Oktoberfest Rumble

When: Saturday, October 24, 2009 6:45 AM-9:30 AM. Central Standard Time
Where: Veteran's Park (21st & Boulder)

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So Larry, just wondering how that RW Blog gig is working out for you?
Well, you know that feeling you get when you’re in a crowded room, screaming at the top of your lungs to be heard over all the background noise, and then suddenly it gets totally quiet, yet you’re still screaming? And then you suddenly feel naked and totally exposed, and you instantly go from being totally ignored to a focus of head shaking disbelief?
It’s all summed up in a simple phrase that the owner of these ears has received time and time again: “Dude, it sucks to be you”.
Remember when I’ve never been known to exaggerate or attempt to flesh out a story out of the slightest remnants of a misheard event? Well, it’s absolutely certain that this either is or isn’t one of those times. I’ve always vowed to spew the truth as I’ve chosen to remember it.

So, speaking of running, we begin this Saturday’s run at our regular place, Veteran’s Park, but at a NEW TIME: 6:45 AM (not 5:45 AM). After several months of holding the earlier start time, the RW brain trust (AKA Brian) suddenly realized that 5:45 AM is really, really early – as in too early – to succumb to this running obsession. Secondly, because we have been starting our runs in total darkness the last few weeks, I’ve personally sensed the feelings of desperation from a co-runner at first light, who realizes that they have been running and sharing their personal experiences with a complete stranger for the past three miles – yeah, I could have said something earlier, but just think what I would have missed hearing (always need fresh dirt blog material). But mostly, with Daylight Savings Time just a couple of weeks away, and with Coach K never being one to miss a promotion opportunity, we can proudly state that RW Runners are first out of the gate, and even quicker than the seasons.

There’s also the slightest of possibilities that the overlap of Oktoberfest, not to be confused with the hangover of Oktoberfest, with this weekend’s 16 mile training run could benefit dual function attendees with a one hour delayed start on Saturday morn. Although I can’t imagine that any of the RW group would be so bold and foolish as to risk an entire summer’s body of training work by going to and embracing the decadent spirits of Oktoberfest the day before a training run, the delayed start time could be a blessing in disguise. If you do attend, please do the sensible thing and appoint one person from your group to be the designated runner.
Once again, this week’s training run will NOT BE initiating from the Oktoberfest central keg. If you happen to wake up Saturday morning and find yourself there, then one suggestion would be to throw yourself into the Arkansas River and stay there until some sense of soberness returns. Also, make sure you have “friends” around who will promise to capture this golden moment via pictures.

A word of caution about this week’s run route: It seems that some of the surrounding neighborhood watch groups have become extremely nervous and frightened upon hearing reports that small bands of nomadic trail pounders have made plans to invade their homelands this Saturday. Although I feel that our reputations of recklessness have been greatly exaggerated, we must recognize that perception is reality in the eye of the beholder. With everyone’s commitment, we can vow to come and leave in peace, and hopefully over time help to break down those barriers of fear – at least until the residents get to know us better.

Also, as an extra measure of safety, this week's route has been personally de-serpentized by RW's very own crime fighting duo of Trail Zombie (Ken) and Tatur Dave - the power's in the Chalk!
See you close to first light – say 6:45 AM – ish.

Larry