** 2004 Go With the Flow 5K race **
Team Cardiovascular Medicine Takes the Trophy AGAIN, and AGAIN, and AGAIN!
And visit here for results and more pictures.
** 2003 Go With The Flow 5K **
Cardiovascular Medicine Takes the Trophy Again!
TEAM CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
Saturday Oct 3 2003 dawned clear, cool and calm. A perfect
day for a race.
Over 150 runners and 12 teams gathered at Frost Amphitheatre on the
campus of Stanford University for the annual Go with the Flow 5K.
Two team trophies were at stake, the Medical Center trophy (which requires
at least two medical faculty per team) and the University trophy. When
we took to the line, Cardiovascular medicine was a clear favorite for
the Medical Center trophy, with the strongest crew we have ever fielded. But
how would our venerable squad fare against teams half our age? Indeed,
gunning for the University Team trophy were 10 crews composed of
buff undergrads and postdocs, including at least one castoff from Stanford's
nationally ranked cross-country team.
Key to winning a team race is having at least 5 solid runners. The places
(or times) of your top 5 runners are added; the lowest score wins. At
the line with me were CV faculty members Drs. Randy Vagelos and Tom Quertermous,
as well as CV Medicine fellows Drs. Pete Weis, Scott Wasserman, Brett Fenster,
and Ed Chang. At the sound of the gun, Randy Vagelos took off with the
front runners, the rest of us in hot pursuit. From Frost amphitheatre
we raced across campus, around Lake Lagunita, and back.
RUNNERS PASSING THROUGH THE MAIN QUAD
There are two moments of any race that burn into one's memory. One of
these is the hiatus before the start . There is something quite special
in the brief moment before committing to action. Time slows a little,
and the world comes into sharper focus. You feel the restrained energy
of the community around you. For a moment, there is silence. Then
the gun sounds and you charge ahead trying to keep your place and your balance
in the chaotic pandemonium that follows. Most of what happens next becomes
a blur. During this blur I vaguely recall dashing across the Quad with
Pete Weiss, and rounding the lake with Scott Wasserman. In the distance
there was Randy Vagelos, running strong.
The other moment that is committed to memory is the last 400 yards. Muscles
aching, lungs burning, energy spent, you reach deep to find something you can
use to catch the one ahead, or fend off the one behind. The mental energy
required to overcome the pain and fatigue clears the mind. I focus on
the runner ahead, judge their pace, estimate the distance, and re-calibrate
my stride.
FINAL STRETCH THROUGH LASUEN MALL
The last 100 yards of "Go with the Flow" is a punishing incline. As I
started up, Randy was finishing in the remarkable time of 19:08 (which is equivalent
to about 6:10 min/mile pace). As I crossed the line, I glanced back to
see Pete Weis hot on my heels, followed closely by Scott Wasserman and Tom
Q (who finished with a faster personal time than last year). Brett Fenster
was also a contender, finishing ahead of most of the other team's 5th men,
adding points to their score and improving our chances. Ed
Chang also ran well, considering it was the first time he has gotten any exercise
this year.
Now to the point. We ran away with the Medical Center trophy. It
wasn't even close. But to my astonishment, our team also had the
overall best team score(!), besting squads composed of Generation
Y kids.
TIRED RUNNERS ENJOY BREAKFAST AFTER THE RACE
I want to thank my team members for a truly splendid performance. I am also
grateful for the Significant Others that supported the effort. Notably among
these was Randy's wife who inspired all of us by jogging the 5K while pushing
a baby stroller and dragging a sick old dog on a leash. My wife Robin came
to cheer and scored the contest (no, this did not have any impact on the outcome). Karsten
Sydow brought his parents all the way from Germany for the spectacle. Michael
Pham and Scott Reiff photographed the event for posterity, and have posted
some great images on the website.
POST RACE ENTERTAINMENT BY THE BACHELORS
EDWIN CHANG AND JOHN COOKE ACCEPTING THE TROPHY
I hope you enjoy them. Join us next year for the next "Go with the Flow" 5K!
John Cooke
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