Team 26.2 Striders prepared for Sweep at Shamrock

[baldisbetter]

Lead by team captain Tom Ruckert (because of age "not speed or beauty") the 26.2 QCStriders team open up the 2007 spring racing season with an outing to the Shamrock 8K and half marathon at Virginia Beach. Expectations are high this season for middle of pack finishes in each age group.

Dave Mertz was recently quoted while training on the Canal " I passed Kathy the blanket lady twice today. I know I'm ready".

Colby was quoted as saying "Mertz is my idol".

Getting a quote from Luke was much easier because of recent changes to his training routes. Since Luke has Jaron (Jared) Hawkin's picture on his box of Wheaties, he is now training on a treadmill. Luke was quick to say " If Jaron's on a treadmill, I'm on a treadmill". Luke has petitioned the race officials for permission to run the 8k on a treadmill.

On a final note the Rob Smith feels confident that he will successfully navigate the course through the Expo. "I been preparing for the Expo for 18 weeks. I have been putting in 10 miles a day at Mall. My technique for knocking down the elderly has been refined to an art."

BIB# Name Wave Event Gender Age City State Team Name
5144 MERTZ, DAVID 1 HALF M 21 CUMBERLAND MD
5125 SMITH, ROBERT 1 HALF M 42 CUMBERLAND MD
18100 SMITH, COLBY 8K M 15 CUMBERLAND MD
18114 SMITH, LUKE 8K M 13 CUMBERLAND MD
17900 RUCKERT, TOM 8K M 54 GRANTSVILLE MD

[frojoe23]

Good to see that David has decided to become a man and run a half. Now you won't have to wear those bun-huggers that we make you wear on all the long runs!

[semperfi]

Ironically, Mertz and a few of us Alco track runners actually passed Kathy the blanket lady on the run today. 57 degrees felt really hot compared to what we've been getting for the past couple months.

[saintralph]

Just got back from talking to them race officials, baldisbetter, and the tredmill got a thumbs up! All I had to do was walk in and say, "Jaron's doin' it!" and they understood.
semperfi's gonna feel mighty wimpy when he sees me pass him on a treadmill!!!

[semperfi]

Do I smell a challenge, saintralph?

[saintralph]

I don' t know, old semperfi. You might be able to keep up when I'm on my own, but can you compete with the quickness of a treadmill? I might be bib #18114 but that ain't going to stop it from blasting out of that start!!

[semperfi]

I'll make you an offer you can't refuse, saintralph. You seem to be enjoying the treadmill very much. It would be very unfortunate for something to happen to it...

[saintralph]

BAD news everyone! The treadmill has seen its day. I took it out on my run today for some pre-race action, only to find SOMEONE had greased the wheels I had put on it. So I turn on a downhill, head for a tree, and you know the drill. What do have to say to that semperfi? I'm still picking twigs off my shirt!