Oh yeah, some stuff happened last weekend…

Dena, writing in third person as elite runners do, says:

“Dena, who has been MIA from recent MadMayo events, continues to train for the upcoming Boston Marathon. She’s been doing her Saturday long runs on the Greenway in Greensboro with another Boston qualifier who spends most of their runs together scaring Dena about the hills on the Boston course and the pounding her quads can expect to take. To compensate for a lack of hill work on her part, Dena is pinning her hopes on being bitten by a radioactive spider and gaining superhuman powers between now and  race date. As a backup plan, she expects to cry and whine a lot. Dena (and her aching quads) are looking forward to putting marathon training behind and rejoining the MadMayo runners for some friendly group runs this summer.”

Meanwhile, Stefanie reports:

“I did run in the Human Race last Saturday and it was fantastic! I’m sure everyone that took the time to run on Saturday enjoyed it, as the weather was perfect. I was really shocked when I arrived at Grimsley and saw the entire track covered with walking teams. The walkers truly outnumbered us runners! The course was great. There were several hills, but they were spread out and there were lots of opportunities to recover in between them. The biggest obstacles were the cars. When we got into the residential areas, the police had not blocked the intersections and we were literally run off the roads a couple of times by impatient drivers. The group that I ended up pacing with had to stop at stop signs three different times because of the cars.

I’ve been working on saving energy for a big kick at the end and I was extremely proud of myself when I was able to spring the last 100 yards or so. My time wasn’t my best (32:12) but I had a great time, and that’s what it’s all about anyway. I was able to watch the walkers come in, and I was so surprised at the members of some of their teams. One group was leading a miniature horse! There were lots of dogs, and there was even a doggy station set up that had water and doggy treats. I met a beautiful Great Dane named Grover! There was a lot of food at the finish line for participants too. Hot dogs, popcorn, oranges, grapes, bananas, doughnuts—you name it, it was there. A band called Wishful Thinking played near the finish line and they were piping out boogie tunes to add to the spirit of the race. We ended up hanging around until noon. I hope you guys enjoyed your run as much as I did! Mark did not participate, but he did come and cheer me on at the finish. Have a great day!”

Thanks, Stefanie, we will! Until next weekend (27 hours from now), run a lot!

—Josh

January Cake Run 2010: (from left) Tamara, Iris, Josh, Blair, and Lori. All the ladies celebrated birthdays this month. The guys came for the cake.

In attendance on a beautiful sunny Saturday at Battleground Park in Greensboro for the inaugural Birthday Cake Run were January birthday celebrants Tamara, Lori, and Iris, plus cake-eaters Blair and Josh.

Did you ever have one of those Saturday long runs where you forgot to set your watch but didn’t care because the weather was beautiful and you just wanted to enjoy being outside? That sums up Cake Run. We were a group of folks with no objective other than to run around for a little over an hour and have a good time.

Well, there was one other objective: to avoid running so hard that a post-run cupcake would cause gastrointestinal distress. To that end, the run was a success (as far as I know).

While membership to MadMayo Running Club is free, I did make people pay for the cupcakes. Not fiscal compensation, but rather I held fellow MadMayoites captive with a dissertation on biologist and ultrarunner Bernd Heinrich between mouthfuls of chocolate and cream cheese goodness. Who knows what I’ll be bloviating about after our next run? Depends on the pastry, I guess.

All free MMRC events come with value-added stuff, like these black-bottom cupcakes baked by our own Barefoot Josh.

There was also some discussion among the birthday ladies about running the Blue Ridge Parkway Half Marathon. THAT’S how nice our run was: The thought of doubling the day’s efforts sounded like a good idea. Running with friends makes you want to run more. Thanks, friends, and happy birthday to the January people!

Reid sprints to the Murphy Street finish in his custom Chucks.

“The best most of us can do is to be a poet an hour a day. Take the hour when we run or tennis or golf or garden; take that hour away from being serious adults and become serious beginners.” —George Sheehan, Running & Being: The Total Experience

Eighteen bipeds walked, trotted, and ran a one-mile loop through the streets of Madison today. Our numbers have doubled from our premier event, the MadMayo Shine Run. At this rate, we only need seven more runs to have the entire Madison-Mayodan population taking it to the streets. Resistance is futile.

What do we want?

TO WALK, RUN, AND CHAT WITH PEOPLE!

When do we want it?

NOW!

I’m pleased to report that we have experienced a return on our Canine Outreach Program investment, as there were also four quadrupeds. Good thing I thought to bring a roll of dog, ahem, bags! That’s the kind of attention to detail I pride myself on. Or, would pride myself on, if I hadn’t balanced it out by writing last year’s date on the trophy like it was the first check of the year (see photo).

MMRC is all about the details—as in the devil is in them.

Participants ranged in age from four to 79. People came from as far away as Stokesdale, a distance far enough away to require a vehicle (unless there’s a good running route; let us know if there is). We all had one goal in common: a shot at the coveted MMJOD (MadMayo January One and Done) Trophy.

Deacon (far right) moments before stealing the lead to the finish line, followed by runners-up (left to right) Lori (later crowned the MMJOD Champion), Tim, and Chris.

Since so much focus is put on resolutions and discipline and making life better for you and your loved ones, the MMJOD Trophy is a reminder not to forget about blind luck. The MMJOD Champion isn’t necessarily the runner who crosses the line first—although it should be mentioned that honor goes to Deacon—the trophy goes to the one whose name is drawn in the World Famous MadMayo Running Club Raffle. So who is the 2010 (or 2009, if you go by the documentation) MMJOD Champion?

Lori Ratcliffe! This was Lori’s first OFFICIAL run since breaking her arm last year. She could have run the MMJOD mile in 3:42, breaking the world record, but she promised her daughter she wouldn’t break anything today and finished just a little slower. Congratulations, Lori. You bring honor to the title.

Afterward, Dena and Blair invited the group to their home for coffee, muffins, and fruit. Sorry about the carpet!

Just kidding.

Barefoot Josh welcomes the walk/runners to the inaugural January One and Done. His years of stage training are really paying off!

Thanks to everyone who showed up and for being such great company, in no particular order:

Siri, Cole, Reid, Jackson, Braeden, Melanie, Gerald, Susan, Peggy, Richard, Chris, Lori, Tim, Blair, Dena, Tamara, Harvey, Iris, Barefoot Josh, Jake, Sam, Deacon, and Tito.

Check out this page for official 2010 MMJOD photos. Feel free to use them as you’d like—frame ‘em, make dartboards, it’s up to you!

MMRC Canine Outreach Program ambassador Tito Sutcliffe

Happy New Year
from the MadMayo Running Club
Running for Everyone in Rockingham County (and beyond)

MMRC Shine Runners: (front, l to r) Iris, Margherita, Dena, Barefoot Josh, Nash, (back, l to r) Jack, Blair, Royce, Sam

Only two group runs into the MadMayo Running Club and our numbers have already increased. The gang of nine met in downtown Madison at the center of ShineFest, which was already getting into full swing at 10 a.m. The prospect of post-run pulled pork with a Cheerwine/moonshine chaser got us out on the road nearly on time.

Iris designed the route, which, understandably, was the subject of a certain degree of consternation. Truly, that hill up Dalton and Market is a killer. Margherita started early to get a jump on the climb. Next up were Josh, Dena, and Nash to lead the way uphill, with the rest of the gang in tow.

Sam (Rockingham County’s own Sheriff Page—but we’re all first-namers during running club) paced Iris up the hill, the two of them chatting all the way, which helped her forget that her lungs were trailing behind. By the time they swung back downhill and hit Wall, so did Iris, who dropped back from the pack and (gasp!) took a shortcut down to Murphy. This tricky maneuver earned her the moniker “Rosie Ruiz Jr.” from Royce and Jack. Guess we know what’s going on her MMRC shirt!

From Murphy, Blair and Iris (surprisingly refreshed) blazed ahead of Sam, Royce, and Jack down Hunter—where we forgot to TP certain MMRCers’ homes—and then south across Academy for the scenic loops. At this point the group stretched out a bit, everyone finding their own tempo along the gravel road near the river.

Nash, with youthful zeal, blatantly disrespected the Let Josh Win rule with a speedy sprint at the end. The new rivals then trotted back to run last-place Iris up to the finish line while Dena went in search of a couscous stand, thus putting Group Run #2 in the books.

A kind Town of Madison police officer acted as MMRC photographer (he couldn’t say no, after all, the sheriff is in the club!).

By the time we all hit the finish, ShineFest was rocking! The streets were packed with fest-goers, old ‘shine-running hot rods, race cars from NASCAR legends like Junior Johnson and Neil Bonnett, BBQ, bluegrass music, crafts, and funnel cakes. Also? The newly ubiquitous fried butter.

Winners of the door prizes: Royce (Dan River Coffee House gift certificate) and Margherita (fudge from the Madison Fudge Shoppe).

Missed but not forgotten: Tamara and Harvey, who were called away to Chapel Hill.

Join MMRC on the next group run and find yourself in the recap!
Watch this site for dates and times.

Intrepid runners of the MMRC Inaugural Group Run (from left): Dena, Blair (front), Tamara, Barefoot Josh, Iris (thanks, Photoshop!)

Allen Ginsberg once said, “First thought, best thought.” I guess I’m not a beat poet, because my first thought this morning was “go back to sleep.” Maybe the second thought would be better…

“It’s too cold outside.” Nope.

“Make coffee.” Ding ding ding! Third thought, best thought.

Iris and I managed to make our way to Farris Park, only one minute late. Let the record show: In attendance for the inaugural MadMayo Running Club Group Run were Josh (me) and Iris Sutcliffe, Dena and Blair Harris, and Tamara McLendon.

The sun had been up for maybe 20 minutes, and the lake was steaming. We were running into a Bob Ross painting. After about three-fourths of a mile we started to break up in our individual paces, and everyone ran between 60 and 70 minutes. We only stopped to sip some water, blow some noses, and do our best Gypsy Rose Lee impression, peeling off the layers as we warmed up.

There was little time for chit-chat after the run; our damp clothes were starting to freeze. The frost on my hat was very fashion-forward, I think. I might have to grow my beard long this winter, because what’s cooler than an ice beard? Or, for that matter, grosser, when you think about it?

It was a great start for the club.

The Route:
Farris Memorial Park, Mayodan. 1-mile loop around the pond. Scenic, rolling hills, good birding opportunities while running.