Brad has described for the BAD Runners the race, and did a marvelous job of it, but he shortchanged the "big list." I just have to quote from Brad pre-race description:
"I decided to join a long line waiting for the special prayer/meditation booths to make my offerings to the Dipsea gods privately."
And so did I, cleverly using Brad to cut in line :-) The prayer booth I selected had a urinal which funneled its input directly onto the floor - nice touch!
Although my sciatica had bothered me enough on the ride up to make me sit on an ice pack as I drove, by the time I had walked around Mill Valley for nearly an hour I was warmed up and ready to roll. Amazingly, I experienced NO pain during the entire race, nor afterwards; indeed, I think I ended up the day feeling better than when I started. Carpe racing!
The pagentry of the Dipsea is marvelous. Each group in turn (different ages and sexes) advancing to the start line in one minute intervals, and then, with a quick lifting of the rope, they're off. As a newbie (a.k.a. "Runner" as opposed to "Invitational" like Brad and Steve K.), I got to start 30 minutes later, when they do the whole series of age groups over again.
The day was absolutely perfect - a cracking day for a race as they say. One great thing about the Dipsea is that all the steepest uphills are shaded, so even though it's sunny you're spared the heat. The view coming over Cardiac and beyond of the Pacific was spectacular. I haven't seen the new Runner's World, but from what someone said the other day, it could have been a picture of today. I believe the expression "picture perfect" was coined for such a day.
Brad provided a lyrical step-by-step account of his run; I'll skip that. I was definitely sub-par (I actually was only a few seconds ahead of my first leg of the Quadruple Dipsea, which although a slightly shorter course has no shortcuts so is longer in time). My 1:15:42, less 4 minutes handicap, is well short of the 1:08 that Brad thought I needed to automatically qualify for next year.
The only other Dead in the race was Bob Crocker, who came by me at a healthy clip just past halfway (he started 3 or 4 minutes behind me). Two other passes were notable. Brad passed Jack Kirk just before Muir Woods; I passed him maybe 45 minutes later at the top of "the Swoop". Jack is amazing. In 1931, and again in 1940, he had the fastest time in the Dipsea (but didn't win), running 50:54 at age 25 in 1931. In 1967, at age 60, he ran a 1:02:56 to win the race (with a 15-minute handicap). Today, at age 88, he ran his 60th consecutive Dipsea, finishing in 2:13:xx. A very, very impressive guy. Shortly after I passed Jack, at the top of Steep Ravine, I passed Els Tuinzing, at 73 the oldest woman to finish the Dipsea (Els is, I believe, the mother of Kees Tuinzing, who publishes The Schedule, a Bay Area race guide).
My biggest frustration was 10 years old. Coming down Steep Ravine, I was hot on the hills of this small kid, but couldn't get by him. That little bugger was tenacious! Up Insult, through the shortcuts, and all the way to the finish line, he kept one step ahead of me. Down the finishing stretch, I unleashed my best, arms pumping, all out sprint, and *still* that kid wouldn't fold! Oh well, Debi says he probably lowered my time by 15 seconds just trying to catch him, and she's probably right.
Actually my biggest frustration was yet to come. I got in line for the bus back to Mill Valley at 11:00. At 12:00 the bus arrived. We all got on, and the bus driver decided to go get lunch! Then we finally started driving, and, just before the top of the mountain, the bus overheated! We had to wait while another bus came to get us. When I finally got back to my car it was 1:30; 2 1/2 hours after I got in line at Stinson Beach. Jack Kirk could have beat me back!!!
The frustrating wait did have a positive by-product. Waiting in line I got to chatting with the black-shirted gentleman next to me. A black shirt is the most coveted Dipsea possession, awarded to the first 35 finishers. His shirt bore #16. This was Dick Laine, a 65-year old from San Carlos who owns four black shirts. Dick's last black shirt was in '91, when he ran 1:05:12 at age 61 (not quite to the Jack Kirk standard, but close). Coincidentally, Brad mentions that this year's winner was 69 years old, which, with a 22-minute handicap, must have taken a time like 1:05. Wow! Anyway, Laine, as I discover, was the first over-60 ever to win a silver belt buckle at Western States, and has run (and won) the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim several times. Very neat guy.
And thus endeth today's saga.
Steve "A not so fast, not so old guy" Patt
BADRunner@aol.com