Squiggy Inline Classic 2008 Race Report

Sunshine! Warm weather! Good friends! Smooth pavement! Jealous? You should be. Margo and I have just returned from a week in St. Petersburg Florida culminating with the Squiggy inline event this last weekend in Tampa. The week leading up to the race was a vacation in paradise. Jan and Lois Kopis and Margo and I spent the week skating, sunning, beaching and just having fun. Brian Joyce, Guy and Mary Ann joined us later in the week leading up to the event for some more fun. It was great getting out of town and away from the weather.

Now for the race report. After some controversy over whether or not this event would take place, we are here to report that it was better than ever. It was well organized, it ran smoothly, and everything would have been perfect if not for a little challenging weather. The Friday night skate was rained out and after the storm the wind came in on Saturday. It was blowing 20-30 mph for the 7 mile time trial, with gusts up to 40mph! Let me tell you, when you came around the corner and hit those gusts, it made you feel like you were standing still.

The big winds kept many of the skaters away as well as many who did not want to “use up their legs” for the marathon the next morning. Team Rainbo, however, was there in force: Margo, Mary Ann, Tom Dell’Aringa, Brian Joyce, Jan Kopis, John Mclinn, Guy Taconna, and yours truly had plenty of legs for both races. 63 people participated (twice as many as last year) and we all overcame the conditions and lack of out door miles, and did the team proud. You can view all the results at www.Squiggyclassicinline.com.

The morning of the marathon, we woke up and thought that we were back in Chicago. The temperature at the race course when we arrived was 39 degrees. Record cold, but as the sun rose higher, it was about 48 by the start of the race. 3 1/2 laps of smooth, flat, black top lay before us as we rolled up to the start. There were well over 150 participants total taking off for the full and the half marathons, and boy did it start fast. The elite field was much stronger than last year and they were not messing around. Very quickly, it split from the field with 6 very powerful skaters taking turns trying to drop the 15 or so who were hanging on.

Team Powerslide pushed things very hard consistently going out on flyers and pushing the rest of the pack to the brink. I managed to hang on for 2 1/2 laps after falling of the pace numerous times, but getting back on when there was a short slowdown. There were 4 of us who were together in this effort. With one lap to go, Team Powerslide picked up the pace, and did not let up. We just could not hang in there any longer. Myself, Herb Gayle, a Florida skater, and a young Columbian fell off and worked together to keep the pace strong. We were thinking that we would pick up some more skaters from that first pack, but we only caught one to help out.

About 1/2 way around our last lap, we came across 4 skaters, two of which looked very familiar. Sure enough, it was Brian and Jan with a couple of other guys hammering along strong and steady. As we passed there was lots of “yea Team Rainbo’s” both ways. After we got in front of them, I did a little spiral (like a figure skater sticking one leg out straight back) just for laughs. As my pack regrouped with Herb Gayle on the end, I heard him say…”Come on Jan get in line”. I looked over my shoulder, and saw Jan in a dead out sprint to catch us. He just loved tapping me on the back to let me know that “this old dog still has a few moments of speed left in him” It was a most impressive show of skating skill! Way to go Jan!

Jan returned to his group, they were all amazed, as we continued ahead waiting to see which one of us was going to start the field sprint for the finish line. I really wanted to be the one to do it, but I waited just a little late. The Columbian took off with about a 1/4 mile to go. I was caught off guard and got gapped, but I was able to get on him and one of the other skaters. Herb Gayle and the other guy were unable to answer the call. As we got about 200 yards from the finish, they were losing there speed. I realized that I might just be able to get around them and win the sprint.

I stepped out and started to hammer. I was about to pass when the guy from Florida in front of me heard me and stepped right out in front of me. I had no where to go but off the road, and had to stand up to keep that from happening. I was not happy. I lost my balance a little and Herb Gayle almost over took me. Although I am pretty sure that I could have won that sprint, all in all, I felt I skated well and am happy with the result. I was 3rd master (the guy who stepped in front of me was 2nd).

After I finished, I began looking for the rest of the team to come in. There she was…my darlin’ Margo sprinting her head off with 5 guys all around her. She beat most of them and came in with a really terrific time. She was the winner of the women’s Masters division and finished second of the Team Rainbo members. Next in was Tom Dell’Aringa, John Mclinn, and Guy. They all finished in the same pack. All had overcome amazing challenges. Tom fell at the start and had to bridge a big gap to get back in the pack and have his best ever marathon time, John Mclinn was battling terrible stomach problems, but gutted it out and finished, and our hero Guy, who we all know has had the ultimate battle over the last year is now officially back and skating well.

Way to go guys you should all be proud. Jan came flying in looking like Chad, Brian followed after overcoming terrible leg cramps half way through, and Mary Ann showed us all what determination and effort looks like as she finished strong. Much cheering and great energy was all around. You can check out all of our times at the link above.

That’s pretty much it! I encourage any of you to consider this race next year…..It is growing and really a lot of fun, and a great way to get a break from the winter weather. I felt very privileged to share the time with my team mates, and could not be prouder of the results.

You can read Tom’s account of the race in the second open division pack on his blog.
You can view Tom’s Squiggy photos on Flickr.