Last Week in Running: They’ve Gone to Plaid

Sometimes, fun things just sort of come together. That was certainly the case last week, as Borgess Run Camp gets into full swing and my team continue to come together. I’ve got a great group of campers, and I’m very lucky that my first team are so awesome.

As usual, though, my week in running started alone and on the streets of Schoolcraft, as I logged a quicker-than-I-should-have four miles. I made up for that Tuesday with a slower-than-the-program-calls-for four-miler with two of my teammates. I was just late enough for Wednesday’s run, so I managed to get in plenty of speed work in trying to catch everyone. That was a challenging run, too, as the trail was decked out in random patches of black ice.

Thursday offered me a special opportunity. I had to work a long day out of town, so I packed my running gear and logged my run while I was out of town. Basically, I worked from 7:30 to 1:00, then ran four miles on the streets of Saugatuck and Douglas, then resumed work at 2:00. I picked up my colleague Sarah on my way to Berrien Springs that evening (because it’s cool to carpool). We finally had time for dinner at 9:30. After the dinner break, I made my way back to my office, arriving at 11:30 p.m. The meetings were all good, the results were great, and I had a lot of fun.

Dear Run Campers,

I also have a great response the next time one of you says you couldn’t run because you were out of town for work. Of course, you would never do that, would you?

Sincerely,

Darrell

I didn’t run on Friday, but I did squeeze in a few camp-related e-mails and managed to do some preparation for some of our forthcoming fun times.

Throughout the work week, a growing rivalry emerged with Chris Thomas (and, presumably, her team). It’s sort of taken on a life of its own, especially after Chris’s declaration last Saturday that she is my arch-nemesis. Conversations on Facebook amongst some of my running friends have been way too focused on the classic cinema masterpiece Spaceballs, given that my team have embraced the use of plaid as their identifying, unifying color.

Yes, plaid is a color. It is a color because I say it is. Deal with it.

In those conversations, a small amount of trash-talking took place, in which I declared Chris to be the Lone Star to my Dark Helmet.

Let’s face it, folks, Dark Helmet is cooler, and he and I share the same initials. It’s a natural fit.

She responded by referring to herself as Lone Star in a team e-mail. In response to that, because I refuse to be topped, I replaced my Facebook profile photo with one of Dark Helmet. Chris responded with one of Lone Star. It is officially on.

Dear Lone Star,

I’m looking forward to this; it’ll be fun.

*closes his visor*

Let’s see what you’ve got, Lone Star. Bring it.

Sincerely,

Dark Helmet

Saturday was eventful. We all got to be there to see Chris Crowell start his 50k run; I also got to be there to see the finish.

Dear Chris,

We’re all so proud of you! You’re such an inspiration.

Sincerely,

Darrell

My team also picked their team name. Several good choices emerged, but it came down to two, with Plaid to the Bonecoming up short against Plaidiators. I think this is a great team name (even if I did suggest Plaid Romance), and I look forward to leading the Plaidiators through their training and on to victory. As for the run, I felt really good during it, despite having some big hills to climb. After the run, my right heel was a little sore, so I spent my Saturday evening being good to it. All in all, it was a pretty good week in running.

January 31: 4.09 miles, 40:23

February 2: 4.06 miles, 42:45

February 3: 4.33 miles, 42:22

February 4: 4.06 miles, 40:10

February 6: 8.48 miles, 1:26:00