Through last week’s 100 miles in blizzard conditions, to this week’s 120 miles through the slush and mud of the Winter Thaw, Cecil never seriously entertained the notion of a day off.
Chapter Nineteen
HOGS IN BRAZIL
“Hello, sports fans, and welcome to Cable Sports Network. This is H.R. Javitts.
“Well, my boss knows I’m a party animal, so I’m down here in Brazil at the São Silvestre Midnight Run, an amazing New Year’s sporting event that’s been contested seventy-nine times. The current distance is fifteen kilometers, nine point three miles, through the streets and alleys of São Paulo.
“Not since 1979 when Herb Lindsey and Dana Slater dropped down here and won, has the USA won this coveted international event.
“I’m standing here with Chuck Madras and Diana Bailey, two young Americans who are the newest São Silvestre champions. Congratulations and Happy New Year to you both!”
“Thank you.”
“Thanks, Mr. Javitts.”
“Chuck, I understand you’re a short-distance man, a 5,000-meter specialist. What compelled you to come all this way to race three times farther than your spesh-ee-al-i-ty?”
“Well, our coach, Calvin Benlehr, told us about this race and its amazing history. We decided in November, when the temps at our training camp in Colorado stayed below freezing, to treat ourselves to this trip as a Christmas present.”
“Chuck, you ran 43:57, one of the fastest times ever recorded on the current course. Did you expect to win?”
Madras dropped his gaze to his shoe tops and smiled.
“It’s funny you ask that question. The only person who thought we were ready for a fast race was our coach. We’ve been running in the mountains in snow and sand. We haven’t done speed work and we haven’t raced. My win came as a complete surprise.”
“How does this translate to your readiness for the track?” Javitts asked.
“Well, Mr. Javitts, . . .”
“Call me H.R.”
“Well, H.R. It’s the middle of winter back home and I don’t intend to run indoor track, so it will be April before I can see where I am. The Olympic Trials are in July. But tonight’s race tells me two things: I can run pretty far at a pretty fast pace.”
“Now, Diana, can you describe your race for us? I understand this is the longest race you’ve ever run.”
“First, I’m amazed at this event. It’s like Mardi Gras, only bigger. I wondered how we’d be able to run through the narrow streets and alleyways with this enormous crowd. The people here are wonderful, though, and so encouraging.
“I went out very hard for me, 16:20 at five kilometers, and just held on for dear life. Even though I slowed near the end, the leading women kept coming back to me. I had enough left to outkick Fatima Chechuba of Kenya the final block.”
“Tell me, kids, what does the H.O.G. stand for on your shirts?”
“It means High-altitude Olympic Group. And Coach’s father-in-law sends us lots of pork, so there’s a double meaning there.
“By the way, you didn’t mention our teammate, Chris Nikolas. He got eighth place!”
“Thank you, HOGs – a great race for sure. Congratulations. That’s it from me, Home Run Javitts, coming to you from Brazil. Back to you, Deborah, at our studios in Chicago. Oh, and Happy New Year everybody!”