June 2005 - OK, so after my initial foray into the world of long-distance running, I guess you could say
that I'm not exactly cut out for this. I think I'm the type of person who needs to have a focus or a goal during
my athletic endeavors, so as not to concentrate fully on how fat and out-of-shape I am. When I play
basketball, I am too involved in kicking the ball out of bounds by accident to realize how tired I am. During
a hockey game, I have to focus on whether or not my teammates may be planning a cross-check into the
boards on me (Randy). Even when I swim, I have to concentrate on breathing and I can sort of detach
from the hideousness of the activity itself. With this whole running thing...I'm not so lucky.
With every step, I can feel the pain in my arthritic knees and I imagine that a good deal of it is created
by the compression of cartilage in my joints created by the massive weight of my torso, stomach and
posterior. Yup, it's due to what doctor's refer to clinically as: Being Tubby.
Nonetheless, I figured that the summer
would be a good time to grab the bull by
the horns and maybe extend my
discomfort a little longer. Hence, my
entry in the Blessing of the Fleet Race in
Narragansett, RI. The beauty of this
event is that the course winds through
one of the most beautiful parts of the
world. Narragansett sits on the shores of
the Atlantic Ocean and the race coordinators have designed an awesome route that runs along the water
for a portion of the race and then evolves into winding roads through farmland and small communities.
Not only that but the distance (10 miles) seems to be a little more agreeable to my knees, legs, back,
neck, stomach, arms, feet, wrists, ears, ankles, nose and hips.
Before the shot of the pistol, I arrived at the starting line to take my place alongside the elite runners. I
figured they'd feel pretty good about themselves when they sprinted off and I stood there pretending to be
slow, fat and tired...ok, so I wasn't pretending but I've got to admit to being really concerned for their
self-esteem. Or not.
In any case, the race began and I was feeling pretty good. I got to enjoy the scenery and take in the
scents and sounds of New England in midsummer. Not only that, but throughout the course of the
evening, I encountered a number of friends and acquaintances sprinting by and extending their best
wishes. There were even comments from race spectators who took kind concern for my well being. I
think it was at the turn from Angell Road onto Route 108 where a guy sitting in a chaise lounge in his front
yard leaned over to a friend and said "Jeez, look at this big guy in the cutesy yellow shirt. His knees are
gonna feel that in the morning!". To which he and his buddy began peeling with laughter.
So I had a couple of laughs and after an hour and a half or so, I was actually nearing the finish line!!!
With a final sprint over the last 15 feet or so, I broke the tape and was immediately contacted by the
media. I had apparently broken a number of records in my weight class and my final race standing of
4,348th place was a career best.
After crossing the line, I was met by my brother, Scott, who presented me with a medal for my
achievement. I remember being a kid and whining about something or another and having my brother
and sister ask if I 'wanted a medal' when I would make some ridiculous declaration ("I just got home from
school"). Well Scott, thanks for finally making my dream come true...Ha!!
The Narragansett Towers & Coast Guard House Pt. Judith Light
that I'm not exactly cut out for this. I think I'm the type of person who needs to have a focus or a goal during
my athletic endeavors, so as not to concentrate fully on how fat and out-of-shape I am. When I play
basketball, I am too involved in kicking the ball out of bounds by accident to realize how tired I am. During
a hockey game, I have to focus on whether or not my teammates may be planning a cross-check into the
boards on me (Randy). Even when I swim, I have to concentrate on breathing and I can sort of detach
from the hideousness of the activity itself. With this whole running thing...I'm not so lucky.
With every step, I can feel the pain in my arthritic knees and I imagine that a good deal of it is created
by the compression of cartilage in my joints created by the massive weight of my torso, stomach and
posterior. Yup, it's due to what doctor's refer to clinically as: Being Tubby.
Nonetheless, I figured that the summer
would be a good time to grab the bull by
the horns and maybe extend my
discomfort a little longer. Hence, my
entry in the Blessing of the Fleet Race in
Narragansett, RI. The beauty of this
event is that the course winds through
one of the most beautiful parts of the
world. Narragansett sits on the shores of
the Atlantic Ocean and the race coordinators have designed an awesome route that runs along the water
for a portion of the race and then evolves into winding roads through farmland and small communities.
Not only that but the distance (10 miles) seems to be a little more agreeable to my knees, legs, back,
neck, stomach, arms, feet, wrists, ears, ankles, nose and hips.
Before the shot of the pistol, I arrived at the starting line to take my place alongside the elite runners. I
figured they'd feel pretty good about themselves when they sprinted off and I stood there pretending to be
slow, fat and tired...ok, so I wasn't pretending but I've got to admit to being really concerned for their
self-esteem. Or not.
In any case, the race began and I was feeling pretty good. I got to enjoy the scenery and take in the
scents and sounds of New England in midsummer. Not only that, but throughout the course of the
evening, I encountered a number of friends and acquaintances sprinting by and extending their best
wishes. There were even comments from race spectators who took kind concern for my well being. I
think it was at the turn from Angell Road onto Route 108 where a guy sitting in a chaise lounge in his front
yard leaned over to a friend and said "Jeez, look at this big guy in the cutesy yellow shirt. His knees are
gonna feel that in the morning!". To which he and his buddy began peeling with laughter.
So I had a couple of laughs and after an hour and a half or so, I was actually nearing the finish line!!!
With a final sprint over the last 15 feet or so, I broke the tape and was immediately contacted by the
media. I had apparently broken a number of records in my weight class and my final race standing of
4,348th place was a career best.
After crossing the line, I was met by my brother, Scott, who presented me with a medal for my
achievement. I remember being a kid and whining about something or another and having my brother
and sister ask if I 'wanted a medal' when I would make some ridiculous declaration ("I just got home from
school"). Well Scott, thanks for finally making my dream come true...Ha!!
The Narragansett Towers & Coast Guard House Pt. Judith Light
Blessing of the Fleet & The Run For Kerry
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Summer 2005
