Salem, Oregon's
Running & Walking Club Site
Home of
Willamette Valley Road Runners (WVRR)
www.WVRoadrunners.org.

First Run

Having run Hood to coast for the past 15 years, it became an event, during which one celebrates the end of summer; a familiar event with few surprises. This year, however, my team, the Y’s Guys, a team that had done all but the first two relays, was omitted by the lottery system. As a result, my running partner, Pati Swearinger, and I had to scramble to find a new team. Pati called Kim Helterline, and secured spots for us on the Forbidden Fruits team.

This new team was really friendly, had runners who had a variety of experiences and wound up being quite compatible with us. During the introductions at our pre-relay team meeting, we kind of casually mentioned our experience, but, as those things go, many of us seldom retain that information. We made all of our arrangements, and met on race day, many hours before in order to arrive at the start on time.

The race began and all the runners, experienced Hood to Coasters, did their legs with little fanfare. Our leg 12 runner, was a fellow named Scott Picker, late 20’s, married with a child, and a hardworking businessman. As we were walking to the exchange point he said that this was his first race. We thought that he meant first Hood to Coast, but he said his first race of any sort ever. He had never run in an organized event of any sort. We were astounded. A brand new runner. What an incredible thought. How many of you can remember your first race or your first run? That is probably an event, which is pretty well ensconced in your memory. But to find a brand new, baby runner, and on Hood to Coast…imagine that.

As it turned out, his sister in law Verity Caruso, had run on this team last year and had talked Scott in to running this year. They both lived in Portland and trained together, so he was physically prepared, but had absolutely no idea of the extent of his commitment.

So after we learned this incredible information, we had all sorts of hints for him. Fortunately, his leg was one where you could kind of follow along; so we did. He started out on the Springwater Corridor and wound up in the neighborhoods near Reed College. We followed and watched as he passed other runners. He had a huge grin on his face and was moving along at a great pace. At each turn in the course we’d point the way. He had no clear idea of pace, or of any of the things we take for granted in running. He was just out there.

After Scott crossed the Macadam Bridge, we left him to run for himself and we went ahead to find our other van people and park before he got there. When he crossed the line and passed the wristband to the next runner, he was so excited, that we thought he would never calm down.

The second and third legs were exciting and much harder for him, but now he was a seasoned runner. He ran the last leg, and completed the Hood to Coast for his team. He had graduated to the realms of running. What an initiation.

We all need to welcome all the Scotts to the folds of running because they’ll be there next year, and so will we.

Burke Schmidt