First Track Tuesday of 2025

COVID-19, “ The Rona Era”

Last Track Tuesday I was flying back to Boston from Vegas. This Tuesday, the first week of school I’m back for track. Last time I paced it was for outdoor track at MIT this summer. I felt a bit rusty. Plus I’m still dealing with this knee situation.

I popped three advil and one tylnol. Put a heating sleeve on my knee, brushed my teeth, and got ready to drive to the Reggie. I forgot what time I should there, how long the drive takes, all the basic logistics were gone.

Plus it’s cold out. I wasn’t sure about my pacer gear. Did I mention it had been since summer that I put on pacer gear.

I left the house at 5:20 and was at the Reggie by 5;35. It was still dark and cold out. I found parking and the Reggie was not open yet. Oh yeah, 6a.m. is when it opens. I waited. When I saw the lights turned on from across the street, I headed over.

I was the first person inside the Reggie. Slowly the pacers and coach Dan came in. Lots of hugs and Happy New Years. I missed seeing everyone. Even though I struggled to get to the Reggie. I knew that over 100 people would be there at 6a.m. too. Actually we had 130 folks show up.

My concern was my knee and how it would last. It made it for 4 x800s at 10k pace. The pace was 4:45min. Which I hit and lead the people! Yeah. Oh and with a 90sec break between each 800. But the leg was not having it for the 1 extra 800 and then 4 x200s. I got through the hard part.

There was a lot of track maintenance going on. Seeing Heartbreakers, Trailblazhers, Pioneers, BMR, brought me joy. I ran 5k today! Yeah.