Superstars of the Week – May 20
by greenglove ~ May 21st, 2010. Filed under: for team members, races/events, share, superstars, week in review.Superstars of the week
By Sam Patterson . I think he’s after my job!
TEAM TRANSPLANT SMILING IN TIMELY FASHION
OLYMPIA,WA (May 17, 2010)- Standing tall amidst a packed Washington Park here downtown, stood the statue of two-time elected Governor John Rogers from the turn of the 20th century. His face seemed to smile at all the commotion around him. About five or so yards from His Honor gathered six participants in extraordinary green jersies. Their eyes had a sly smile about them. Who swallowed the canary here ? …And what or who on earth is Team Transplant?
Extending pleasantries, our valiant warriors stretch together, wait in line at the porta-potties together, cheer on half marathon runner LINDA BENEFIEL at the start of her race together, move in unison to the starting area together, stretch one more time together, and line up out on the street…together.
Once more… they check cell phone numbers and directions to the post-race brunch…Got it? GOT IT!! NOW GET IT!!!
A horn blasts at the start. A record number of 5-mile participants rally through the first and second turns of the course. The climb up Capital Way begins. STEVE MILLER and his daughter JACQUE are leading the walking pack and setting a brisk pace. SAM PATTERSON, joined by native Olympian, JASON STAHL, is close behind. They will stay neck and neck for two and half miles. LENORE MILLER and MICAH GWINN are settling in to a comfortable pace.
Meanwhile…in the half marathon…Linda (“Benny”) is cruising along, hanging tough with the other competitors in her age group.
Steve and Jacque are starting to pick it up…50 yards and Steve’s infamous brimmed hat becomes less visible.
Sam and Jason are pacing an unofficial 17 minutes/mile for the first two miles through the Wildwood residential area…
“Sam, I’m gonna stretch it out. I’ll see ya up the line.” Jason begins to roll halfway through Wildwood.
The cheering from the townsfolk crescend upon the racers. It’s a perfect day with a cool sunny crispness in the air.
Jacque is now out a good 3 minutes ahead of Steve and eventually lengthens her lead to nearly 7 minutes, finishing in 56:49. The elder Miller still crosses the finish line in a blistering 1:03.38 clipping off a 12:14/mile pace. Jason, maintaining excellent posture and form, comes in at 1:23.04 for a beautiful 15.58/mile pace. And Sam taking 17 seconds off his 2009 finish crosses the line in 1:25.10 for a season’s best 16:23 pace.
“I thought it would be nice to finish near 17 min/mile pace since I ve been stuck at 18 all season,” he says. ”This really blows me away !!”
Micah and Lenore close triumphantly…hand in hand…at 1:37.51. The teammates are ecstatic. Lenore is especially happy. “I feel great!” she exclaims… eyes sparkling and smile beaming.
Linda, the sole Team Transplant representative in the half marathon, closes the day finishing her 13.1 mile race in 2:06:42. Despite struggling through miles 7-11, she holds on strong to place 2nd in her age group. Looking toward the future, she says, “Now it’s on to Rock’n Roll…WOOHOO!”
Shortly afterwards, an absolutely scrumptious brunch was had at the waterfront Bud Bay restaurant by the known finishers. Smiles of satisfaction were noted all the way around the table. No one may know who swallowed the canary this morning, but we definitely known who topped off their meal with Chocolate Mousse decadence…to the victors truly go the spoils !!!
