ton of slower teams ahead. I pass 23 teams and we finish in 42:03. My split is about 18:30, which is about as fast as I've run this course. Even though it's flat, I get slowed by the numerous turns, narrow sidewalks, and countless pedestrians. I'm really pleased with our performance. A record 174 teams finished the race, and the days when Diane and I could win the whole thing with a time of 38 minutes are long gone. Holly and I managed to finish third in our age group (100-119 combined age), and our time would have won the age group last year. The competition keeps getting tougher, and Jeff and Maria snag first place in our category, the prize for which is a gift certificate to a restaurant or running store. Officially Holly and I are fourth in the age category, but one team ahead of us is two men. It's a coed race, so I don't count them. After the race I lend Mike Rossi the ice pack keeping the cream cheese in my cooler fresh for his leg. I also purchase a Lake Merritt Joggers and Striders singlet, men's small in red, after seeking one of that color for a few years. Finally, I chat up Karen Andrews to see if she can run on our Tahoe Relay team. She says she'll get back to me. It's been a productive morning.