I have always wanted to run the Congress Avenue Mile. It seemed like such a cool course. Starting at the Capital Building and running down the six-lane Congress Avenue, slightly downhill for about 1200 meters. It sounded like great fun…but when I arrived in Austin, I found out the disappointing news. Fox7 anchor, Dennis de la Pena, told me the news on Friday afternoon that Run Tex had to change the course due to Paramount Theaters having an earlier permit to use the upper portion of Congress Avenue. So Run Tex did what they could and made an out and back course with four turns and with the second quarter slightly uphill. This is not what I expected for the course, but after feeling “deflated” on Friday – it was time to center my focus to run under 5 minutes on this new course.

I won the Master’s Heat in 4:50 (the heat was 40-59 years old). Right behind me was Austin resident, Ros Hill, who also felt “deflated” on hearing about the course change. Ros and I did a cool down run together. He showed me the “old” course and the University of Texas football stadium. It was inspiring to meet Ros as he coaches older athletes to reach their own potential, can still dunk a basketball at 48 years old, and has a passion for art as well. I love the logo on his shirt for the older athlete “45 and Up.” I will have to return to Austin next year for the Congress Avenue Mile to not only defend my Master’s title, but also to finally run the “old” course from the Capital building .




I flew back to Florida on Saturday afternoon to prepare for two races next weekend. I race The Ogden Mile in Wheeling, West Virginia on Friday evening and then race the Memorial Mile in Boardman, Ohio. This will be my quickest turnaround time for recovery between two events this summer. My plan will be to “go low” on their quick course in West Virginia and hang on under five minutes in Ohio.

I have been having problems with my racing orthotic over the past month as it is not providing enough support. I actually ran the Congress Avenue Mile in my heavier training orthotic as I was feeling tightness in my heels due to plantar fasciitis (I had a bad case of it in 2003 after trying a light, small heel racing shoe). I do not want to feel that discomfort again, so I am trying to “nip it in the bud” and rebuild a new racing orthotic this week. Thanks to my sponsor, Faklis Orthotics, I will be pain-free very soon.

Tarpon Springs, FL made the ceremonial first race a very special day. The course went from Faklis Department Store to the Sponge Docks. Twenty minutes before race time Fox News Show “Good Day” ran a LIVE feed to the start of the race. So I had a 4 minute interview with Good Day anchor, Ray Collins.



Vasile Faklis who put the whole event together said a few words, Father Michael blessed the proceedings, and Mayor Beverly Billiris inaugurated the event. The race was filmed by Bayou Productions. The film crew at Bayou Productions used a “clown car,” an electric, cool golf cart that goes 30mph down the road, to shoot the race. We had a police car leading the race and a policeman on a Segway following the racers. 

Running with me in the event was a few of Tarpon Springs finest young athletes: my race pacer was Anthony Velardocchia, a former Tarpon Springs high school cross country and track athlete who is now the assistant coach and will be attending Hellenic College in Brookline, MA in the fall.  We were graced by two beautiful runners, Marianna Karavokiros and Kailand Cosgrove. Marianna is a Tarpon Springs high school student who is a member of the Greek Junior National Track and Field Team. Kailand is also a Tarpon Springs  high school student who is a member of Team USA Triathlon team and is ranked #1 in the world in her age group (14-18) by USA Triathlon Association.


 

I followed Anthony down to the Sponge Docks and finished in 4:42. During the closing ceremonies, Tarpon Springs showered us with Greek gifts as we all received unique “Art In Granite” plaques to commemorate the mile event and Mayor Beverly Billiris donned each runner’s head with a traditional olive wreath.



I wanted to thank everyone involved with the event. It was truly a spectacular beginning to our summer journey. I could not have chosen a better place than Tarpon Springs to host the event and make us feel part of their close knit community.


I finished the day with a book signing at Faklis Department Store, lunch at the Greek Pizza Kitchen, and a boat tour of Tarpon Springs. Well, it’s 1 down and 19 more to go…see you all in Austin!