Aug 9, 2000 Course Offerings By Laurel Park :: Views- 1267

Throughout my years of road racing I've had the good fortune to
participate in a variety of races throughout the country. Some experiences
have been good, and some not-so-good. Usually the "not-so-goods" are the
result of my own preparation (or lack thereof): not being in shape,
training too hard the week prior to the race, poor shoe selection, and so
on. Yet over the years, I have come to the distinct conclusion that there
are certain courses that like me, and others that hate me. Training,
fitness, and selection of breakfast foods aside, I always run well at some
races and like dirt at others. I can't explain it, but the evidence is
indisputable.



There is a difference between racing well and running fast. For example, I
have always raced well at the Riverview Winterfest 4 Mile, but I have
never run particularly fast, even when I was in excellent shape. The
Winterfest course is pancake flat and one would assume therefore fast, but
not for me. The Allen Park 8K is the same way. An easy jog around the
course would lead one to believe it was PR material, but not in my book -
no matter how hard I tried. Conversely, the Trenton Treadmill 8K has
always been very, very good to me. I have recorded some excellent times at
Trenton, even in years when my fitness was suspect and the temperature was
in the 80's. Trenton is an example of a course that likes me; it really,
really likes me. I can feel the friendly vibes of the Treadmill course
rising up to greet me during my warm-up.



The same cannot be said of the Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile in Park Forest,
IL. Bud James and his staff put on a terrific event, with excellent
organization and community support, and a strong international field of
runners. I know several people who have recorded PRs at that race, but I
am not one of them. I've started Park Forest three times, dropped out
once, and had absolutely awful races the other two. One or two bad
experiences can be chalked up to chance, but when it happens three times
in a row there's no question that something more serious is at work, and
by process of elimination, it must be the course. It likes to reduce me to
a shuffling mass of misery (complete with bloody blisters). Perhaps
someone must be the sacrificial lamb in order to balance the karma for all
those outstanding performances.



Some courses seem to smile on me whether regardless of whether I'm running
fast. Race for the Cure and the Roadrunner Classic come to mind. It's
probably no great surprise that I love Race for the Cure and of all the
races I missed due to injury this year, that one hurt the most. My races
have ranged from the sublime (my epic 1995 battle with Laura Murphy that
literally went down to the wire and produced near-PR times for both of us)
to the ridiculous (1997 when I ran with a fever and nearly passed out at
the finish). My winning times at RTFC have ranged from 17:04 to 18:52.



The Roadrunner Classic seems to like me, too. The weather is usually very,
very hot, and in my 8 years of participation I've covered 6 different
courses. The actual course doesn't seem to matter much; sometimes I feel
great and sometimes I feel like I'm going to melt, but I always manage to
do well. It's nice lining up at the start knowing that the race is on your
side.



Some races just like to mess with my mind. The Berwick Run for the
Diamonds 9-Mile in Pennsylvania is one of them. The course is absolutely
brutal, including a steep ascent from 2-4 miles and an equally steep
descent from 5-7 miles, sandwiched between near pancake-flat stretches.
Twice I've been within striking distance of victory, only to be hammered
into submission in the final mile. Berwick does not suffer fools gladly
and you must pay your dues for several years before earning its respect.
Even when you know you are in good shape and think you have the course
figured out, it nails you. The Berwick course definitely has an affinity
for native Pennsylvanians because many a national-caliber runner has
tackled the course, confident of victory, only to be relegated to 4th or
5th place behind a cadre of unknown locals.



It breaks my heart to see a race with a friendly course go down in flames.
I still miss Playmaker's Autumn Classic 8K. That course loved everyone. I
don't know of anyone who had a bad race there. Likewise, the 8K at the Big
10 Run in Ann Arbor. I ran that twice and felt like I was flying both
times. Gone, gone.



As I contemplate next summer's racing season, I continue to be on the
lookout for supportive, friendly courses that are willing to embrace their
participants. Training, fitness and attitude can only take you so far.
Sometimes you need a little help from beneath.