New Bedford Half

I woke up early Sunday morning with that special feeling that race day will bring. Whether your passion is trails or roads there is always something special about race morning. The weather forecast during the week had predicted a beautiful day. After having worked seven days a week for the last five weeks the timing could not have been better. I was heading up to the 33rd Annual New Bedford Half Marathon.

I had run this race the last few years and it has quickly become one of my favorites. Well organized, the race has grown each year. The crowds and enthusiasm never disappoints. Veterans of this race will tell great stories of just how tough the weather can be on this coastal town in March. Runners are warned of the direct headwind each year that hits you in miles eight through ten along the water. In addition, the final miles of the course finds a mile long elevation climb as you approach that final stretch. So, while the backend is difficult the rest of the course is conducive to fast running times with long stretches of slight downhill running.     I was pleasantly surprised leaving race registration to find a car load of Bimblers empting out. It was great to see everyone. Iggy, Hardware, Mort, Eraser and the Baron would all be running today. After greetings we made are way up to the starting area. The “call “of the start of the race was one of the most unique ones I have ever heard. With 2300 runners lined up for the start there was a fifteen minute delay from the scheduled start. There were several speakers killing some time and I was waiting somewhere in the middle of the pack anticipating a horn or starting gun to go off to get the lead runners started. Well, this race official was talking on the PA system when all off a sudden he says “oh look, there go the runners.”  And so the race had started with no warning.     The race itself would not disappoint. Judging by the faces at the finish line everyone would be pleased with their run this day. The much anticipated headwinds where actually mild this year and proved to be a welcome relief as the temperatures started to climb toward the end of the race. Plenty of aid stations and warm crowds made the run quite fun. I have to say that New Bedford really welcomes this event. There was plenty of hand shaking and pats on the back as plans for a post run ale began to emerge. We found a good watering hole thanks to the Baron where we shared our own stories of the race. It seems Iggy had worked the lost and found on the course several times…Hardware had run an incredibly strong race falling just 19 seconds of qualifying for the New York Marathon again yet proving her training for Boston is on track. Mort, Eraser and the Baron had put in some great running and made us all proud.

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While we ate and drank in this New England tavern there was a lot of humor going around the table. From all of this a new Bimble name was born. Sandy, The Baron’s wife was dubbed “The Baroness.” Don’t ask me why but I believe it had something to do with stretching routine she MADE the Baron do after the race so she didn’t have to hear him grunt at night time. Funny how these things often happen with ale!     In all, it was a great day. Good friends, laughter, beer and a few more stories to tell. In the end isn’t that what it’s all about? The stories we have to tell.     Keep running, Clark

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