To get a feel for today's race, you'll need a brief history of how "Wayne's Revenge" began and grew into the great event it is today. Inn the mid 1920's Traverse City was a port of call for the logging industry and a hot spot retreat for wealthy vacationers. One local hang out, "Sleder's" is still open and operating today. That's where our history lesson begins.
Dr. Thomas Wayne and his you son, Bruce, were enjoying each other's company over lunch. Young Bruce had all of the wide eyed curiosity of any 4 year old at the time. "Poppa?", young Bruce asked."Wouldn't it be great to wear tights and hang out with boys and drive fast in cars like Aunt Robin does? I want to be like her when I get big.".
"Waitress!!!!!!!" Bellowed Dr. Thomas. "Gimme a scotch!... Make it a double!!". He was wishing their burgers would be ready pronto. After a long pause, the senior member of the Wayne family told his son, "That's why we have a restraining order on Aunt Robin son. She has bad ideas sometimes.".
The young man strained the words, "Rastrainin Order.".
"Can I have one of those Poppa, can I?".
"I'm sure you will Bruce". Dr Wayne was once again praying that his wife was fooling around with that creepy butler again at the time of Bruce's conception.
The arrival of the hot hamburgers and fries broke Mr. Wayne's train of thought and delighted Bruce.
"Can I have salt Poppa?? Can I?"
"If it will keep you quiet.".
As Bruce sprinkled salt on his feast, the top came off the salt shaker and the meal was ruined.
Tears welled up in the boy's eyes as his father assured him that the clown who did that was just trying to be funny.
In a very adult voice that made his father's blood run cold, Bruce Wayne said, "One day father, I will find that Joker and I will have my revenge"
And he did and that's why we raced today.
Fashion Report: Asics, black wind suit, black Batman tank top and back Batman sunglasses.
The morning was beautiful, though unseasonably cool. At 9:00 a group of maybe 45 runners gathered for the 4th annual running of Wayne's Revenge. It's a five mile course whose challenge is that fact it's up and down Wayne's Hill. Hence the name. A race this size is like a good ol runner's club. Most of us knew each other and those who didn't soon became fond acquaintances. Much to many a delight, Lisa was there. She's been running more that 25 years and though she usually finishes DFL, she always enters. She's been DNF more than once and she always enters. She ran the Bayshore HM with a metal knee brace and she finished.
As always, I started in the rear. My position can only improve from there. As we were off, the runners quickly thinned out and I was running solo. That's OK. The first part of the course took us along Grand Traverse Bay and it was smooth as glass and simply breath taking. I started passing a few runners and then two guys passed me. They were deep in conversation and didn't seem to notice other runners as they passed. After coming back along the bay, we turned a corner and there was the hill. It's about 3/4 of a mile but very steep. Out of the huge houses on the hill, it was hard to determine which was stately Wayne Manor. As we were nearing the top, many runners began to walk. I didn't. I know hills and this one is in truth a poser. At the very top of the hill is a view of Grand Traverse Bay that belongs on post cards. There are very few scenes like it and if you are ever in the area, take a gander. On the down side of the hill, we were directed through a field. In truth, I wish I had snow shoes. But we muddled through it cheerfully. And I passed another runner....cheerfully. We shouted back and forth to each other through the field and when we got back onto the road, I opened up. My legs had a life never before experienced. I chose a stationary target and picked up the pace until the target was reached and than I kept the pace. Were these really my feet doing this? Then the pace got turned up another notch until the last turn. As the finish line was in sight, I picked the speed up once again. I've been getting less than an 11:00 min mile. Today, 5 miles 44:40:41. Flippin sweet. I don't know how I placed yet. Out of the corner of my eye, a dark figure in a cape disappeared into the shadows. Indeed, it was a good race.
------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP
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Dr. Thomas Wayne and his you son, Bruce, were enjoying each other's company over lunch. Young Bruce had all of the wide eyed curiosity of any 4 year old at the time. "Poppa?", young Bruce asked."Wouldn't it be great to wear tights and hang out with boys and drive fast in cars like Aunt Robin does? I want to be like her when I get big.".
"Waitress!!!!!!!" Bellowed Dr. Thomas. "Gimme a scotch!... Make it a double!!". He was wishing their burgers would be ready pronto. After a long pause, the senior member of the Wayne family told his son, "That's why we have a restraining order on Aunt Robin son. She has bad ideas sometimes.".
The young man strained the words, "Rastrainin Order.".
"Can I have one of those Poppa, can I?".
"I'm sure you will Bruce". Dr Wayne was once again praying that his wife was fooling around with that creepy butler again at the time of Bruce's conception.
The arrival of the hot hamburgers and fries broke Mr. Wayne's train of thought and delighted Bruce.
"Can I have salt Poppa?? Can I?"
"If it will keep you quiet.".
As Bruce sprinkled salt on his feast, the top came off the salt shaker and the meal was ruined.
Tears welled up in the boy's eyes as his father assured him that the clown who did that was just trying to be funny.
In a very adult voice that made his father's blood run cold, Bruce Wayne said, "One day father, I will find that Joker and I will have my revenge"
And he did and that's why we raced today.
Fashion Report: Asics, black wind suit, black Batman tank top and back Batman sunglasses.
The morning was beautiful, though unseasonably cool. At 9:00 a group of maybe 45 runners gathered for the 4th annual running of Wayne's Revenge. It's a five mile course whose challenge is that fact it's up and down Wayne's Hill. Hence the name. A race this size is like a good ol runner's club. Most of us knew each other and those who didn't soon became fond acquaintances. Much to many a delight, Lisa was there. She's been running more that 25 years and though she usually finishes DFL, she always enters. She's been DNF more than once and she always enters. She ran the Bayshore HM with a metal knee brace and she finished.
As always, I started in the rear. My position can only improve from there. As we were off, the runners quickly thinned out and I was running solo. That's OK. The first part of the course took us along Grand Traverse Bay and it was smooth as glass and simply breath taking. I started passing a few runners and then two guys passed me. They were deep in conversation and didn't seem to notice other runners as they passed. After coming back along the bay, we turned a corner and there was the hill. It's about 3/4 of a mile but very steep. Out of the huge houses on the hill, it was hard to determine which was stately Wayne Manor. As we were nearing the top, many runners began to walk. I didn't. I know hills and this one is in truth a poser. At the very top of the hill is a view of Grand Traverse Bay that belongs on post cards. There are very few scenes like it and if you are ever in the area, take a gander. On the down side of the hill, we were directed through a field. In truth, I wish I had snow shoes. But we muddled through it cheerfully. And I passed another runner....cheerfully. We shouted back and forth to each other through the field and when we got back onto the road, I opened up. My legs had a life never before experienced. I chose a stationary target and picked up the pace until the target was reached and than I kept the pace. Were these really my feet doing this? Then the pace got turned up another notch until the last turn. As the finish line was in sight, I picked the speed up once again. I've been getting less than an 11:00 min mile. Today, 5 miles 44:40:41. Flippin sweet. I don't know how I placed yet. Out of the corner of my eye, a dark figure in a cape disappeared into the shadows. Indeed, it was a good race.
------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP
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