Best no mercy moment: Barry Scott throwing up, and all of us laughing. I'd feel sorry for him now, but then?
Least intelligent running gear: Near zero. Snow and ice everywhere, January1987. Barry and Choo running in tights, Hawaiian shirts, and sunglasses.
Most impressive performance: Bob Friend, on his 50th birthday. Sunday Morning run, then to Shoney's until we could eat no more. Nap until lunch, then a 25 mile bike ride, then a 5 mile run.
Best ego boost: 12-14 guys starting off on 5th Street, shirtless, and 2 carloads of sorority girls giving us the whistle. Every one of us thought "they're lookin' at me."
Most painful SMR: the day after 1986 Veteran's Run 10k. Wondering who was still married, together, or incarcerated, considering the after party. Surveying the damage in Gene Bruner's dining room, knowing it was likely he won't be allowed to come out and play with us anymore.
Best reality check: Jim Bulluck, advising Choo and Rob to make sure they come to the Sunday Morning Runs; he's teaching Sunday School and needs them for updated examples of what not to do.
Wierdest: Crossing the little footbridge to the park and finding a group of people, holding hands, seated in a circle on the ground, humming. They explained that the rapture was imminent and they were ready.
Next wierdest: Getting to the park early, only to be propositioned by a gay man who, I guess, was attracted by the skimpy shorts. Green Springs Park, then, anyway, was a "rendezvous" point.
"Coolest" SMRunner: Kirk Maness, who could calmly debate the relative merits of different Rolling Stones albums while maintaining a 6:30 pace.
Most illogical SMRunner: Gene Bruner, who would run SMR's at light speed, then wear headphones and sing George Thorogood songs during the Capital Trail Run team event. I think we won that year, anyway.
Great SMR finishes: Jim Bulluck doing the Carl Lewis thing. Bob Bullion finishing his first 10 mile run-ever. Lou Gibson finishing her first SMR 10-miler. Ed Morris smiling at the finish and actually forgetting to check his watch. Choo anytime.
Whenever a new person came: getting about halfway up 5th street, and realizing this SMR thing kinda had a life of it's own.
Best ever: Going back after 20 years and seeing people waiting in Green Springs Park to lace 'em up and run.