At some point after my third visit to the bathroom on the morning of May 4, I wondered if it was merely hubris - after running my two best 5Ks within two weeks of each other - that led me to this 10K race. Maybe I had the guts, but did I have the real stuff to get that elusive 10K PR?
Usually, a few healthy digestive evacuations make me feel good on race morning, but this time it just felt like repeated nervous pooping.
On the relatively short drive to Pompton Plains, I could barely get myself psyched up, even after listening to Phish's "Party Time", which had always served me well on race day.
I do not know why I felt like I had so much riding on this. Maybe it was the fact that I had not run a 10K in years or that my 39:19 PR has held for six years, despite repeated attempts to break it.
I arrived at Pequannock High School and felt much better after seeing the well-organized event. There was already a good vibe, with helpful volunteers and a guy with a megaphone broadcasting important information.
The start was across the street and I put myself near the front. I sussed out some of the faster runners and knew to stick behind them. Essentially, it was a big rectangular loop of a course - main road out, cross street over, other main road back, though with two short detours on side streets in the middle.
A 5K was simultaneously running a shorter loop, so for the first half mile it was impossible for me to tell where I was in the pack. Then suddenly everyone in front of me, except for two young guys, turned off.
Wow, third place out of the gate. There was a clock at the first mile and I hit it at 5:48. Too fast!! I set my goal at 6:17 - I was already heading off the rails.
But I could not slow down for fear of slowing too much, and since I did not have a stopwatch with me, I have no idea how I was doing when I saw the Mile 2 sign.
We met up with the 5K racers again and I was weaving my way through a sizable pack. As a very fit, steadily fast guy passed me, I realized I was slowing down a lot.
But where were the Mile 3 and Mile 4 signs? Into an out of the side streets, turning onto the crossroad, I waited for those signs to let me know it was the right time to start pushing.
They never came, but even if they had, there was no push in me. I was conking out from a too-fast first half. I probably ran a great 5K, but there was no replicating it. When a guy who seemed too big to be passing me did just that, I figured I was toast.
But that did not stop me from giving it all I had. I came to race hard and I was determined to leave it all out there on the flat streets of Pompton Plains on that mild May morning.
A Mile 5 sign appeared and I started kicking in everything I possibly could muster for the last mile and change. It hurt, and I wanted it to hurt.
The high school in sight, I summoned all the might I could, not knowing if I was even close to my goal. I thought about how, if my first mile was 5:48, I already had a five-second per mile cushion. Maybe I would shave a few seconds off that damned PR after all, despite slowing down so much in the middle.
Imagine my surprise when I saw a 37 on the clock and I hammered it home. As I crossed the finish line I saw 38:14. The official time they clocked me was 38:18, but I should not quibble over a few seconds when I smashed my PR by more than a minute!
Besides, I was in too much pain. Grunting and moaning as I jogged from the finish to the food tables, I passed a bunch of younger folks and, catching my breath, apologized for making such an enormous racket.
The food spread was excellent - I grabbed a bagel and went back to the finish line to cheer for the rest of the runners as they came through.
Though sizable for a small town race, the Apple Chase is well-run with a flat course (though not completely closed to traffic), great people, and a an excellent opportunity for a PR.
Oh, no apples though. Their logo shows a guy running around an apple tree. I saw no such thing in the suburbia of Pompton Plains, NJ.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Monday, May 13, 2013
Building Tomorrows 5K
Having edged out my three-year standing 5K PR on my first race of the season, it was time to push my luck and go for the elusive 10K. For some reason, that distance has been the toughest for me and, despite repeated attempts, I have not been able to beat the 39:20 that I ran in 2007.
It was mid-April and I had a race in mind for May 4, so that would mean jumping into the middle of Hal Higdon's Advanced 10K training program. And smack dab in the middle of that program was a 5K race.
Why not? I had nothing to lose since I had already gotten my PR. It would be a good time trial, two weeks after my record-busting 5K and two weeks until the 10K.
It just so happened that taking place on April 20 was the Building Tomorrows 5K in Brookdale Park, Bloomfield, N.J. Holy moly, that was my first ever 5K race, back in 2006. After coaching Alexis for her race, it felt natural to continue the nostalgia trip. Seven years after running this race as a beginner with a 22:51, it was time for me to come "home" as the improved runner I had become.
It all felt so right, entering the park where, in the years since, I have done much of my interval work (the track there is beautiful and well kept) and passed through in my 13-mile runs. This was now familiar territory for me - I knew every incline and decline of the park and would use it to my advantage.
For some reason, I thought the race went briefly outside the park in 2006, so it was surprising when we ended up running two loops. I blasted out with the front-runners and decided to simply go for it. Push, push, push, push. Worst case scenario, I poop out. No biggie. Best case scenario, another great race.
First mile in the 5:40s. Bam! Up the long incline on the lovely tree-lined path at the edges of the park, passing a few guys. Second mile -just over 12 minutes. Bounding downhill, not holding back. Pushing up that hill again with all my might, I vividly recalled the first time I did it, so long ago. Smiling, hurting, pushing all the while.
I could not believe my eyes at the finish line - 18:29. I just ran my second best 5K, two weeks after running my best. Who peaks like this at 38 years old?
Elated and unable to stop, I ran the loop again...and again. And when I finally stopped, back at the finish line where there was plenty of food, drink, music and good vibes, I felt like I had closed the circle from my first 5K to my 26th. I remembered feeling like I was finally really a runner at that very spot in April 2006. And now, I am better than ever.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Coaching Alexis
Years ago, when I first started running, I had an amazing mentor named Tim Norris. This veteran of 25 marathons and five ultras sat diagonal from me at the office. As I advanced from novice runner to marathoner, he was there, coaching me along. All I had to do was swivel my chair and I could get sage running advice from a guy that had done it all.
A friend and former co-worker that sat exactly the same distance from me before leaving the company last year told me via email in January that she was going to run the More Magazine Women's Half Marathon in April and needed my advice. It was my turn to be the mentor.
Alexis had never run more than a couple of miles without stopping and she was going to tackle 13.1 in mere months, so the first thing I did was direct her to HalHigdon.com for a suitable 12-week training plan.
During the course of the next three months, she emailed me with her progress and asked me about things like clothing, diet, remedies for aches and pains - all the things I asked Tim about when I ran my first half.
And I had answers! Lots of them! You should see our ever-growing emails as the weeks passed. As she gave me her account of each week's new triumph (Six miles! Seven! Eight!), I not only felt proud, but I felt her joy because I was suddenly transported to 2007 when I was in her shoes.
On April 14, I could not imagine being anywhere but at Central Park in New York City, cheering her on.
The race was huge (8,000 women) and yet very well organized. But it was tough finding a parking space, so I was not there for the start. And with so many runners, it was hard to find one person in the throng. But somewhere between the ninth and 10th mile marker, I saw Alexis. I yelled for her and ran with her a little bit, asking how she felt.
"Tired!" was her response, and she looked it as she chugged up the hill, but I knew she could do it and I told her so.
A half hour or so later, I waited near the finish line and saw a whole different Alexis. This Alexis was beaming, pushing to the finish with all her might. It was the look of triumph, the look of a goal attained, the look I must have had on my face in Long Branch six years ago. It was incredible. A few months ago, this woman was not even a runner. And now, 13.1 miles.
I hugged her, congratulated her and left her to celebrate with her family. After all, this was not about me. I gave her direction and helped her as much as I could, but Alexis' accomplishment is hers and hers alone. She had the drive to do it, and she did it. She would have done it with or without me.
Still, she kept thanking me for my help and encouragement. I felt like I had paid forward Tim's contributions to my running life. But doing so never felt like a chore. In fact, it made me feel really, really good. So maybe I should be thanking Alexis.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tragedy in Boston
What to say about today's tragedy at the Boston Marathon?
First thought - it is awful and brutal.
One could say that it is statistically a low-grade terrorist attack, with "only" two deaths among the several injured; that it does not compare to the death toll of recent tragedies. But that would be severely understating the impact and importance of this occurrence that will affect large races and any big-city event in Boston and elsewhere for years to come.
Two deaths are two too many. I still do not know if they were runners or spectators, but they were there for the common purpose of supporting and participating in the world's oldest annual marathon; an event steeped in tradition and prestige. My heart goes out to those who lost life or limb and their families and friends.
My heart also goes out to the tens of thousands of runners who worked their butts off to run qualifying marathons or raised money to run with a charities; who scraped up enough dough to get to Boston and get hotel rooms for the night; who spent a chilly morning at the Athletes' Village; who proudly stood in a corral at 10 a.m., ready to run the race that so many runners strive for. Today was supposed to be the culmination of that hard work, the most joyous day in their running lives. Even if they finished an hour before or an hour after the explosions, their memories of this occasion will be marred forever.
I am sure that the effect of this will ripple throughout the nationwide running community, and through Boston, for a long while. The running community is pretty strong with encouragement and good vibes. More than ever, we need to keep that attitude. But right now, I am feeling nothing but sadness.
Be well, Boston. We are all here for you.
P.S. I am OK, Steve. Thankfully, I was not in Boston today. I appreciate your concern, bud.
First thought - it is awful and brutal.
One could say that it is statistically a low-grade terrorist attack, with "only" two deaths among the several injured; that it does not compare to the death toll of recent tragedies. But that would be severely understating the impact and importance of this occurrence that will affect large races and any big-city event in Boston and elsewhere for years to come.
Two deaths are two too many. I still do not know if they were runners or spectators, but they were there for the common purpose of supporting and participating in the world's oldest annual marathon; an event steeped in tradition and prestige. My heart goes out to those who lost life or limb and their families and friends.
My heart also goes out to the tens of thousands of runners who worked their butts off to run qualifying marathons or raised money to run with a charities; who scraped up enough dough to get to Boston and get hotel rooms for the night; who spent a chilly morning at the Athletes' Village; who proudly stood in a corral at 10 a.m., ready to run the race that so many runners strive for. Today was supposed to be the culmination of that hard work, the most joyous day in their running lives. Even if they finished an hour before or an hour after the explosions, their memories of this occasion will be marred forever.
I am sure that the effect of this will ripple throughout the nationwide running community, and through Boston, for a long while. The running community is pretty strong with encouragement and good vibes. More than ever, we need to keep that attitude. But right now, I am feeling nothing but sadness.
Be well, Boston. We are all here for you.
P.S. I am OK, Steve. Thankfully, I was not in Boston today. I appreciate your concern, bud.
Monday, April 8, 2013
"Strides for HOPE" 5K
After six weeks of changing up my training mode from marathon to 5K, I ran the Strides for HOPE (Help Overcome Pediatric Epilepsy) 5K in Livingston.
To be honest, I really did not know what to expect. I am not that familiar with terrain of Livingston, so I did not know if it would be hilly. The weather would start out cold but warm up quickly, so it was tough to gauge what to wear. And with my recent Achilles tendon injury, I wondered if I would hold up.
So I went into it with the thought that I would strive for a PR, but I figured it was not going to realistically happen. I have all of April to keep shooting for it anyway.
The race was well organized - and this was an inaugural event. Kudos to the organizers, volunteers and supporters. Parking was easy, check-in was a breeze and the vibe was excellent. The cotton T-shirt was nicely designed, too.
OK, so there was a bit of a late start because they had some trouble getting the walkers out of the way of the course of where the runners would be, but it was fine. The morning was chilly, but the 10 a.m. sun was warming everyone up. Standing at the starting line for some extra time gave me a chance to size up the competition, too. I stood behind a kid that was clearly going to win the thing - thin, lithe, bursting with energy, I figured this kid had a 17-minute race in him. My goal, then, was to keep him in sight. That would surely net me a good race.
There were also some small children at the front of the lineup and though I do not think they belong there, they were excited and seemed to really want to get a fast start. I had no worries about trampling them because I started tailing the winner-to-be at the sound of the horn.
We started with a lap around the half-mile "oval" - a circular roadway with a grassy interior behind Livingston High School - and then it was onto the local roads. Sure enough, Speedy Kid was out in front. I passed the little girls and a few guys that seemed to be younger than my age group, settling into a fourth place spot by the time we got out of the oval. Once on the local streets, I passed a guy that seemed about my age. The age-group awards are always in mind when I run these races!
I can not praise the volunteer staff of this race enough. There were a lot of turns on short blocks for this race, with a portion that went off the road and around what I assume was the front and side of the high school. I paid little attention to my surroundings except to look at the volunteers pointing the way, which they did beautifully. By that time, I was in a distant second place with Speedy long out of sight, having made my move on a younger guy that was petering out on the uphills in the second mile. Hills are always where I make my move.
There were also volunteers calling out times at the mile markers - I nailed a 5:48 for my first mile (yes!), but I could not quite hear my second-mile time. The girl calling it out had a softer voice that did not penetrate through my intense concentration and the sound of my breathing reverberating in my head. I thought I heard "12:38", but I know that is not right. For a few seconds, I tried to do the math, but I could focus on nothing but pushing, pushing, pushing to keep my stride, imagining myself on the track, doing my 1:28 400-meter intervals. All I needed to know was that I had an eight second cushion from the first mile that could still get me a PR.
Back on the road, I could see Speedy way up in the distance, and as we turned back into the "oval", I slammed it into high gear - the kind of high gear that would surely end in hurting, but worth it for a final 800-meter sprint.
Speedy was finished and I kept my eyes on the balloons at the finish line. The spectators were cheering loudly for me and that kept me motivated. As I rounded the corner to the entrance road where the finish line was, I saw the clock hit 18:20. I was actually surprised! I had been pushing with all my might, lengthening my stride to the max, and those last few yards were going to make the difference between breaking my 18:30 PR or just missing it.
The clock ticked through the 18:20s for the longest, hardest eight seconds of my running life, but when I hit that line at 18:28, it blew my mind. A PR at my first 5K in 10 months. Wow.
I received a nifty plaque for coming in second place and spent some time talking with Speedy and his coach. That 15-year-old kid has some serious potential. I am going to look up his name and check up on him from time to time.
For the rest of the event, the organizers kept everyone entertained with a kids' fun run, costumed "Star Wars" characters (a Storm Trooper, an Imperial Guard and a Clone Trooper), and a ton of raffles for great prizes like an Ipad, a TV, and more.
This race has the potential to grow in future years. As an early April race for a great cause in a pleasant town in northern Essex County, it can become many northern New Jerseyans' gateway to the spring racing season.
To be honest, I really did not know what to expect. I am not that familiar with terrain of Livingston, so I did not know if it would be hilly. The weather would start out cold but warm up quickly, so it was tough to gauge what to wear. And with my recent Achilles tendon injury, I wondered if I would hold up.
So I went into it with the thought that I would strive for a PR, but I figured it was not going to realistically happen. I have all of April to keep shooting for it anyway.
The race was well organized - and this was an inaugural event. Kudos to the organizers, volunteers and supporters. Parking was easy, check-in was a breeze and the vibe was excellent. The cotton T-shirt was nicely designed, too.
OK, so there was a bit of a late start because they had some trouble getting the walkers out of the way of the course of where the runners would be, but it was fine. The morning was chilly, but the 10 a.m. sun was warming everyone up. Standing at the starting line for some extra time gave me a chance to size up the competition, too. I stood behind a kid that was clearly going to win the thing - thin, lithe, bursting with energy, I figured this kid had a 17-minute race in him. My goal, then, was to keep him in sight. That would surely net me a good race.
There were also some small children at the front of the lineup and though I do not think they belong there, they were excited and seemed to really want to get a fast start. I had no worries about trampling them because I started tailing the winner-to-be at the sound of the horn.
We started with a lap around the half-mile "oval" - a circular roadway with a grassy interior behind Livingston High School - and then it was onto the local roads. Sure enough, Speedy Kid was out in front. I passed the little girls and a few guys that seemed to be younger than my age group, settling into a fourth place spot by the time we got out of the oval. Once on the local streets, I passed a guy that seemed about my age. The age-group awards are always in mind when I run these races!
I can not praise the volunteer staff of this race enough. There were a lot of turns on short blocks for this race, with a portion that went off the road and around what I assume was the front and side of the high school. I paid little attention to my surroundings except to look at the volunteers pointing the way, which they did beautifully. By that time, I was in a distant second place with Speedy long out of sight, having made my move on a younger guy that was petering out on the uphills in the second mile. Hills are always where I make my move.
There were also volunteers calling out times at the mile markers - I nailed a 5:48 for my first mile (yes!), but I could not quite hear my second-mile time. The girl calling it out had a softer voice that did not penetrate through my intense concentration and the sound of my breathing reverberating in my head. I thought I heard "12:38", but I know that is not right. For a few seconds, I tried to do the math, but I could focus on nothing but pushing, pushing, pushing to keep my stride, imagining myself on the track, doing my 1:28 400-meter intervals. All I needed to know was that I had an eight second cushion from the first mile that could still get me a PR.
Back on the road, I could see Speedy way up in the distance, and as we turned back into the "oval", I slammed it into high gear - the kind of high gear that would surely end in hurting, but worth it for a final 800-meter sprint.
Speedy was finished and I kept my eyes on the balloons at the finish line. The spectators were cheering loudly for me and that kept me motivated. As I rounded the corner to the entrance road where the finish line was, I saw the clock hit 18:20. I was actually surprised! I had been pushing with all my might, lengthening my stride to the max, and those last few yards were going to make the difference between breaking my 18:30 PR or just missing it.
The clock ticked through the 18:20s for the longest, hardest eight seconds of my running life, but when I hit that line at 18:28, it blew my mind. A PR at my first 5K in 10 months. Wow.
I received a nifty plaque for coming in second place and spent some time talking with Speedy and his coach. That 15-year-old kid has some serious potential. I am going to look up his name and check up on him from time to time.
For the rest of the event, the organizers kept everyone entertained with a kids' fun run, costumed "Star Wars" characters (a Storm Trooper, an Imperial Guard and a Clone Trooper), and a ton of raffles for great prizes like an Ipad, a TV, and more.
This race has the potential to grow in future years. As an early April race for a great cause in a pleasant town in northern Essex County, it can become many northern New Jerseyans' gateway to the spring racing season.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Time for the short races
It is April. It has been six weeks since the Central Park Marathon. It is time to kick into gear with some short races.
Usually, when I do the post-marathon training, I am excited to change up my training program, trading long distance for short sprints, endurance for speed. But after four grueling weeks of track intervals, tempo runs and sub-6:00 mile blasts, I was hurting in so many places - my Achilles tendon, my quads, my back, even my groin.
Is it worth it? I do not even know. I just know that this is what I have been doing for six years. Now in my late 30s, I think it is logical to assume that my fastest 5Ks are behind me, so why do I keep reaching for a 5:56 pace?
The only answer with which I can come up is "Why not?"
If I train for it, but do not actually achieve it, then at least I know I put my all into it; that I tried, to the best of my ability. Why not set the bar high?
So tomorrow I will run the Strides for Hope 5K in Livingston. (http://saintbarnabasfoundation.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=574)
And I am going to run as fast as I can. Otherwise, why bother racing at all?
Usually, when I do the post-marathon training, I am excited to change up my training program, trading long distance for short sprints, endurance for speed. But after four grueling weeks of track intervals, tempo runs and sub-6:00 mile blasts, I was hurting in so many places - my Achilles tendon, my quads, my back, even my groin.
Is it worth it? I do not even know. I just know that this is what I have been doing for six years. Now in my late 30s, I think it is logical to assume that my fastest 5Ks are behind me, so why do I keep reaching for a 5:56 pace?
The only answer with which I can come up is "Why not?"
If I train for it, but do not actually achieve it, then at least I know I put my all into it; that I tried, to the best of my ability. Why not set the bar high?
So tomorrow I will run the Strides for Hope 5K in Livingston. (http://saintbarnabasfoundation.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=574)
And I am going to run as fast as I can. Otherwise, why bother racing at all?
Friday, April 5, 2013
Hands on a Hardbody - an honestly skewed review
I saw 'Hands on a Hardbody', the new Broadway musical co-written by Trey Anastasio during previews, about a month ago.
I saw it pretty much because of that co-writer (natch).
But over the past five years I have developed an unexpected appreciation for musical theater, thanks to my relationship with Karen - a singer and actress in many New Jersey community theater productions. In the time I have known her, I have seen community productions of "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" (both of which starred Karen), "Into the Woods", "Kiss Me Kate", "Next to Normal", "Clue" and "Godspell" and I have enjoyed all of them thoroughly. I even listen to the Broadway channel on Sirius XM on a semi-regular basis.
And, of course, I am a Phish fan. So it made all the sense in the world to finally go see a real Broadway show because it was this Broadway show. (For the record, I am a fan of Green Day, and they almost got me there with 'American Idiot').
Here is the funny thing - as much as I enjoyed 'Hardbody', it did not really feel like a Broadway show. I was in New York City, at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, watching an honest-to-goodness BROADWAY show, and I could not help but think, "This would make a great community theater production."
In the weeks since, I have read a bunch of reviews, some positive, some negative, most somewhere in between, and I seem to agree with all of them. It does feel too small to be on Broadway alongside such monumental spectacles that are occuring down the block. But it also is engaging, joyful, funny, touching and entertaining.
As for the music, what is not to like about music written by Trey Anastasio?
Am I biased? You bet! But so what? To criticize the fact that I went into it already a fan of the writer is silly. I am not a professional reviewer, so why would I go see any show (theater or otherwise) by someone I did NOT like?
If you are a Phish fan, go see 'Hardbody' because no matter how else you feel about a show that involves a bunch of people standing around the truck, you are going to like the music.
Sometimes it sounds like Phish - the opening number has a nice funk groove and "I'm Gone" has all the makings of a great Trey ballad.
Sometimes it IS Phish - "My Problem Right There" and "Burn That Bridge" have been played by Phish and Trey's solo band.
Sometimes there is no resemblence but there is a certain vibe that just feels familiar and like home - the uplifting final number "Keep Your Hands on It" will make you feel all warm and fuzzy.
And because any good phan will be honestly critical, I will say there is one clunker of a tune called "It's a Fix". Hey, occasionally, you get a bad tune at a Phish show, too (if I never hear "Lifeboy" again, my life will not lack for it).
Plus, the actors seem to be putting their all into it and that truck, being the only stage prop of note, becomes quite the centerpiece as it is moved and shifted and turned throughout the show.
The show bills itself as a new musical "Made in America" and that is no joke. Every facet of every story told by every cast member is so distinctly American it is impossible not to relate to at least one of the characters. It may take place in Texas, but its sentiment is thoroughly nationwide.
And hey, if you do not want to cough up Broadway prices for such a simple show, worry not - in a couple of years, I bet it will be playing at your local community theater. I am sure it will be just as good.
I saw it pretty much because of that co-writer (natch).
But over the past five years I have developed an unexpected appreciation for musical theater, thanks to my relationship with Karen - a singer and actress in many New Jersey community theater productions. In the time I have known her, I have seen community productions of "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" (both of which starred Karen), "Into the Woods", "Kiss Me Kate", "Next to Normal", "Clue" and "Godspell" and I have enjoyed all of them thoroughly. I even listen to the Broadway channel on Sirius XM on a semi-regular basis.
And, of course, I am a Phish fan. So it made all the sense in the world to finally go see a real Broadway show because it was this Broadway show. (For the record, I am a fan of Green Day, and they almost got me there with 'American Idiot').
Here is the funny thing - as much as I enjoyed 'Hardbody', it did not really feel like a Broadway show. I was in New York City, at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, watching an honest-to-goodness BROADWAY show, and I could not help but think, "This would make a great community theater production."
In the weeks since, I have read a bunch of reviews, some positive, some negative, most somewhere in between, and I seem to agree with all of them. It does feel too small to be on Broadway alongside such monumental spectacles that are occuring down the block. But it also is engaging, joyful, funny, touching and entertaining.
As for the music, what is not to like about music written by Trey Anastasio?
Am I biased? You bet! But so what? To criticize the fact that I went into it already a fan of the writer is silly. I am not a professional reviewer, so why would I go see any show (theater or otherwise) by someone I did NOT like?
If you are a Phish fan, go see 'Hardbody' because no matter how else you feel about a show that involves a bunch of people standing around the truck, you are going to like the music.
Sometimes it sounds like Phish - the opening number has a nice funk groove and "I'm Gone" has all the makings of a great Trey ballad.
Sometimes it IS Phish - "My Problem Right There" and "Burn That Bridge" have been played by Phish and Trey's solo band.
Sometimes there is no resemblence but there is a certain vibe that just feels familiar and like home - the uplifting final number "Keep Your Hands on It" will make you feel all warm and fuzzy.
And because any good phan will be honestly critical, I will say there is one clunker of a tune called "It's a Fix". Hey, occasionally, you get a bad tune at a Phish show, too (if I never hear "Lifeboy" again, my life will not lack for it).
Plus, the actors seem to be putting their all into it and that truck, being the only stage prop of note, becomes quite the centerpiece as it is moved and shifted and turned throughout the show.
The show bills itself as a new musical "Made in America" and that is no joke. Every facet of every story told by every cast member is so distinctly American it is impossible not to relate to at least one of the characters. It may take place in Texas, but its sentiment is thoroughly nationwide.
And hey, if you do not want to cough up Broadway prices for such a simple show, worry not - in a couple of years, I bet it will be playing at your local community theater. I am sure it will be just as good.
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