No Runner Left Behind vs The Bridge – 2009

A number of years ago, my friend Kristi Larsen and I endured the Beat the Bridge Run. We both sailed through those initial 2 miles and as we crossed the University Bridge I said to Kristi, “Well that was easy.”

The Bridge did not take kindly to my mocking. And so before I was completely across, it sent a shudder through its pavement which delivered bone spasming shin splints that left me nearly immobile. I cursed The Bridge for the next three miles. Walking, running, standing – it didn’t matter, the pain was the same. And so I vowed my revenge.

Either the next year or a few years later, Team No Runner Left Behind was formed to show The Bridge that its Evil nature was powerless against the forces of good. In year one, I again crushed The Bridge, but a few of my teammates were not so lucky. Year 2 was the same. Last year the entire crew at Team NRLB gave The Bridge the Royal treatment.

And so came 2009. One of our largest teams ever – 9 runners strong – drove forward on a beautiful and sunny 60 degree morning. My training this year was minimal due to a pulled hamstring suffered two weeks prior. But we had fancy headbands to show off the Spring Creek Group sponsorship of our endeavor, and we surged ahead.

At the 18:00 mark I reached The Bridge with two minutes to spare, spitting on its ground and explaining to it that it could not – it would not – beat me. In total, 8 of the 9 NRLB runners made the crossing before it cranked itself up and pointed its rusty grates to the sky. And so now The Bridge and I go back to our respective corners for another year, each claiming victory. By again successfully crossing, I say that The Bridge is no match for me in this battle. The Bridge though, by again stopping one of my teammates, claims it won the war.