The Lehigh Valley Half Marathon was a big success despite rain that started coming down just as most runners finished on the track in the stadium. However, it’s been two days and it seems like the rain hasn’t stopped. It was a pretty busy weekend with Laura having friends visit from NJ and California and visits with the Yasso tribe. Ultra extraordinaire Scott Jurek called to say he was going to be in town for a few days and would love to meet up with us. But before that, one of our friends Gail came over with a bunch of Ted Corbitt medals from the 50s and 60s. For those not in the know, Ted was considered the father of American ultrarunning. We were fortunate enough to get to meet him twice and talk to him about this passion – getting the 100K in the Olympics. Ted died in late 2007. His son has been going thru all of his memorabilia and Ted saved e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. He and Gail went thru old singlets, numerous newspaper clippings, trophies, plaques and medals – 100s of them. All will be  in storage until a museum or Hall of Fame can take them. As it is now – budget cuts seem to be preventing institutions from accepting these iconic contributions without a monetary donation as well. Gail asked Laura what to do with about 80+ of Ted’s lesser medals. They thought of giving them to a group that upcycles them but quickly the women realized that these medals should be in the hands of those who appreciated what Ted had done for the sport whether it be ultrarunning or his involvement with establishing the RRCA. Cynci, one of Laura’s peeps from CA helped categorize each of the medals and before the night was done they realized they had 88 medals  spanning a period of 35 years for races Ted either won or placed in – everything from a one -mile track race to a 50-mile trail ultr. Ted could do it all – and he did it all well. I gave Scott a 50 K medal. My wife picked out a marathon medal for us and we are helping distribute these medals to those who admired Ted. 

Last night we celebrated Laura’s birthday – quatro de Mayo – at Kome, our favorite Japanese restaurant in the Lehigh Valley. Scott  joined us as did Brit Keith Straw. Laura will be crewing Keith at the Badwater 135 this July. We thought it would be good for Keith (aka Tutuman as this speedy brit wears a self-made pink tutu during many of his races) to meet one of the great Badwater icons. Scott was kind enough to offer Keith some sage advice – mostly get your butt out there in the heat and get in the best shape of your life. Tonight we continue with the rain and another dinner, this time Indian, with Scott and Brian Sabin from work. The three of us had spent all day in the rain doing a video shoot in the parkway – and Sott thought he left all the rain at home when he left Seattle on Sunday!