"The strenuous life tastes better" William James
This story starts like many others, with an alarm clock
going off way earlier than should be allowed...this time the fog horn sounded
in my hotel room in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Heck of a way to start off the first full day of my 34th year on this
earth, and it was going to be a long day.
Quick shower, finish packing, bus to the airport...all 31 bags accounted for and checked, quick breakfast of a veggie bagel sandwich, load onto the plane, nap, wake up in St. Louis. Off one plane on to another, immediately fall asleep, wake up, still on the ground...hour flight delay waiting for a storm to move through the Twin Cities, finally plane takes off, crash again, wake up in Mpls. One journey down, another about to begin...
I stood on the platform waiting for the train to take me from terminal two to terminal one, going over the events of the upcoming afternoon, it was noon now, drive to Target Center, drop off my equipment, then home to trade my work travel stuff for my running travel stuff, with the flight delay I was already an hour behind.
Train to my car to Target Center & home its only 1pm, quick cup of coffee (first of the day) by 130 back on the road this time headed 100miles south to Albert Lea. I started my career in Albert Lea in August of 2002 and worked there until 2006, learned so much there and made so many great relationships that it will always hold a special place in my heart. I was headed back for the first time in at least 3-4 years to host their Sports Hall Of Fame banquet. An honor bestowed upon me after the long time host Orrie Jirele passed away unexpectedly last fall. Orrie was going to be inducted into the Hall this year and I felt blessed to be a part of it, and knew I had some big shoes to fill as he was loved by the community.
Made it to the Lea in time to meet up with Bob Hamburg, one of the nicest men I've ever met, we chatted for a half hour-45 minutes then it was over to the radio station where I started to meet up with June another one of my favorite people. When I was working there June was my second mother and has always stayed that way to me, can't express how much I appreciated her help when I was down there.
We chatted until about 5 then it was over to the Golf Course for the banquet...at this time I realized I had not eaten since the first airport, nearly 12 hours ago!
Got to catch up with so many old friends from Albert Lea prior to and during dinner it was great to hear stories of what their kids are up to and relive old games. I heard many stories about Orrie, how he filled every day with as much as he could, how he took time to be part of so many people's lives and how he inspired and continues to inspire people.
The banquet was great, fun to see so many people come back to the community and hear their stories, games played, teammates played with and how important it all is to them. We wrapped up at 9pm and after saying goodbye to another one of my favorites and close friends Andy Dyrdal (who I rented a room from during my time in Albert Lea) it was time to hit the road.
Back on 35, this time headed north, quick stop at Subway to smash a foot-long as there wasn't a vegetarian option at the dinner, then on to St. Paul, swapped cars with Ali, she took over the driving and just like that we on our way to Duluth.
Greg, Mitch, Ryan and their families were well ahead of us and probably already in bed by the time Ali and I started north, it was going to be an early wakeup call again...We made it to Indian Point campground at 130am, pitched the tent and crashed around 2, only to have the fog horn sound rouse me at 440 (hey sleeping in compared to yesterday!) Quickly I pounded a bagel, put on my running gear and then Ali and I headed to Munger Inn to meet the guys.
Quick shower, finish packing, bus to the airport...all 31 bags accounted for and checked, quick breakfast of a veggie bagel sandwich, load onto the plane, nap, wake up in St. Louis. Off one plane on to another, immediately fall asleep, wake up, still on the ground...hour flight delay waiting for a storm to move through the Twin Cities, finally plane takes off, crash again, wake up in Mpls. One journey down, another about to begin...
I stood on the platform waiting for the train to take me from terminal two to terminal one, going over the events of the upcoming afternoon, it was noon now, drive to Target Center, drop off my equipment, then home to trade my work travel stuff for my running travel stuff, with the flight delay I was already an hour behind.
Train to my car to Target Center & home its only 1pm, quick cup of coffee (first of the day) by 130 back on the road this time headed 100miles south to Albert Lea. I started my career in Albert Lea in August of 2002 and worked there until 2006, learned so much there and made so many great relationships that it will always hold a special place in my heart. I was headed back for the first time in at least 3-4 years to host their Sports Hall Of Fame banquet. An honor bestowed upon me after the long time host Orrie Jirele passed away unexpectedly last fall. Orrie was going to be inducted into the Hall this year and I felt blessed to be a part of it, and knew I had some big shoes to fill as he was loved by the community.
Made it to the Lea in time to meet up with Bob Hamburg, one of the nicest men I've ever met, we chatted for a half hour-45 minutes then it was over to the radio station where I started to meet up with June another one of my favorite people. When I was working there June was my second mother and has always stayed that way to me, can't express how much I appreciated her help when I was down there.
We chatted until about 5 then it was over to the Golf Course for the banquet...at this time I realized I had not eaten since the first airport, nearly 12 hours ago!
Got to catch up with so many old friends from Albert Lea prior to and during dinner it was great to hear stories of what their kids are up to and relive old games. I heard many stories about Orrie, how he filled every day with as much as he could, how he took time to be part of so many people's lives and how he inspired and continues to inspire people.
The banquet was great, fun to see so many people come back to the community and hear their stories, games played, teammates played with and how important it all is to them. We wrapped up at 9pm and after saying goodbye to another one of my favorites and close friends Andy Dyrdal (who I rented a room from during my time in Albert Lea) it was time to hit the road.
Back on 35, this time headed north, quick stop at Subway to smash a foot-long as there wasn't a vegetarian option at the dinner, then on to St. Paul, swapped cars with Ali, she took over the driving and just like that we on our way to Duluth.
Greg, Mitch, Ryan and their families were well ahead of us and probably already in bed by the time Ali and I started north, it was going to be an early wakeup call again...We made it to Indian Point campground at 130am, pitched the tent and crashed around 2, only to have the fog horn sound rouse me at 440 (hey sleeping in compared to yesterday!) Quickly I pounded a bagel, put on my running gear and then Ali and I headed to Munger Inn to meet the guys.
We were running the Eugene Curnow Marathon, a 26.2 mile point to point trail race starting in Duluth and finishing around Carlton. Ali dropped us off and then went back to the tent to crash, the four of us stood around catching up, hadn't really seen the guys since the Grand Canyon and then after a quick race brief we were on our way.
Greg and Ryan took off, while Mitch and I fell into our routine, running at the same pace chatting the whole time. Laughing, remembering tales from the Grand Canyon, marveling at the views as we climbed Spirit Mountain overlooking the city and the Big Lake.
There had been pretty heavy rainfall the night before and the trails were muddy with a lot of standing water in places. We tried to dodge it best we could but then just gave in and embraced wet shoes...
Scampering up hills, sliding back down, laughing the whole way, mud covering our legs and shoes, splashing across freezing streams went Mitch and I as the sun began to climb.
Eventually we made our way to the dreaded power lines, a series of steep descents followed by steeper ascents, made all the more difficult as they had been turned into mudslides by the rain.
First one we got to I took one step and landed on my backside, Mitch was ahead surfing down trying to keep his balance while I slid down pretty much on the seat of my shorts. If going down was challenging then going back up felt impossible, we struggled to get footing, down on all fours, slipping and sliding on the mud until finally able to gain some ground.
Laughing the whole way we made to the St Louis River that was roaring with the recent rains. Mitch and I stopped to watch the rapids before crossing the bridge for the final three miles. At this point I got a hop in my step and couldn't contain the joy I had at flying over this technical trail. Mitch waved me ahead and I took off like a colt, hopping up logs and small hills, floating over the rocks and roots, mind totally in tune with my body, pushing a little faster, a little faster, what do I have left?
Finally hit the black top and blasted up to the finish spotting Ali, Greg, Brit, Meredith, Ryan and all the kids at the end, a great way to end a great race.
Mitch followed shortly after, they all took off back to the cities but Ali and I were in Duluth another night, we hit canal park, got a great meal, saw a beautiful sunset and finally sleep called for my eyes and I dropped off under the Super Moon.
The next day Ali and I got up and headed back to the trails, we hit Jarrows Beach (had to show Ali how miserable it was) then climbed Ely's peak for the views of Superior in all spending 3 hours out on the trails before heading back to the cities.
Weekend wasn't done yet, had to ring in 34 with the family and help Big Tom celebrate 67 with an amazing meal and great company of Gramps, Uncle Johnny, Momma Foke, Alex, and Nicole. As I dropped Ali off she said I know I always have a good weekend with you because I am totally exhausted, I told her you can count me among the many inspired by Orrie, fill each day to the brim!
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