Group Running Disaster

A couple weeks ago I met up with Jesse and Tourist Mike for a group Sunday run. This turned out to be a disaster. Tourist Mike took off hard and quickly opened up a gap between himself and Jesse and I. When I run these days I always start off very slow, sometimes even walking the first 5 minutes. I've found this is the only hope I have of getting in over 20 minutes without the knee tendinitis flaring up or my shins locking up. The other reason I run slow is that I'm not in shape to run faster that 8:30 - 9 min pace.

I kept thinking eventually Mike would realize we weren't with him and slow down to run with the group. Instead he kept pulling away leaving Jesse stuck in the middle wondering whether to stay with the slow guy or mix it up with the leader. Competitive instinct took over and he slowly reeled Mike back in. After 15 minutes we rounded the corner to cross the Memorial Bridge and were suddenly running into the wind. I may have started off purposely running slow but at this point I'm sucking air and entering the early stages of rigor mortis. The next 15 minutes was a struggle but I completed my first 30 minute run of the season a couple minutes after Jesse and Mike. Overall, not a good experience and I'll probably be running by myself for the next couple months. If I run with Mike, I will be coming with flats, singlet, and my game face on. There will be no talking and I'll throw in some strategic surges and elbows before launching my kick half-way across the key bridge. He may have "fitness" on his side but he cannot match the irrational competitive fury that is central to the Dusty Spikes spirit.