Hangover Classic - January 1, 2008

Contributed by Anthony Mavilia

I arrived at Bevie B's Beachside Bar (is there any better check-in location on the face of the earth???). I was certainly feeling the effects of the night before. This was called the Hangover Classic, I had done my homework. I promptly ripped up my 10K pre-reg and grabbed a 5K bib. Next it was off to play skee-ball and arcade games for the next 45 minutes (I did win a large Sponge-Bob stuffed animal). Fifteen minutes before the race I ran into Chris who was waiting for an open Port-a-loo (Paul F. term). Actually I didn't see Chris right away, I thought I saw Buddy. When I approached Chris and asked him if he was running with Buddy, he responded, "That isn't Buddy, but it looks like him." Imagine that, another Border Collie with its owner ready to run!!!!!! Too bad Chris didn't bring Buddy, there could have been a Border Collie Race. My money would have been on Buddy. I don't think I have finished any group run ahead of that damn fast, four- legged creature.

Back to the race. The 5K started at 11:30 am with the 10K starting at 11:40. The weather at the start was overcast, cold, and breezy. Off we go and at this point I am unsure if I am going to finish the 5K. We ran by the 10K start and received nice applause (I am sure there were a few laughing at us wimps for running the shorter distance). I almost made it to Mile 1 when my stomach decided that the Beef & Broccoli and the Dark & Stormy Drinks (Dark Rum mixed with Ginger Beer) weren't going the distance. I felt bad about what I left in some poor homeowner’s driveway but, it is Salisbury Beach, maybe it was a rental. Actually felt pretty good after my pitstop, that was until the turnaround at 1.5 miles. I didn't notice that running out, the wind was at our backs, and now, it was in our faces. I was out there all alone, looking for a big lug to draft behind, no luck. It was a slow run back Bevie B's with a time of 21:16 (6:51).

Post Race Scene: Off to the car with my buddy Paul, who PR'd the course in 22:34 (it must have been because he had to keep up with Devin during our last Thursday night headlamp run). We grabbed our towels, dry clothes, and boogie boards. We made our way 'Under The Boardwalk,' geared down, and hammed it up for a few pics. The Newburyport News was covering the event, and our boogie boards, certainly not our physiques or running prowess, caught their attention. Before our sprint to the 36 degree water, we noticed something was wrong......it was low tide. To get to the deep water and surfable waves, we were going to have to run out approximately .25 more miles. We were already dressed for the occasion, so off we went. I'm unable to fully described the feeling of running in knee deep, 36 degree water for 200 feet, but if there were a sea of needles that were flash frozen and then stuck into every pore of your body, that may be a start. Finally made our way to 3-foot breakers, and in Keanu Reeves style (Point Break Movie) caught the first wave which brought us to the shoreline. Sweeeeeeet Duuuuuuuude!!!!!!!!!!! Back up the beach, bathrobe on, wet clothes off, dry clothes on, and finally off the bar for liquid refreshment. Saw Chris finish (43:09, 6:57/m) and watched him jump in the water also. By this time the snow started and we traveled to the Winner's Circle Bar & Restaurant for lunch. The ride home wasn't that bad. The snow didn't stick to the ground until we hit Lawrence. Great way to start 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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