The Capital Pursuit Curse (& Other Totally Valid Jinxes and Assorted Maledictions)

Ah, the days before I realized that the fates had decreed that I would only experience the Cap Pursuit on odd-number years.

It's happened again!

The insidious Capital Pursuit Curse caused me to miss one of my favorite races!

For the fourth straight time, I was unable to run the Capital Pursuit...during an even-number year.

I had dared hoped this year would be different. All muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and bones were giving a full "thumbs up".

Suddenly, 13 days before the 10-mile race and 27 minutes into a 30-minute Steady State interval, my right hamstring elected to inform me of a not-quite-so-mild strain. While recovery proceeded at a reasonable pace, I was a scratch for the Capital Pursuit in 2024.

The Curse strikes again!

You doubt me? You scoff at my dismal and disappointing conclusions?

All I ask is that you consider the following and what has happened each year that I've signed up for the Capital Pursuit.

• 2018.  First time I sign up and a severe left hamstring injury keeps me home.

• 2019.  No problems - outside of taking off way too fast on a hot, humid morning.

• 2020.  The race is canceled because of a silly little thing called "covid-19."

• 2021.  Just delayed long enough for single-digit wind chills, but still able to compete.

• 2022.  My left hamstring insists that we spend the Sunday morning at home.

• 2023.  I'm back to tackle a long and nasty hill on another hot, humid morning.

• 2024.  Less than two weeks before the race, my right hamstring decides to misbehave.

Humidity steaming up my glasses during the Cap Pursuit? No problem. This was 2023 - an odd numbered year.

Coincidence? Overtraining? Fluke accident? I think not! How can this be anything other than the fates conspiring against me. How can this not be The Capital Pursuit Curse?

Unfortunately, this curse is not the only horseshoe pointing down at my running world.  There are several other broken mirrors casting an ill reflection on me spending quality time with my Nikes and earbuds.  But before I share those other afflictions, I need to warn you that there exists the risk that by reading on, you too could also fall under those same maledictions. But if you've the courage, - continue!

• Spring Injury Jinx.  At some point between that first teaser day in March and biting into a brat on Memorial Day, I experience an injury of some kind. Some years, they are minor. For example, in 2019, I had a sore ankle for a few days. Or this year, my pectineus (If you don't know this muscle, look it up!) required some care. Neither kept me from racing or training. But that's not always the case. An ornery IT band caused me to walk a good portion of a half marathon in 2022. And an aggravated latissimus dorsi muscle had me pull the plug on two races last year. The result of too many races in a short time? Overtraining? I call your skepticism and raise you the PT tarot card. This is indeed another curse and I only hope I've not exposed any of you.

• Winter Weather Whammy.  This one should convince even the harshest of sceptics. Like most diligent runners, I check the long-range forecast for races during the winter months when they become available. And if I see that two weeks out from that race the weather is expected to be within seasonal norms, then watch out! What that really means is that I'd best anticipate the worst of all possible winter conditions to assail me on that day. Nor will there be any warning. Daily forecasts will deceive and lull me into a false sense of security that will be shattered by wind, snow and/or ice and/or wind chills that would turn the toughest Polar Bear blue. You want proof? Look at 2023's St. Paddy's Half Marathon where March temps suddenly fell to an Arctic onslaught with wind chills near 20 below. Or even last year's Red Flannel 10K where several weeks of above normal temps surrendered overnight to a quick blast that produced snow and single digit temps. Climate change you say? The unpredictability of a Midwest winter? You can believe that if you want. Me? I plan to sacrifice an old pair of Nike Winflo's this year in the hopes of appeasing the Winter Weather Gods and ending this curse.

Even these strange-looking shoes propelled me to some excellent races - all because of that Nike swoosh!

• The Nike Spell.  I've been writing this blog for nearly 3 years on a variety of topics. Yet I've never once talked about other brands of running shoes. There's a reason for that. Simply put, I can only run in Nike shoes. Don't start in with your Brooks, or ASICS. Or Hoka's. Or whatever. Hear me out! Years ago, when I was but a naïve college freshman, I succumbed to the whims of a seductive pair of Saucony's, lured by their promise of faster race times. Only to find out that they did nothing to improve my times. Indeed, each race with them on my feet proved a greater struggle. Finally, seeking absolution from my Oregon Waffles, my feet and race times returned to where they'd been. You may blame that on one bad shoe. But over the decades, each time my eye has wandered from the Nike emblem, my body has paid the price.  Sore knees.  Stiff ankles.  Cuts when shaving. Even as recently as six years ago, I again let my head be turned by an alluring pair of Brooks.  Next day, the soles of my feet ached as if I were running on miles of broken concrete.  But once my feet felt those old Nike's (and a nice pair of insoles), it was as though I were striding through a field of four-leafed clovers.  You can talk to me about those other shoe companies, how wonderful they are and the incredible comfort they provide.  You may even be correct.  But I’ll never know.  Not so long as I am under the dreaded Nike Spell!

If you've made it this far, then you've both courage and my thanks. Carrying these dark secrets has been a burden that I am now relieved to at least acknowledge to all of you. And in fairness, I make that same invitation to each of you. If you've any curses, afflictions, jinxes or other mischief, feel free to share them with me either in the comments below or on Facebook.

(And yes, this was all written in fun!)