Team Hot Rock Hyannis style

Ahhh. So many of you have been wondering where has Evil Twin #2 disappeared to again? Yes, she has made a singular posting this year, but has returned to squirreling away her wisdom and stories to coworkers, friends, etc.. But luckily, this weekend I had an ET#2 sighting to report to all our readers.

About 2 weeks ago, B, S, Coach M and I were eating dinner at Rani, a local Indian restaurant. We were talking about running (jogging) and how B was ready to run something as long as it was not anything as crazy as the Derry, NH 16 mile Boston Prep. I mentioned that I had wanted to do the Hyannis Marathon relay, but was too lazy to assemble a team. Since there were four people sitting at the table, why didn't the four of us run it? Brilliant.

Unfortunately, S had to interview the disaffected youth of America for entrance into Columbia University. That meant a rapid search for a fourth runner. B, Coach M, and I had less than 8 hours to find this person. I cajoled, coerced, and pleaded with my friends in Boston and got nowhere. Then I remembered something: ET#2 can always be convinced to do something crazy. And what is crazier than taking a four hour train ride followed by an hour and a half in a car to run 5.8 miles in the freezing cold on the Cape.

Luckily, I was right. She was easily lured by the insanity of the idea, and thus Team Hot Rock was complete, ready to go.

Sunday was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the winds died down, and the temperature seemed mild compared to the sub freezing numbers of late. Captain B picked us up and we had a uneventful ride down. Well, ET#2 did find a long blond hair in the peanut butter and jelly sandwich I made, but she seemed to survive. Oh and my bladder almost burst in the car just as we hit Cape traffic. Good thing there is a Dunkin' Donuts every other block in Massachusetts.

We got our numbers at the Sheraton Four Points grand ballroom and set our strategy, which was to follow the course and run. Then ET#2 and B had to drive off to the second location because they were running the 2nd and 4th legs of the race respectively. I was to stay behind with Coach M at the start line to await ET#2.

After watching Coach M start the race, I roamed around the halls of the hotel, looking at the vendors wares. Everything was a must haves: sweat-wicking headbands, gps synchronizing watches, new orthotics, special shoes, special shirts, and high performance drinks. I drank some water and sat down when my phone rang.

Captain B said, "ET#2 just left 3 minutes ago. It was a funny hand-off. Coach M went right by me and I heard her say isn't that him. Anyway she should be there in an hour."

I went outside 50 minutes later. It was chilly and the relay line was teaming with people who did not belong. I tried to be zen about it, when all I really wanted to do was shove those spectators out of the way. Instead, I waited by a huge Korean contingent who were standing right before the relay start lane. Even without my glasses I saw ET#2 barreling towards me. I shouted her name to no avail. However, we did have a smooth hand-off and I was off.

When I got to the next relay station, I decided to fake sprint it in. I pumped my arms and started huffing and puffing. Captain B and Coach M were not impressed. Captain B was off and smoked the end of the race.

We all met B at the finish line and received our medals in a job well done. McDonald's and Dunkin' Donuts was our reward on our drive home.

So what is the moral of this story: you can always count on your evil twin and friends to do something crazy with you. Evil Twin #2's take on the weekend to follow shortly (or so she says).