I have lived in Blacksburg/Christiansburg for the last 50 years. My late wife Janice and I came here to go to school at Virginia Tech and never left. We have always felt the environment and weather of the area was hard to beat. A little snow, a little heat; it’s an exercise in four seasons.
During that time, I have run in several marathons, lots of 5Ks, with Janice running more than a few 5Ks.
One race that I have never been a part of is the “Steppin Out, Draper Mile.” I don’t know why, it is a wonderful course that is almost all downhill. Talk about a runner’s paradise with runners flying, with race times that are hard to believe.
So, at 82, I decided it was my turn to try the course. I would like to say I would be flying, but I know that is a dream. But, nothing wrong with dreaming, and it gave me a reason to do a little training to prepare a body that has been around for a while.
Even though it is only a mile, for some it is more of a challenge than it is for others. I felt if I had a partner it would increase my chances of finishing before they closed the race doors.
Gretchen Tucker, the Associate Director of Major Gifts, Pamplin College of Business, at Virginia Tech has been working with Janice’s (CPA) student accounting scholarships for a number of years.
I thought Gretchen would be about my speed. That was wrong. What was true; in high school she was referred to as the “Carroll County Flash,” on the track and basketball teams.
Well, she made the mistake of saying she would run with me. We did a couple of practice runs and I felt I was ready.
The day of the race came and so did 400 other runners. They divided individuals into several heats. We were assigned to the last heat, which was the slowest, and a good move by the race officials.
To be frank, I thought that we might be last in the slowest heat. That is not good for morale. Unfortunately, my feelings proved to be true.
The runners in the slow heat are not Olympic athletes, but like me they are ready to give it their best shot.
At the gun we are off, hoping to show the crowds along the route that we belong in the race; we flew off the starting blocks.
Now Gretchen was not pushed, even at my explosive start. In fact as we ran the course she spent a great deal of time waving to the fans. I guess she was getting ready for Election Day in November.
We finished and were last. Gretchen beat me by one second, 18:09. All I have to say to Gretchen, and other runners, is wait until next year.
The male winner was Chris Nunn — 4:05 and the female winner was Hannah Long — 4:35.
It was a nice experience. I am glad I did it and Gretchen is still speaking to me. The best part was going to Cook Out for a milkshake afterward and not worrying about the calories. See you next year. “Go Hokies.”
r
