The Valentines race in Ocean Springs went off very well considering the weather. It was chilly around 50° and drizzly rain. The course was and out and back 5k with a big hump at 1 &1/4 mi. When I got there Leonard had already set the course up and had Billy and Jessie hauling stuff out of the van. Also My Valentine for the day Denise was there doing what ever it is she does. getting set up for registration. As I was speculating how many other stupid runners were going to come out in this weather. I was told we had 84 pre-registered. Anyway by 9 o'clock we had almost 150 folks toeing the starting line. My favorite part of the race was just before Lenny started to give the instructions. Some Rookie kid said " I wonder who the Hot shoes are supposed to be?" I turned to him and said you just try to keep up with the race director! He'll be running in the 16's. Alligator mouth said, "I can do that!" Turns out he had a humming bird ass and didn't even make the top 10. Lesson learned youngun, let your feet do your talking and never ever tell how well you are going to run a race.

As for me, seems some Yankee snow bird is down here taking my hardware and is planning on leaving jest before Paul Maraino and Ken Freeman move up into my age group.

Then there's Special Ed. He can't whip Guy Truitt to save his sole and there's Bill Gasparrini crawling up his tail pipe. He did manage to get the Grandmasters though and My friend and running buddy Nancy won the women's masters. She and Guy also got the valentines Masters trophy and Denise and I got second in the Grandmasters. I got to hand it to Denise she did her part by whipping Dave Jefferies wife but I just didn't have it me to beat Dave. So we got Second in the Grandmasters

The after race amenities were slim pickens. Water and PowerAde and hard suck on candy, some chocolate cookies and Nanners.

It was fitting that Leonard and Kristin won 1st over all and therefore the 1st place couples trophies also. For complete results see the Gulf coast running clubs web site. © Bob Clark